Summit of Peace Pastor & Staff

The staff and leadership team here at Summit of Peace is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them. You can contact the church office at Office@SummitofPeace.org.

  • Pastor Jeremy Jacoby

    senior Pastor

    Pastor Jeremy Jacoby, a Colorado native, is a graduate of Denver Lutheran High School (’89), Concordia University Irvine (’93) and St. Louis Seminary (’97). He has been at Summit of Peace since 2009 and was called to serve as Senior Pastor in 2011. He is a father of two beautiful teens and husband to Julie.  He's an avid Broncos fan, runner, and Lifetime Lutheran (He was even born at Lutheran Hospital!). 303-452-0448  PJ@SummitofPeace.org

  • David Runkel

    Pastoral Assistant

    David joined Summit of Peace Lutheran Church after moving to the Thornton area in early 2013. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, (Go Chiefs) he spent his early years at Hope Lutheran Church & School before moving to Temecula, California. Following high school, he served six years in the Air Force Reserve as an aircraft refueling technician while earning an Aviation Business degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. For the past decade, David has been a Flight Attendant with Southwest Airlines. Currently, as an SMP (Special Ministry Pastor) candidate at Concordia St. Louis, he is beginning his four-year online pastoral program while serving as the Youth & Family Ministry Pastor here at Summit of Peace. His wife, Katie Runkel, supports him and our church as Music Director, and they both share their lives with their two energetic blonde boys, Nolan (5) and Connor (1). 303-452-0448 DR@SummitofPeace.org

  • sarah RIppke

    Director of Operations

    Sarah has been an active member of Summit of Peace most of her life.  She was confirmed, married and all of her children have been baptized at Summit.  Sarah is dedicated to her family. Brad and her have been married for 19 years and have four adorable children; Parker, Quinn, Campbell, and Sawyer.  She keeps busy with their sports, school and everything in between.  In her free time she enjoys running, scrapbooking, baking, exercising, sports, and hiking.   303-452-0448  SR@SummitofPeace.org

  • Katie Runkel

    Director of Music

    Katie joined Summit of Peace in June 2013. She has her master's degree in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Institute at the John's Hopkin's University. Katie hail's from the West Coast - growing up in California and Arizona. She got her Bachelor's degree at Chapman University, a stone's throw from Disneyland - and yes, she had an annual pass. 


    Katie has been engaged in worship music since a young age, and started to cantor in services at the age of 14.  Katie assists with worship ministries at Summit, programming music for services, hiring musicians, operating sound/tech, programming children's church curriculum and content, as well as assisting with nursery operations. Katie is also one of the Director's of Camp Summit, Summit of Peace's low-cost summer camp for ages 3-11. 


    Katie is married to David Runkel, who serves Summit of Peace as a pastoral assistant while pursuing his SMP through Concordia St. Louis. Katie and David have two very active and energetic boys - Nolan and Connor. 303-452- 0448  KR@SummitofPeace.org

  • Anne Kleve

    Director of Choirs

    Originally from California, Anne Kleve attended the University of Colorado as a music major. She teaches private clarinet and saxophone lessons.  Anne’s interest in handbells began in high school. She began directing handbells in March 2003 at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Broomfield, CO, where she built that program up to four choirs. In August 2016, Anne moved to Summit of Peace Lutheran Church in Thornton. She now leads four choirs there, including: IncrediBELLS (2nd-8th Grade), Ascent Bells (High School), and Bells of Peace (Adults) along with the vocal choir, the Summit Singers.


    Anne volunteers in Sigma Alpha Iota, an International Music Fraternity for women as Coordinator for Philanthropies, Projects and Triennial Awards. She plays in the Thornton Community Band where she is Principal Clarinet and President. She has been teaching private clarinet and saxophone lessons since 2007. Anne Kleve has served on the Area 11 Handbell Musicians of America board since September 2016. She is the current Events and Camp Director.  


    She manages their vacation rental properties in Estes Park, Steamboat, and Kissimmee, Florida.  Anne and her husband, Jason, have two wonderful grown children: Gwen and Nathan.

  • DavE Sawyer

    facility Manager