Gulf Coast Village and Volunteers of America Announce Ordination, Commission New Minister

Gulf Coast Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Cape Coral, and its sponsoring organization, Volunteers of America, have announced Bob Inkenbrandt, associate pastor, has successfully completed his ordination and welcomed Cheryl Leftwich, director of the Gulf Coast Village Foundation, to her additional role as associate pastor for the organizations.

“Throughout the years, both Inkenbrandt and Leftwich have made a significant impact on the residents and employees of Gulf Coast Village,” said Kevin Ahmadi, executive director of Gulf Coast Village. “We are very fortunate to have such caring and dedicated ministers on our team and we are looking forward to seeing how their continued roles will positively affect our community.”

Inkenbrandt joined Gulf Coast Village as music minister in 2012, became associate pastor in 2014, commissioned in 2015 and completed his ordination this year. Inkenbrandt is currently serving as lead pastor while senior pastor, Rev. Tom Hafer takes a six-month spiritual well-being journey along the Appalachian Trail. Inkenbrandt has continued to direct the music for Gulf Coast Village’s Sunday worship services and special memorial and holiday services. Inkenbrandt has been a professional musician for more than four decades, performing in secular settings in addition to his experience as music minister for Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and other non-denominational churches. He has former military experience and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. His connection to the military has been passed along to his children, with a son and two daughters who have served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Leftwich began her journey with Gulf Coast Village as a social worker in 1998, and has held a variety of positions including director of resident services and community services director. In addition to her current responsibilities as director of the Gulf Coast Village Foundation, as associate pastor she will assist the lead pastor with weekly services, provide comfort care visitations and facilitate pastoral and end of life counseling. She is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Myers where she serves as a deaconess and chair of the teen ministry, past president of the Rotary Club of Cape Coral where she serves as chair of the holiday auction, current president of the New Jersey Peeps and Friends and past president of Theta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Leftwich earned her degree in psychology from the College of New Jersey.