Staff Showcase

Barb Christian • November 18, 2024

Staff Showcase: Barb Christian, Preschool Director

I have deep roots here at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church as my great-great-grandparents donated land on the corner of Lahmeyer and Trier roads to build the very first St. Peter’s Church. I became a part of the St. Peter’s family when I was baptized in November of 1968. Growing up, I remember following the service in the red hymnal beside my grandma and being confirmed at the end of my eighth-grade year. I participated in the young adult choir, helped with VBS, and taught Sunday school.

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher like my older sister. After college, I was blessed to teach with her at St. John’s Lutheran School in Kendallville, IN. I spent 8 years teaching second grade there. It was in Kendallville that I met my husband, Mark. Together we have been blessed with three wonderful daughters, Grace, Laura, and Anna. I took a year off from teaching when we had Grace, but stepped back into the world of education just a year later by teaching preschool both at Our Hope Lutheran in Huntertown, IN and back “home” at St. Peter’s. I have been teaching at St. Peter’s ever since. I taught both 3s and 4s through the years and then accepted the position of preschool director in the fall of 2019.

As the preschool director, I am blessed to get to know the students and their families, and to share the love of Jesus with them. I love that I get to know them at the beginning of their school experience and to watch them grow up. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who share my love of Jesus and work well together as a family.

When I am not working as the preschool director, I enjoy spending time with my family, summer, hanging out at the pool, traveling, and helping my brother and his wife with their ice cream business. I am very blessed in so many aspects of my life, and am thankful to God for all that He gives me and for leading me to the ministry of St. Peter’s.

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Staffing Updates

By Pastor Danny Eggold • November 12, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I hope this note finds you well and encouraged in the Lord. St. Peter’s continues to be a place where God is at work through our preschool, school, various ministries, and the daily faithfulness of His people. I am grateful to serve the Lord with you in this place! As we continue to serve together, I want to update you on changes in our church office and ministry staff. As many of you know, Michelle Leahy has been serving as our “Interim Director of Operations,” providing support and coordination across many areas of congregational life. In the coming weeks, Michelle will be stepping into a new role, “Executive Director.” This means her work will shift from hands-on ministry support to more administrative leadership and oversight of the church office, properties, finances, and technology. This is an important step for us as a congregation as we continue to support our staff and serve our members. With this change, we want to ensure that daily ministry needs are met. After reviewing our current staffing and budget, we can make an adjustment that supports the ongoing ministry without increasing costs. To that end, Kami Jo Mogelvang will expand her role to serve as “Church Ministry Coordinator.” Many of you have already seen Kami Jo assisting Pastor McDowell in youth ministry two days each week. Under the new alignment, she will: Continue serving in youth ministry, and Help coordinate ministry efforts and volunteer connections with Pastor Nate and Pastor McDowell across the congregation. This will help us strengthen volunteer support and the many “connecting points” that help our church family care for one another. As Kami Jo transitions out of her receptionist duties, this change will open about 18 hours per week at the front desk, which we have posted. This staffing arrangement stays within our approved 2025 budget. I am thankful for Michelle, Kami Jo, our staff, and all our volunteers. I also appreciate the spirit of grace and partnership that marks our congregation. Please keep our staff and ministry leaders in your prayers as we move through these transitions. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for the privilege of serving Christ with you! In Christ, Pastor Danny Eggold St. Peter’s Lutheran Church & School