About | Mission | Leadership | Pastors | Mennonites
We strive to live how Jesus lived
We practice yearly covenant membership, around the affirmation of these five core values:
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
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: Caroline Steelberg (Moderator Co-Chair); Jeremy Kropf (Administrative Co-Chair); Richard Gehring, Barbara Krehbiel Gehring, and Nathan Perrin (Pastors); Elise Ewert (Lay Minister of Christian Formation); Jill Yordy Stasch (Lay Minister of Community Life); Jamie Huff (Lay Minister of Mission); and Joe Hayward (Lay Minister of Worship).
Meet the Staff
Richard Gehring (he/him)
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
Barbara Krehbiel Gehring (she/her)
Barbara serves as co-lead pastor, with primary ministries in pastoral care, spiritual direction, preaching, and worship. She and Richard share a 1.25 pastoral position at LMC, which began on May 15, 2019. Barbara received her Master of Social Work degree from University of Illinois-Chicago, and has a certificate in theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She began her career as a counselor before transitioning to a 20-year co-pastorate with Richard at a congregation in Kansas. Barbara 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
Nathan Perrin (he/him)
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
Katharine Richert (she/her)
Katharine serves as our office manager. She’s been at LMC since 2004.
Office hours: 9 AM-5 PM, Monday thru Friday
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:
More detailed information can be found here.