Staff
John Hawkins, Interim Pastor
Dorenda Gravitt, Secretary
Pastor John Hawkins is serving Gethsemane Lutheran Church as Interim Pastor. He is a native of Vincennes, Indiana, where he is a graduate of Lincoln High School. He was an undergraduate at Oakland City University, in Oakland City, Indiana, and is a graduate of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a native son of the Indiana/Kentucky Synod in its many forms and has served as an ordained minister for over 30 years, including time as a Navy chaplain. Pastor John has served in calls ranging from small rural churches to large urban congregations. His position as Interim Pastor is full-time, meaning that he will be leading worship each Sunday, calling on members in need, teaching confirmation and first communion classes, attending council and ministry team meetings, and providing consultation four days each week. Pastor John is married, and he and his wife Cathy live in Whiteland, Indiana. However, Pastor John will be renting housing in the Lexington area while he serves Gethsemane.
Dorenda joined Gethsemane as a part-time staff member in August of 1998. She is a graduate of Kentucky Business College, and her employment background includes several years work as a legal secretary for a couple of large law firms here in Lexington. She is married with one daughter. She enjoys music, movies, or just reading a good book. And she especially enjoys spending time with her family on weekend outings.
Dorenda became a Christian when she was 22 years old after attending an Easter evening service at a small, non-denominational, country church. This was a church where the preacher "walked the pews!" Opening her heart to God continues to be the most special and meaningful event to take place in her life.
Dorenda became a Christian when she was 22 years old after attending an Easter evening service at a small, non-denominational, country church. This was a church where the preacher "walked the pews!" Opening her heart to God continues to be the most special and meaningful event to take place in her life.
Pastor John can be reached at