Pastor Cindy Gackenheimer and her congregation at Celebration United Methodist Church in Winona Lake hold an annual drive-through Passion of Jesus reenactment. It is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, April 17 (rain date, Friday, April 18) at 1289 S 250 E. Shown are Gackenheimer, Kraig Allen, Patsy Brallier and Jean Teune at the empty tomb. (Photo provided)
For Pastor Cindy Gackenheimer of Celebration United Methodist Church in Winona Lake, outreach to the community goes beyond the typical Friday evening fish fries or Wednesday evening prayer services.
As the leader of a church with a mission to reach people in all walks of life, Gackenheimer says she offers a variety of programs that make connecting to the church feel comfortable.
Beer and BS is one. Held at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Downtown Eatery & Spirits on Center Street in Warsaw, Gackenheimer facilitates this Bible study over a round.
“Jesus hung out in far worse places with far worse people,” explained Gackenheimer. “I thought I would get some flack for having a Bible study at a bar, but so far, so good.”
The weekly study focuses on one provocative and challenging topic each week, exploring all sides of the issue with respectful conversation. Past topics include: “Is Phil Robertson right?” “As a Christian, is it wrong to get treatment for mental illness?” and “So I need to sell all my stuff to follow Jesus?”
“There’s so much hatred in the world, it breaks my heart. It’s possible to deal with controversial subjects without condemning,” Gackenheimer explained. “Jesus loved to debate, but did so in a respectful way.”
Gackenheimer has been the pastor at Celebration Church since 2001 — her first service was the Sunday post 9-11 — but the pastorate was not always her calling.
“I was a (full-time) pharmacist at Zale Drugs, born and raised in Warsaw,” said Gackenheimer, who makes a point to spend one day per week in silence as a retreat from her busy life. “But I felt a calling on my life. I prayed for God to give me direction and it took about a year to discern that I should start schooling to become a licensed pastor.”
Now, Gackenheimer balances her pharmacy duty a few evenings per week along with being pastor over a congregation of about 60 people.
From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, April 17 (rain date, Friday, April 18), nearly all of those 60 people will head to the church to participate in the second annual Drive-Through Passion of Jesus Re-enactment. Over a 5-10 minute drive will be four scenes: Jesus’ triumphant entry on a donkey with palms, the last supper, Jesus carrying the cross and the empty tomb. The church is located at 1289 S 250 E. Communion will follow.
“Over 100 cars passed through last year and saw the real meaning of Easter,” said Gackenheimer. “It’s a huge thing to organize, but the reaction from people has been amazing.”
Gackenheimer and her husband Jerry, who have two sons and two grandchildren, enjoy camping and backpacking. This summer, they’ve planned a trip to Jackson Hole. Gackenheimer also likes photography, especially capturing the waterfowl at her home on Beaver Dam Lake.
“I enjoy being the pastor of a church where, when you walk in, you feel like you belong and experience the love and forgiveness of Christ,” she said. “The people here are accepting.”