Our Staff
Pastor Caleb
Head of Staff
Pastor Caleb Suydam has been Park Church’s solo pastor and head of staff since 2017. Caleb was born and raised in Farmington, Illinois, where he grew up as part of First Presbyterian Church there. He graduated from Northern Illinois University, and after many years of running from the sense of call he had been feeling, finally admitted that God was calling him to pastoral ministry, and he enrolled in the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. After graduation, he married his wife, Jennifer Suydam (a fellow UDTS student), and began serving as the pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada, Iowa, where he served until being called to Park Church.
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“There is often this misconception that pastors are somehow ‘Super-Christians.’ Like they’ve got a more direct line to God than anybody else, and like they’ve got this whole faith business totally figured out. But the truth is, we’re people like everybody else, and we are oftentimes struggling through our faith like any other person trying to follow Christ. The only real difference is that we’ve had more education and training in theology, etc. I think one of the great privileges of being a pastor is getting to struggle and work through this alongside other Christians who are trying to do the same thing and being able to use your training to help others along the way.”
Gigi Lansford
Administrative Assistant
Gigi joined the Park Church staff in 2023. Born and raised in Streator, she graduated from Streator High, then attended Illinois Wesleyan University and later earned an MBA degree from Lewis University. Work experience includes 35 years at St. Mary’s Hospital as a nurse and IT manager.
Baptized, confirmed, and married at Park Presbyterian, Gigi is an active church member. Over the years, she has served as a Deacon, Elder, Clerk of Session and is passionate about children’s programs such as VBS and Kids’ Night Out. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be of service in the church office.”
Gigi’s love of Streator is evident in her community service and support of local charities and the arts. Shecurrently serves as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and assists with the Ministerial Association Community Thanksgiving dinner. Without doubt, Gigi’s most important role is being a proud “Nana” encouraging her grandkids in academic pursuits and cheering them on at sporting events.
Kara Doehling
Treasurer
Kara joined the Park Church staff in 2024. She was born and raised in rural Streator and was baptized and confirmed at Park Church. Kara graduated from Streator High School, then attended Northern Illinois University, graduating in 2003 with a B.S. in Accountancy, B.A. in German Language and Literature and minor in Military Science. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Army and served five years on Active Duty and two years in the Reserves.
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During her time in the Army, Kara met her husband, Steven. They were married in 2010 and welcomed a son, Riley, later that year and a daughter, Reagan, in 2013. The family moved often and saw much of the world. Steven retired from the Army in 2021 and the family moved back to Illinois, settling in Putnam County.
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When Kara is not at Park, she also works as the Executive Assistant for Illinois State Chapter P.E.O., serves various volunteer roles in organizations including P.E.O. Chapter IC (Streator), Park Church Deacons, Putnam County Music Boosters, Richwoods Youth Baseball Association and Girls Scouts and ferries her children around to athletic and extracurricular activities.
Kara enjoys gardening, quilting, cooking/baking and spending time with her family and friends.
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Beth Loving
Financial Secretary
I have been a member of Park Church my whole life, having been baptized by Rev. Smith on Easter Sunday 1953. I was confirmed by Rev. Stanton in 1966 and Rev. Beenken performed our marriage ceremony in 1978.
I was married to Glenn Loving for 39 years and am now a widow. I have three daughters, three sons-in-law and four grandchildren. All of them live fairly close and we spend a lot of time together.
I attended SHS and ISU where I received a degree in Business Education. I worked several years as a Legal Secretary for a couple of law firms until we moved back to Streator to begin farming. We farmed with my parents until they retired then took over the family operation. Additionally, we had a candy making business, Loving Touch Brittle. For 35 years we made peanut, pecan and cashew brittle which we sold in multiple locations. For 13 years I worked from home as the Secretary-Treasurer of an insurance company. I substitute taught for local schools for about 10 years. For the past 15 years I have been the Eagle Township Assessor. I’ll retire from that job in December. I have been the Financial Secretary at Park Church since 2008.
I still live on the family farm which is operated by a neighbor tenant. My hobbies include gardening, food preservation, crocheting, baking and genealogy.
Nancy Mueller
Organist
Nancy is the organist at Park Church. She studied pipe organ at Illinois Wesleyan with Lillian Meherle McCord. Nancy has been providing music at Park since 2012.
Troy Galyen
Kathy Tombaugh
Custodian
Pianist
Jenny Suydam
Choir Director
