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. 

News & Notes

By Call Committee August 4, 2025
The Call Committee received the following letter from Pastor Eggold on Saturday, August 2nd.
By Pastor Adam McDowell August 4, 2025
Join us this weekend as we celebrate Christian Education Weekend and welcome back our teachers to their classrooms as well as our newest teacher, Hollie Johnson.
By Pastor Adam McDowell August 4, 2025
Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell
July 28, 2025
Hey's St. Peter's! How's your summer going? We want to know!
July 28, 2025
A Lifetime of Love
By Pastor Nate Widener July 28, 2025
St. Peter’s Family, My wife Amy and I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for the outpouring of love you have shown us over the last several weeks. This past weekend, my oldest daughter Gwyn was married to our wonderful son-in-law Benjamin Corley, and we couldn’t be happier. But, what made it all the sweeter was seeing so many of your caring and supportive faces in the congregation. Similarly, as you know, just a few short weeks ago I lost my father, Nick Widener, and I cannot express to you the depth of my thankfulness for all of the condolences that you have given me and my family. Your cards are all sitting on the windowsill of my office. Without question St. Peter’s is a loving and caring congregation, and this is part of what makes you so great. Thank you for taking care of us, so that we can also take care of you. May God Bless you, Pastor Nate
By Pastor Adam McDowell July 28, 2025
Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell
By Barb Christian July 28, 2025
As we begin our new preschool year, we will need some supplies. It takes a lot of glue, markers and paint to keep preschoolers busy. Please consider taking a letter or two from our “Giving Tree”. Each letter is labeled with a needed supply item to be donated. Once you have shopped, you can return the item(s) to the tree. Thank you for your generosity as you bless our preschool. You are truly appreciated!
July 21, 2025
Hey's St. Peter's! How's your summer going? We want to know!
By HSYG July 21, 2025
St. Peter’s Youth head to “The Big Easy”