Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center consist of individuals who have a passion for peace and reconciliation in the church. Coming from different denominations, backgrounds, and faith experiences, our Board Members demonstrate a breadth of experience in the peace world.
They are trusted with the responsibility of being a Board Member because of their commitment to LMPC through their participation in trainings, their commitment to advocating for congregational peace, and their various accomplishments.
Andrew Geddert
Andrew developed his understanding of and passion for peacebuilding while serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Ukraine from 2015-2020. He served in Ukraine as Peace Resource Person and then as Country Representative, together with his wife Katie. Andrew is a clinical psychologist by training with a specialty in trauma therapy. Andrew and his family are actively involved at Living Water Community Church in Chicago (affiliated with Mennonite Church USA) in which four different language groups worship together each Sunday.
Deborah Suess
Deborah Suess was raised in the Midwest but has lived in Greensboro, NC for over 15 years. She first encountered LMPC by being part of Clergy Clinic back in 2012. Deborah has served pastoral Friends (Quaker) meetings for over 25 years and is currently working as an Intentional Interim Minister at a UCC congregation in Burlington, NC. She recently completed the week-long Meditation Skills Training Institute and continues to deeply appreciate the mission and ministry of LMPC. Deborah’s undergraduate degree was in Family Services from Iowa State University and she received her M.Div from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana. Deborah and her husband Tim Jackson have recently enjoyed road trips around the southeast and are always looking for unique locally-owned restaurants to try.
Jarvis Hochstedler
Jarvis is an ordained Mennonite minister and board certified chaplain with over 30 years of experience. A 1983 graduate of LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles, CA, he has served the church at many levels from Youth For Christ director to senior pastor in Nebraska and Indiana. For the past fourteen years he has served Sunnyside Village, a Mennonite owned senior living community, as campus pastor and chaplain. Besides serving on the board for the past three years, he has been involved with Lombard Mennonite Peace Center for twelve years through Clergy Clinic, Advanced Clergy Clinic and Mediation Skills Training Institute. Jarvis is married to Ruby (47 years) and they have two grown children and five grandchildren. They currently live in the Sarasota, Florida area.
Jeff Hochstetler
Jeff is the lead pastor at Berlin Mennonite Church in Berlin, Ohio. A graduate of Goshen College (IN) and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Jeff sees peace and reconciliation as central the Gospel. He has come to love the rolling hills of Eastern Ohio and enjoys baking bread. Jeff lives with his wife in Berlin where they raise their three children.
Pamela Kaufmann
Pam lives in Tiskilwa, IL and attends Willow Springs Mennonite Church. She has retired from her position in social work at a long term care facility. Pam enjoys travel, reading, gardening and music.