During the 2026 National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE) Conference, Melissa Luepke, Director of Faith Formation and High School Ministry Coordinator, was recognized as the 2026 Master DCE award recipient.
At every biannual NADCE conference since 1988, only one rostered Director of Christian Education (DCE) from across the country has been presented with this peer-nominated award. The Master DCE award recognizes seasoned professionals with a significant impact on DCE ministry. The recipient demonstrates a strong commitment to serving Jesus and excellence in meeting the social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of children, youth, and adults in a church body. The winner of this award also demonstrates passion, vision, creativity, leadership, and commitment to DCE ministry in the local congregation and overall LCMS.
“Melissa is an outstanding leader on our staff and is a great blessing to Cornerstone,” said Pastor Scott Giger, senior pastor. “She excels in being thorough, faithful and fun! Melissa is very deserving of this award. She is truly ‘the best.’”
Being named a Master DCE is a great honor in the DCE community and LCMS church body. In her acceptance, Melissa shared, “This is the best gig ever! Sundays are the best day, because it is where you get to tell the most people the best news ever – that Jesus is our Savior… The more people who know Jesus, the better the world is.”
Melissa started her work in ministry in 1998 when she was placed at then-Carmel Lutheran Church as a DCE intern. In 1999, she accepted a call to serve as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Over the years, she served in various other roles at Cornerstone, including Director of Confirmation Ministry, Director of Faith Formation – Fishers Site, and in Family Ministry. In 2024, she accepted a Call to her current role as Director of Faith Formation.
Today, she’s a familiar face you’ll often see across all four Cornerstone sites. She seamlessly leads the Faith Formation team, consisting of Becca Klemm, Elaina Guse, Tricia Statler, and Tawnya Hornsby, and equips them with the tools they need to further Cornerstone’s ministry and support our disciples in their walks with Jesus. From Vacation Bible School to Sunday Education Hour and Refuge, Melissa has a hand in it all.
Thank you, Melissa, for your wisdom, guidance, and making us see God’s work in everyday activities. If you see her this weekend at worship, be sure to thank her for a job well done!
Below are photos from that night, plus one other special one.
