Rev. Barbara Lohrbach is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ serving Zion United Church of Christ in Gilman, Illinois. Barbara’s greatest joy in life is her family. She and her husband, Dean, are parents to Rev. Sarah Lohrbach of Mundelein IL and Dave & Val Lohrbach and grandson, Liam of Ashkum IL.
Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene
University. She taught public school music for 11 years. Feeling a call to ministry, Barbara became a licensed UCC Minister at Immanuel UCC and then earned a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2002. Barbara was ordained on June 9, 2002, at Immanuel UCC, Peotone.
Barbara has served as Pastor of Youth and Music at Immanuel UCC in Peotone, as Pastor of HOPE UCC in Naperville and as pastor at St. John UCC, Kankakee. After 17 years with the people of St. John, she retired from St. John at the end of 2021.
On January 1 st , 2025, Barbara began a bridge pastorate at Zion, and on May 1st she accepted the congregation’s call to serve them part-time so she can still be semi-retired!
Barbara grew up on a farm in central Illinois, so the Gilman community feels very familiar. Music is a big part of her life and in 2006 and 2010, Barbara had the great blessing of recording albums with Ken Medema, renowned blind musician. Ken arranged the music and sings with Barbara as well as being the accompaniment musician. Ken was also commissioned to write a choral anthem for Barbara’s ordination. Check out Ken’s music at <link>www.kenmedema.com</link>.
Barbara served the Illinois Conference directing church camp for over 20 years at Tower Hill Camp and Pilgrim Park Camp. She currently is the chair of the Eastern Association Committee on Ministry. In 2024, Barbara received the Chalice Award from the Illinois Conference United Church of Christ for her service to the camps and her leadership in the Association and Conference.
Relationships are a key part of Barbara’s pastoral identity. Getting to know people and their families, their joys and sorrows, and their stories is where her gifts are best realized. She hopes to help the people of Zion United Church of Christ continue to build lasting relationships as they serve God in this community.
