Pastor: Rev. Christen Pettit Miller M.Div. graduated from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1998, and before that, from Manchester College with a degree in English. After leaving seminary, she pastored at Manchester Church of the Brethren. She then completed a residency in chaplaincy and was on staff with Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in 2005. The Reverend has been a board certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains and is an ordained minister in the UCC. She is passionate about seeking out those liminal spaces where the divine and the sacred mingle in our daily, ordinary lives.

Administrator: Janet Welch joined the staff of Peace UCC in September 2022. Previously, she was the Administrative Assistant at First Baptist Church of Fort Wayne for 6 years and continues working there one day a week. She is also a Deacon and Church Council Secretary at First Baptist. Janet grew up Baptist and graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School. Later, she went on to get a degree in Veterinary Technology and pursued that career for many years until God had other plans for her. She lives on her family farm with a menagerie of animals.

Choir Director: Jan Reams has led the Celebration Choir since 2013. Previously, she was the choir director at Faith United Church of Christ. Jan is passionate about integrating the worship service so that song, story, and scripture all flow seamlessly as we worship God.

Organist: Dennis Bowman has been an important part of the ministry of Peace Church since 2006, playing both the organ and piano for us. He's been playing piano since early childhood and was raised on the "old-time" gospel hymns, Dennis weaves both traditional and contemporary music together to create a diverse worship experience. He is also an Advanced Master Gardener through Purdue University and works as a florist by day. Dennis is passionate about the ways in which the Spirit moves through the experience of music.

Children's Worship Director: Lorie Krouse has been involved in music activities since she began piano lessons in the first grade. She works with Bekki Vail to help craft music and arts opportunities for the children at church. Lorie is active in both of Peace UCC's adult choirs and accompanies Homestead High School's choirs. Lorie previously led the Peace UCC's KinderMusik program and is passionate about making children feel like they are an important part of music and worship.

Children's Education and Music Director: Bekki Vail is a charter member of the church as her father, John Krueger, founded Peace UCC. Bekki has taught public middle and high school science for 27 years. She works with Lorie Krouse to help craft music and arts opportunities for the children at church. Bekki is passionate about the miraculous ways science and God work together and making wonder and laughter a part of the curriculum at church.

Preschool Director: Sara Siefert graduated from Ball State University with a BA in Early Childhood Education in 2003. After graduation Sara worked for Early Childhood Alliance in the Parents as Teachers program, working with parents, child care centers, and preschools on child development. From there Sara went to Easter Seals Arc and worked with the Healthy Families program, home visiting with families and teaching child development. This job sparked an interest in social work, and Sara spent the next 13 years at Positive Resource Connection, where she eventually became the Director of Client Services. Sara felt compelled to return to her roots of education after the long hiatus while working in a corporate setting. In the Fall of 2022, Sara choose the role of the Director of CNS to return to early childhood education. . Sara has had 3 of her children attend CNS and was drawn to work here by the teacher’s compassion for all children, the school’s education and guidance philosophy, and the church’s openness and inclusivity. Sara and her husband live in Fort Wayne with their 4 children, and in her spare time she enjoys knitting, yoga, and cooking.

Board Members