Dr. John Purk was educated in catholic schools by the Dominicans and the Brothers of the Society of Mary in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1973 he graduated with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 1977 he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
After graduation he served for one year as a dentist on a Kickapoo Indian Reservation and for five years in a dental clinic in the Inner City of Kansas City. During this time he engaged in a search for deeper spiritual meaning by praying the Rosary and had life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Soon after he became a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) http://societyofourlady.net/ , a Society of Apostolic Life, composed of priests, religious and lay members who serve on ecclesial teams in areas of deep apostolic need, seeking to bring all peoples into union with the Most Holy Trinity. SOLT has missions in 10 countries throughout the world, including Mexico, the Philippines and Macau, China. He was formed in the spiritual life by Rev. James Flanagan, the founder of SOLT. He is presently the North American Regional Lay Servant for the community.
In 1983 he opened his private dental practice and concurrently joined the faculty at the School of Dentistry at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He subsequently received his Ph.D. in Oral Biology/Engineering in 2002 from UMKC and he continues to do advanced research on resin composites.
He is also a member of St Agnes Parish in Roeland Park, Kansas where he and his wife Patty prepare engaged couples for marriage. He is a facilitator trainer for Imago Dei, (http://www.imagodei-tob.org/home.html) which trains people to study John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. He is involved in the formation of laity in the spiritual life in SOLT. He gives parish retreats and has produced 3 DVD’s on “The Theology of the Body”, “The Three Conversions in the Spiritual Life” and “The Scripture Rosary” http://www.scripturerosary.com/ .
In 2005 he was asked by Bishop Robert Finn to represent the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph on the popular radio program, “Religion on the Line”. Dr. Purk is a father, spouse, dentist, scientist, and lay missionary. He sees a harmony between faith and reason and science and faith. Holiness is found in the midst of the world in one’s ordinary work and interactions with others.
Dr. Purk is married to Patty Jordan Purk and they have seven children, five girls and two boys.
