GAYLE LUCKENBAUGH
Dedicated Children's Ministry Leader with 45 years of experience in child and family engagement and over 25 years in Presbyterian church leadership. Currently serving as Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, fostering welcoming environments that support faith development through Scripture, worship, and service. Committed to intergenerational ministry and building strong partnerships with families and volunteers.
Work History
Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator
1 Year 1 Month- Provide leadership and coordination for children's ministry programs serving children from birth through fifth grade.
- Collaborate with church staff, ministry leaders, teachers, and volunteers to create welcoming, engaging, faith-forming experiences for children and families, enhancing community involvement.
- Coordinate children's programming, enhancing engagement through interactive activities and age-appropriate curriculum.
- Recruit, equip, encourage, and support volunteers to create safe, nurturing environments, ensuring children experienced God's love.
- Build relationships with children and families, helping each child feel known, valued, welcomed, and connected to the congregation.
- Develop creative, hands-on lessons and activities that connected Scripture and Christian faith to children's everyday lives, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.
Equipping Disciples Chair
2 Years- Led Christian education and discipleship opportunities for children, youth, and adults.
- Facilitated intergenerational learning, worship, service, and growth opportunities.
- Partnered with church leaders and volunteers to enhance faith formation initiatives across the congregation.
Children's Ministry Chair
27 Years- Collaborated with Director of Children and Families to develop Christian Education programs impacting children's spiritual growth from birth through fifth grade.
- Recruited and coached volunteers to create relational, welcoming ministry environments that foster engagement and community.
- Recruited, coached, and supported volunteers in creating relational, welcoming ministry environments.
- Partnered with families and church leaders to enhance children's faith formation and deepen their sense of belonging.
- Facilitated strategic planning sessions to align church goals with community needs.
- Oversaw budget development and allocation for various church programs and initiatives.
Education
Master's Equivalency - Reading/Special Education
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Skills
Certification
- MSDE Teaching License, Early Childhood Education
- Godly Play Storytelling Certification- Godly Play Foundation, May 2019
- Orton Gillingham Reading Training - MCPS, Rockville, MD, 2023
Timeline
Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator
Equipping Disciples Chair
Children's Ministry Chair
University of Maryland / Hood College / MCPS Professional Development
University of Maryland, College Park
Professional Educator Experience
Classroom Teacher | Grades K–2 | Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland | 1984-2025
● Created nurturing, inclusive classroom communities where children felt safe, valued, and encouraged to grow.
● Designed engaging, hands-on, multisensory learning experiences for diverse groups of young children.
● Built strong partnerships with children, families, colleagues, and support staff.
● Collaborated with special educators, English-language learning teachers, paraeducators, interns,
student teachers, and volunteers to meet children's individual needs
Teacher/Director | College Park Nursery School, College Park, MD |1980-1984
· Directed a cooperative preschool program serving children ages 2-4
· Created and taught developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning experiences in a highly successful preschool program
· Partnered with parents and staff to support children's development and successful transitions
· Created a welcoming environment celebrating each child's unique gifts and abilities