Our Team

The team at Lebenshaus Koinonia is characterized by a diverse group of staff members spanning a wide age range and representing various professions and talents, which ensures a broad spectrum of (care) services.

At Lebenshaus, children find various opportunities to “connect” with different staff members and benefit from these relationships.

Leadership Team

"Leaving no child behind has always been and remains our mission. The longer we live by this principle, the more I recognize the necessity and the foundation of trusting in God and using the talents He has given us."

Gerhard Speidel

Residence Management

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Bachelor of Engineering (FH) in Mechanical Engineering

"We can't always control the circumstances of our lives, but we can control how we respond to them. God has a good plan for every person, and His 'yes' is over every life. That's what motivates me to keep going. That's the perspective from which I view my circumstances."

Kerstin Speidel

Educational Director

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Trauma-Informed Education

"Shaping everyday life, sharing joy, overcoming crises, celebrating victories, opening doors to the future—and in all of this, knowing that there is a God who can do anything and who sees each and every one of us. Living and working in this tension—that’s what I love."

Jenny Link

Deputy Director

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Team of Employees

Koinonia “Kids & Teens”

"Welcome to Team Koinonia!"

Cora Esterle

Team

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Jenny Link

Group Leadership

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

"I really love being able to work in a place like this, because every day I get to give so much, knowing that God is with us through every challenge. At the same time, I get so much in return."

Sara Gehringer

Team

State-Certified Early Childhood Educator

"I love being able to work in a place where children feel safe and can experience God's love—and where I, too, am challenged."

Ruben Hoster

Team

Bachelor's Student in Social Work

"I truly appreciate living in reliance on God's grace together with the children and my colleagues, learning together, and walking in His ways, whether in our daily lives or during special activities."

Lisa Weisser

Team

State-Certified Early Childhood Educator

"For me, working here means tending the soil in which something beautiful can sprout in the future. With God’s help and grace, we can positively shape children’s lives so that they may come to recognize the value God has given them."

Julian Braun

Team

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Gerhard Speidel

Residence Management

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Bachelor of Engineering (FH) in Mechanical Engineering

Koinonia “Youngsters”

"It is deeply important to me to guide and empower children with care so that they can flourish in a safe environment and confidently forge their own path."

Katharina Kuhn

Team

Undergraduate student in Social Work

"I am passionate about exploring the neuroscientific principles of the brain and putting the resulting possibilities into practice. This has led me to a deep conviction that every individual life is malleable and that it is never 'too late.'"

Emily Speidel

Team

Psychology student (M.Sc., specializing in neuropsychology)
B.Sc. in Psychology
B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences

"I love doing crafts with the kids and playing with them."

Aminaa Altantuya

Team

Social Education Assistant

"Children long for love and acceptance, and they want to be valued and encouraged. With Jesus' help, I would like to do my part at the Koinonia House of Life."

Petra Kopetschek

Team

State-Certified Early Childhood Educator

"I love shaping our daily lives together with the kids and my coworkers and seeing how God changes things and makes them possible. This is a place where I can use my gifts and grow myself—a place where nothing is impossible."

Annika Schaal

Team

, Occupational Therapist State-Certified Early Childhood Educator (specializing in youth and residential care)

"It brings me joy to be there for the children with my loving mother's heart and to show them how precious they are. Each and every one of them is simply wanted by God, loved by Him, and wonderfully made!"

Mariana Abendschein

Team

Educational Staff Member

"I have a big heart for our kids, and I want to share God's love with them as best I can."

Lorina Johnson

Group Leadership

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

"It brings me great joy to accompany children on their journey, to see them for who they are, and to be able to share God's love with them."

Tabitha Heine

Team

State-Certified Early Childhood Educator

Koinonia “Young Adults”

"We believe in our kids until they start believing in themselves."

Mike Weinert

Group Leadership

State-Certified Youth and Residential Care Worker

Mariana Abendschein

Team

Educational Staff Member

Housekeeping

"I'm grateful to work alongside my sister and colleague. It's wonderful to share not only our work with her and a few other colleagues, but also our Christian faith and meaningful conversations."

Sarah Nobody

Team

Cleaning staff

"I'm grateful to be able to do my part in the bigger picture. I enjoy my work at Lebenshaus because it's so much more than just cleaning. It's a blessed place, and you can just feel it."

Jessica Thomas

Team

Cleaning staff

"I enjoy watching children go about their everyday lives and being a part of that—helping to shape their lives in very practical ways."

Christof Schaible

Team

Caretaker

"A cheerful and joyful person is mindful of what they eat. (Sirach 30:25) You are what you eat!"

Diana Hezel

Team

Housekeeper & Cook

Get Involved

At Lebenshaus Koinonia, solidarity, loyalty, and mutual support shape our daily interactions as a team. Our Christian faith and the values that stem from it form the foundation of our shared work.

Each of us contributes our own strengths, experiences, and interests. We value initiative and provide a wide range of opportunities for everyone to help shape our work.

This creates a work environment that combines personal development with collaborative effort.

Work with us