Human Relations Commission
"Reaching the Heart of the Community"
Doug Carlson was born in Boston, Massachusetts and spent most of his childhood years in upstate New York. He graduated from Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1979 and was married to Judy McGlamery in 1982. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and his Master’s Degree from Moody Graduate School in Chicago. Doug Carlson has been in full-time pastoral ministry for more than twenty-five years. Since 2002, he has been the Senior Pastor at Grace Missionary Church in Zion, Illinois, a church whose vision is “Heart for the City.” He is a member of several agencies and committees in the area, including the Exchange Club of Zion-Benton. He is also a volunteer chaplain with the Zion Police and Fire and Rescue Departments, and a member of the Care Net Board of Directors. Pastor Carlson currently serves as President of the Zion-Benton Ministerial Association (ZBMA).
He has coached community and home-school soccer teams for many years. He taught Bible at Algoma Christian School in Kent City, Michigan for four years. Pastor Carlson enjoys walking, running, playing tennis, and spending as much time as possible reading. Doug and Judy Carlson have five children, all of whom reside in Zion and work at the church where Doug pastors. Commitment to Zion is a family affair for the Carlsons! Pastor Doug is honored to be serving on the Human Relations Commission and sees this membership as a logical extension of his and his church’s ongoing partnership with local government, school district and community service agencies to help bring people together as we seek to see Zion transformed.
