Transformation Through Reconciliation

Staff Members

Judy Dabler, President, is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary. Judy earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri. Judy travels nationally and internationally to teach, provide counseling and mediation services, and consults with churches and ministries seeking to establish counseling and reconciliation centers. Judy also serves as instructor of counseling at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, visiting professor in practical theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, and instructor and mentor for Peacemaker Ministries. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri and is a Certified Christian Conciliator™ with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. Judy (with co-author Tara Barthel) has published Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict (Baker Books, 2005).

Joani Nester, Director of Counseling Services, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Arizona State University. She has extensive experience as a former counselor, administrator, and board member of the Greater St. Louis Pregnancy Resource Centers. Joani is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri and is a Certified Christian Conciliator™ with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. She assists the president with the management of ministry operations and has many years of professional experience working with conflicted marriages, families, singles, and teenagers providing counseling and mediation services.

John Richardson, Director of Reconciliation Services, holds a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from Taylor University. He has nearly twenty years of pastoral experience and is a Certified Christian Conciliator with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. John is passionate about building authentic relationships and genuine Christian community. He guides individuals, couples, families, churches and organizations through conflict by offering biblical counseling, mediation and educational services. When not mediating, John draws on his previous experience as a national Small Group Trainer with NavPress to teach seminars and provide training. John preaches regularly, coaches pastors and ministry leaders, and serves as a consultant to churches and Christian businesses, specializing in leadership development and strategic planning.

Marianne Burke, Counseling Resident, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Educational Psychology from Randolph-Macon Woman's College, with additional graduate work in early childhood education from the State University of New York, Binghamton. She has extensive experience as a former teacher and day care administrator, including four years teaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). Marianne is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri and a candidate for certification as a Certified Christian Conciliator™ with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. She is the Intake Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the President. Her counseling interests include divorce recovery, domestic violence, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, and conflict.

Aimee Silva, Counseling Resident, has completed the requirements for a Master of Arts in Counseling while also pursuing a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Chapman University. Having successfully completed a twelve-month internship at Live at Peace Ministries, Aimee will continue to work with marriages and families struggling with conflict and serve individuals experiencing sexual brokenness including abuse, addiction, infidelity, gender struggles, and sexual dysfunction. Aimee has completed specialized training in conflict resolution, including "Conflict Coaching and Mediation Training" and "Reconciling Marital Conflict Training," and plans to pursue certification with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries.

Julie Taylor, Counseling Resident, holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Christian Education and Psychology from McKendree College. Julie is passionate about assisting Christians worldwide as they grow spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and intellectually with special emphasis in helping individuals discover and develop their unique gifts to serve and build up the body of Christ. She draws on her previous experience in youth and college ministry in counseling teens and young adults. Having served one year internationally with a campus ministry, Julie brings international and cross-cultural experience to her counseling practice. She is also on staff at Missouri Baptist University.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors for Live at Peace Ministries is committed to providing strong leadership and governance. Board members join Judy Dabler, President, to form a collegial governance team that prayerfully determines and pursues the vision of the ministry.

All board members serving as pastors regularly evaluate all services to ensure that they are biblically faithful and Christ-centered.

Mark Friz has served since 1993 as Senior Pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Church in St. Louis. He holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary. Mark is often called on to advise churches considering entry into the Evangelical Free Church and is devoted to serving children through the King's Kid Camp which he founded in 1987.

Mike Priest has served since 1995 as Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church in St. Louis. He holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Talbot School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Missouri State University. He is passionate about seeing people's lives changed as they become followers of Jesus Christ.

Philosophy of Ministry

The immediate goal in providing counseling and mediation services is to help people gain insight into their situation and life in light of God's Word and His purposes. In order to address root problems, we help our clients identify and attend to their heart issues so that real and lasting change can occur. Redemptive counsel may include both words of compassion and loving confrontation in an atmosphere of trust, encouragement and respect. The ultimate goal is to help others grow in faith, knowledge, and love for Jesus Christ as He increasingly transforms them into His likeness.

Because we believe the Bible is the Word of God concerning faith and life, the principles we use are based on Scripture. We strive to reflect the character and grace of Jesus Christ in all we do. Foundational is our belief that God has created all mankind in His image and for His glory. Therefore, we often find information gained through medical sources, social science research and psychology often helpful in identifying problems and appropriate interventions. However, all interventions must meet the criteria of biblical faithfulness.