We strive to live

How Jesus lived

We practice yearly covenant membership, around the affirmation of these five core values: 

  1. Affirm that Jesus Christ is Lord.
  2. Affirm that we are prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit’s ongoing guidance.
  3. Affirm the practice of believers baptism.  
  4. Affirm that the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective is our confession. 
  5. Affirm that Scripture is authoritative, while recognizing differences in interpretation. 

We are a member of Mennonite Church USA. Click here to learn more about our denominational community. 

Mission Statement

A worshiping community rooted in God’s love:
   Following Jesus
   Seeking peace and justice
   Serving others

Adopted on May 21, 2023

Vision Statement

We envision...

  • a discipling church that nurtures our children, youth, and adults in Scripture, and equips them to become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ, growing in love for God, neighbors, and self (Matthew 28: 19-20)      
  • a witnessing church that embodies and shares Christ’s global message of forgiveness, peacemaking, and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5: 18-20)
  • a worshiping church that delights in praising God through music and song, service and work, and every other part of our lives (Colossians 3: 16-17)
  • a welcoming church that generously extends hospitality to newcomers and makes our facilities available throughout the week for local ministries (Romans 15: 7)
  • a community-building church that works intentionally to deepen loving and accountable relationships among our dispersed attenders (Acts 2: 46-47)
  • a discerning church that prayerfully seeks God’s will for us corporately and individually (Romans 12: 1-2)
  • a sending church committed to planting or supporting other congregations and equipping our young people and others for service and ministry beyond our congregation (Philippians 4: 15-16)

Adopted on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005.

Ministry Team

The Ministry Team is the leadership body of our church, overseeing the day-to-day life and spiritual care of the congregation. Current members are: Sharon Ewert (Moderator Co-Chair); Jeremy Kropf (Administrative Co-Chair); Richard Gehring, Barbara Krehbiel Gehring, and Nathan Perrin (Pastors); Ruth Quiroa (Lay Minister of Christian Formation); Mona Richards (Lay Minister of Community Life); Jamie Huff (Lay Minister of Mission); and Pam Eiten (Lay Minister of Worship).

Richard Gehring

Richard serves as co-lead pastor, with primary ministries in preaching, worship, and administration. He and Barbara share a 1.25 pastoral position at LMC, which began on May 15, 2019. Richard received his Master of Divinity degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. His long career in ministry has included pastorates and co-pastorates in South Dakota and Kansas, as well as serving with Barb and their daughters in Trinidad and Tobago with Mennonite Mission Network. Richard has an avid interest in Anabaptist history and is committed to issues of peace and justice. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies, and biking.

Office hours: 1-5 PM Tuesday, 9 AM-5 PM Thursday and Friday

richardg@lombardmennonite.org
Barbara Krehbiel Gehring

Barbara shares the lead pastor position with Richard, with primary ministries in pastoral care, spiritual direction, preaching, and worship. She received her Master of Social Work degree from University of Illinois-Chicago, and has a certificate in theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Barbara began her career as a counselor before transitioning to a 20-year co-pastorate with Richard at a congregation in Kansas. She is a certified spiritual director and is committed to fostering faith formation in others. She enjoys watching movies, reading—she and Richard will often read novels together—and tandem biking in her spare time.

Office hours: 9 AM-12 PM Tuesday, 9 AM-5 PM Wednesday and Friday

barbkg@lombardmennonite.org
Nathan Perrin

Nathan serves as pastor of Christian Formation, working with the congregation as a whole in Christian Formation, with a particular emphasis on children and youth. His half-time pastoral position at LMC began on July 15, 2021. Nathan received his MA in Theology from Barclay College and is currently studying for his Doctor of Theological Ministry at Northern Seminary. His career in ministry has included a pastorate in Wisconsin, as well as serving as a program director for a non-profit. Nathan is passionate about doing holistic ministry within the community—addressing issues such as systemic racism and poverty while preaching a Gospel that seeks to save mind, body, and soul. In his free time, he enjoys collecting vinyl, writing, and reading.

Office hours: 9 AM-12 PM, Tuesday thru Friday

nathanp@lombardmennonite.org
Katharine Richert

Katharine serves as our office manager. She's been at LMC since 2004.

Office hours: 9 AM-5 PM, Monday thru Friday

office@lombardmennonite.org

About Mennonites

Mennonites are a Christian denomination and part of the historic peace church movement. We have a strong sense of community, seek simplicity in our lifestyles, emphasize Jesus’ message of peace,  and witness to creative nonviolence.

Anabaptist/Mennonite Christians tend to shape beliefs around these core values:

  • Jesus is the center of our faith.
  • Community is the center of our lives.
  • Reconciliation is the center of our work.

More detailed information can be found here.