​This week’s team update is a guest post by Chris Williams, one of the Assistant District Superintendents in the Crossroads District.

Additional Easter Reports

Reports from churches across the district have been coming into the district office as pastors have been sharing what God did in their congregation on Resurrection Day. Here are a few highlights:
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• Edgerton: 166 in attendance and 2 men who committed their lives to Christ.
• Marion Chapel Pike: 284 in attendance and baptized 5 individuals.
• Fort Wayne Lifeway: 379 attending, 3 confessions of faith, and several rededications.
• Winchester: 69 in attendance with 7 first-time adult guests.

Pastor Randy Yaryan from Winchester also shared about how they have seen God’s miraculous power over the past several months. Last November, a 17-year-old boy, connected with their church, jumped from a grain silo. The boy ended up with multiple broken bones and the doctors were sure that he wouldn’t live, but if he did he would never be able to walk again. On Easter Sunday this young man walked into church one his own without the assistance of a cane or walker. May we never stop believing in a God who can work miracles and change lives!
 
It has been great to hear your stories and updates about Easter Sunday. But don’t just wait for special days to share what God is doing in your congregation. We want you to know that we love to hear updates about how God is at work in your church and community. Send your stories to [email protected] so we can celebrate with you.  

​You are invited to join us at The Crossroads District Conference which will be held on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 at the Phillippe Performing Arts Center on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University. 

Our Celebration of Ministry Service, where we ordain new ministers and honor those ministers who are retiring, will be held on Friday, June 21 at 7:00 pm. All ordained ministers in the Crossroads District will gather at 6:30 pm for pictures and to line up for the processional into the service. 

Our Annual Business Session will be held on Saturday, June 22, 9 am to 4 pm. We will spend time in worship and hear vision updates from our General and District Superintendents. We will also elect officers and discuss General Conference memorials. 

The theme for this year’s conference is Multiply. Together, we will be exploring the multiplication of services, campuses, and new kingdom communities as a key strategy in closing the “Gospel Gap” in our region. 

You can stay up to date on the conference details, including the conference schedule, delegate information, lodging options, and more at the conference site:
http://conference.crossroadsdistrict.org. 

End of the Fiscal Year Approaching

As a reminder, the end of the fiscal year for Crossroads District churches is April 30, 2019. All year-end reports are due by May 15, 2019. CSF payments for the 2018-2019 fiscal must be received by May 10, 2019, in order to be recorded for the current fiscal year. All payments received after May 10 will be recorded for the next fiscal year.

If you have questions or if you need assistance with year-end reports, please contact Roxene Lo in the district office ([email protected] or 765.674.8593).

Thanks in advance for your prompt attention and timely submission of your reports!

​Do you wish your outreach ministry, both locally and globally, was more intentional?

The Festival on Outreach will be a great opportunity for your whole team to network and interact with other churches, Global Partners, World Hope, and World Gospel Mission and learn how to go beyond projects to building missional partnerships. 

The Festival on Outreach will be held on May 20-21, 2019 at College Wesleyan Church. Cost is $35 or $25 for groups 5 and over. We hope you can attend this great event, you will leave inspired and challenged  

Register now at  www.collegewes.com/festival.

This week’s team update is a guest post by Chris Williams, one of the Assistant District Superintendents in the Crossroads District.

Celebrating the Resurrection

Yesterday, Christians all over the world celebrated Easter, the victory of God over the evil one. As Christ-followers, we celebrate the resurrection because it is the day when death, hell, and the grave were defeated and victory was made possible for us through Jesus Christ.

Some of our Crossroads District churches have been reporting on what God did yesterday as their congregation celebrated the resurrection and lifted up the person of Jesus. Here are a few of the reports we’ve received in the district office:
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• Tipton Trinity launched their Kokomo campus yesterday. The Trinity team has been busy the last few months renovating the Kokomo facility and they were excited to welcome 98 people to the first service in the new space. Across the two campuses, they had 433 in attendance, baptized 6, and had 18 decisions for Christ.

• Brinker Heights in Marion had 7 people make commitments to Christ.
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• Eastview, with campuses in Gas City and Jonesboro, had 475 in attendance with 6 new professions of faith. Eastview is celebrating 19 people coming to faith during the month of April!

​We’d love to hear updates about what happened at your church as you lifted up Christ on Easter Sunday. Send your celebration stories to [email protected].  

End of the Fiscal Year Approaching

As a reminder, the end of the fiscal year for Crossroads District churches is April 30, 2019. All year-end reports are due by May 15, 2019. CSF payments for the 2018-2019 fiscal must be received by May 10, 2019, in order to be recorded for the current fiscal year. All payments received after May 10 will be recorded for the next fiscal year.

If you have questions or if you need assistance with year-end reports, please contact Roxene Lo in the district office ([email protected] or 765.674.8593).

Thanks in advance for your prompt attention and timely submission of your reports!

​The Festival on Outreach will be held on May 20-21, 2019 at College Wesleyan Church. Cost is $35 or $25 for groups 5 and over. We hope you can attend this great event, you will leave inspired and challenged.

Register now at  www.collegewes.com/festival.

Continue to Pray for Ministers Recovering from Surgery

Rev. Tim McClellan, the senior pastor at Lakeview Church in Marion, had surgery last week to remove cancer. He is still in the hospital recovering from surgery and waiting to learn the next steps of his treatment plan. Please continue to lift up Pastor Tim, Cynthia, and the Lakeview congregation during this time.

Rev. Chuck McCallum, a retired minister in the Crossroads District and former pastor of Westview Wesleyan Church in Jonesboro, had surgery on Saturday to correct a 90% blockage they found in his carotid artery. The surgery was successful and Rev. McCallum is likely to be released from the hospital early this week. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

​After a restful Sabbath on Monday, I was refreshed to hit the road again on Tuesday beginning in Marion with our staff meeting, then a budget meeting, and interviewing a prospective candidate for one of our churches. I met with Pastor David Cox (Laketon Wesleyan) in Warsaw for our annual coaching conversation. Suzanne, David’s wife and ministry partner, was able to join us. I’m grateful for these bi-vocational leaders who are making a big difference in a small community.
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My next stop was at Beaver Creek Wesleyan Church (just outside South Bend) as they commence their search for a bi-vocational pastor. Following the LBA meeting, I met with Rev. Steve Runyon who has been serving effectively as their supply pastor. This was my final coaching conversation with Pastor Steve before he and Nancy move to Michigan to build their retirement home. The church has been making a comeback under Pastor Steve’s leadership, doubling in attendance over the past 3 years. Pray that God will direct the search process at Beaver Creek and provide the pastor to build on this progress.

​Wednesday morning, I met with Pastor Johnnie Blair (Tipton Trinity) for our annual conversation. The ministry of Tipton Trinity is expanding with the addition of the Kokomo Trinity Wesleyan as a part of their network. They’re in the middle of renovations in Kokomo, so Pastor Blair and I dropped in to check on the progress. My next appointment was with a prospective candidate for another one of our churches. I’m grateful for the leaders who are joining the Crossroads District team in our mission.

My final appointment on Wednesday was in Frankfort with Rev. Harold Henson, pastor at Colfax Wesleyan Church. Angie, his wife and ministry partner, was able to join us for this coaching conversation. It’s been a busy first year for the Henson’s as Harold graduated from Wesley Seminary with his M.Div last April, began serving at Colfax Wesleyan last summer, and they’ve just recently moved into their new home.

The highlight of Thursday was the Conference Action Committee meeting. Our team engaged in meaningful and productive dialogue. They recommended four action items. Copies of these recommendations will be forwarded to our delegates on May 23 for their consideration at district conference, on June 22.

Assistant DS Chris Williams and I met on Friday morning for review and planning and then I met with Seth Bye, our Executive Ministry Partner in the afternoon. Pastor Matthew Trexler, Assistant DS for Region 1 and Vice-Chair of the District Board of Administration, met over lunch for my annual performance review. (Thank you to each pastor who took time to respond to this helpful feedback opportunity.)
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​Also on Friday, the Heartland Region superintendents and staff met via ZOOM to continue the planning for the 2020 Heartland Regional Gathering in Pigeon Forge (March 10-12). Registration will open up on August 1 and the early bird fee will be only $300 for a couple. This event will also include a programming track for children. Hold the date on your calendar and stay tuned for more details at district conference.
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Friday evening, Sherry and I hosted pastors and spouses from the Madison County Zone. Two of these four pastoral couples are new in their roles so it was good to share this time of fellowship, laughter and prayer with these colleagues in ministry.

​Saturday was a special time for our Crossroads District team as Dr. Jim Lo and our intercession team welcomed pastors and lay leaders to our inaugural prayer retreat. We shared in a concert of prayer for the first hour and then moved into more specific areas of intercession in the second hour, including anointing with oil for special requests. The dominant theme of our prayer time was the Easter weekend opportunity for evangelism.
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We also discussed developing prayer gatherings in each of our regions from 2 or more times each year and the opportunity to take a busload of leaders to Brooklyn Tabernacle this fall for their Tuesday evening prayer gathering (you can learn more about that by reading Rev. Jim Cymbala’s book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.”) Thank you to Dr. Lo and his leadership team and to Mrs. Angela Spangler and her team at Fairmount Camp who were gracious hosts for this gathering.

​Please send praise reports and pictures from your Easter outreach ministry to our office email address so that Rev. Chris Williams can share these celebration notes in the team updates that he’ll be writing while I’m away on vacation. (Please see the note below.)

Thank you for answering God’s call to advance His Kingdom!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

SPECIAL NOTE FOR CROSSROADS DISTRICT LEADERS:

Sherry and I will be away celebrating our 35th anniversary, departing on Tuesday, April 16, and returning on Sunday, May 5. We will be turning off our phones for the duration and will have only intermittent access to our email. We are looking forward to this vacation break and are taking seriously the advice of those who encouraged us to totally unplug. Rev. Trexler will be chairing the DBA in my absence and Rev. Chris Williams will be leading the district office team over the next 3 weeks while I’m out of the country. I’m confident that our district staff will serve you with excellence in our absence. Thank you in advance for completing your year-end reports on time!

​While their building has three floors, their main floor worship space could become a limiting factor so they opened up a worship service at 9:15 to accommodate future growth. Combined, they welcomed 112 people yesterday morning (lya= 59) with 7 first-time guests. (The most cost-efficient expansion project at any church is adding another service. Is that an option you’re discussing with your team?)
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My next stop was in Pendleton to check in with Pastor Joe Deckard and the team at Waterline’s new campus. I arrived in time to be part of the preview worship experience that they offer for their volunteers. I connected with Joe as they prepared to welcome 100 people who worshiped at the Grand Opening service.

​Special thanks to General Superintendent Dr. Wayne Schmidt for jumping in as part of that special day. Praise the Lord that two people prayed to receive Christ yesterday and 5 new believers are scheduled for Easter baptism. Congratulation to Pastors John & Danielle Freed and Waterline Church for their multiplication vision and generosity!
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My last stop of the morning was in Jonesboro at the new campus of Eastview Wesleyan Church. Many of you will remember that Jonesboro Main Street Wesleyan voted last year to discontinue their ministry and to reach out to Pastor Mark Atkinson and the Eastview team to consider launching a campus in that location. Assistant Pastor Noah Farmer is leading the team of volunteers at this site and they welcomed 47 in worship yesterday.

​That’s just a snapshot of the creative ways in which churches in our Crossroads District are envisioning multiplication opportunities. We cannot expect a different level of results when we keep doing the same things over and over again. What next step of faith might God be calling your church to take in making more and better disciples?

Sunday evening, I met with the LBA at Monon Wesleyan Church as they commence their search for a part-time pastor to lead a turnaround for this ministry. Monon is a small rural community with a growing Hispanic population. Please join them in praying that God will direct them in the leadership transition.
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Last week began with a quick trip on Monday to Davis Wesleyan Church near Hamlet (northwest of Plymouth) to meet with Pastor Matthew Ohime and their leadership team. Pastor Ohime has been serving as interim (supply) pastor this year and the church is making new strides. They voted 18-1 on Sunday to enter into Developing Church status as part of an intentional revitalization project. Pastor Ohime received a 21-0 recommendation to be appointed as their pastor to lead this project.

​Rev. Chris Williams, our Assistant DS, will be leading a Maximizing Impact team for a consultation at Davis Wesleyan later in June. Pray that God will honor their passion to reach their rural community for Christ.

Tuesday morning, I met with Pastor Tim McClellan and the staff at Marion Lakeview Wesleyan Church as he shared the sobering news of a recent cancer diagnosis. Pastor Tim also shared with the Lakeview congregation yesterday morning. He has additional tests this week before his doctors determine his treatment plan. We are joining Tim and Cynthia in prayer and believing that our Great Physician will be glorified in this journey.
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After our weekly Tuesday morning office staff meeting at The Abbey Coffee, I met with a prospective church planter in Noblesville who welcomed a conversation about potential partnership with The Wesleyan Church.

​Wednesday morning, I was able to worship at the IWU chapel service and hear Dr. Jim Lo preach a message on spiritual warfare. I was encouraged to learn that IWU has scheduled Dr. Lo to teach a credit course (REL-488) on Spiritual Warfare this fall. Classes will be held Monday evenings (6:15-8:15) and there will be an option to audit the course.

Pastor Matthew Stewart (Sweetser Wesleyan) and I met over lunch for our annual coaching conversation and then I met with Pastor Allen Laws on Wednesday afternoon for our coaching conversation in Warren.
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Thursday and Friday, I had the privilege of representing our Crossroads District as a member of the Indiana Wesleyan University Board of Trustees. One of the highlights was the devotional shared by Coach Greg Tonagel, head of the men’s basketball program.

​Dr. David Wright, our president, is a wonderful leader who does an amazing job of navigating IWU through the challenges of Christian higher education in an increasingly hostile environment. I appreciate the focus that Dr. Wright and his team have been giving to make sure that faculty and staff fit the mission of IWU. They have recently updated the rigorous interview process to ensure that all new employees embrace the beliefs and values that we hold dear. Please keep President Wright and IWU in your prayers and support our college in every way that you can!
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On Saturday, more than 200 lay leaders and pastors from the Crossroads District gathered at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church for ReEquip 2019. We were blessed by our keynote speakers Dr. David Smith and Rev. Mike Hilson (NewLife Network). There were wonderful breakout sessions on multiethnic ministry, children, youth, worship and discipleship. The Branch Coffee Shop (Fairmount Wesleyan) catered a delicious meal.

Pastor Josh Lavender and his team from Indianapolis Trinity Wesleyan led us in heartfelt worship. Pastor Tony Bye and the team at Brookhaven were incredible hosts for the event. Special thanks to Pastor Amanda Blair and her leadership team who worked hard to create and produce this impactful and affordable learning experience for our lay leaders and pastors!

This Saturday, April 13, you’re invited to join us for our Crossroads District Spring Prayer Gathering. Dr. Jim Lo and his team will lead this meeting at Fairmount Camp. We’ll begin at 10:00 and a free lunch is provided. While the sessions will conclude after lunch, the campground will be available for you to continue in prayer as we prepare for Easter.
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​Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent
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Calendar Notes:

June 4 – Rediscovering our Holiness Heritage with Rev. Dan LeRoy at Wesley Seminary

June 21-22 – Ordination and District Conference at Indiana Wesleyan University

March 10-12 (2020) – Heartland Region Gathering at Pigeon Forge, TN

​Last Monday, I joined Dr. Wayne Schmidt, GS, and District Superintendent colleagues for a Zoom meeting. Dr. Schmidt is a wonderful encourager and takes time each month to connect with superintendents through this online forum. He shared an update on the progress in selling the property and revisioning Hephzibah for a new season in resourcing Wesleyan churches and families to serve vulnerable children. Hephzibah’s board has elected a new chair, Rev. Anita Eastlack, and hired a new Executive Director, Jodi Lewis, R.N., who has been leading a ministry like this at Kentwood Community Church (Grand Rapids, MI) for more than a decade. This week’s WesLife e-newsletter will have details. Continue to pray for and support Hephzibah!
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The Wesley Seminary Board met at Indiana Wesleyan University on Tuesday. While these are challenging times for all of higher education, Wesley Seminary was able to report increased enrollment for the year, with growth in their M.A. programs and the new Doctor of Ministry degrees. Wesley Seminary now offers the MDiv fully online and is one of only a handful of accredited seminaries who are also able to offer their degrees in Spanish. Rev. Stan Hoover has effectively chaired this board since the seminary was founded and at this, his final meeting, he prayed over Rev. Phill Tague who is succeeding him as chair. Pray for Dr. Colleen Derr as she leads the seminary into a bright future.

​Wednesday, I was on the road for coaching conversations with Rev. Jarod Osborne (Warsaw Pathway Church), Rev. Greg Holmes (South Bend Sonlight Fellowship) and with Rev. Terry Vaughn (South Bend The Bridge Urban Church). Before heading home, Pastor Terry and I dropped in on the midweek discipleship training they offer at the public library in downtown South Bend. I also had the opportunity to visit with Rev. Jose (Eliorgy) Guerrero on my way to South Bend. He is doing a wonderful job leading our Hispanic ministry expansion in the northern part of our Crossroads District.
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Thursday, morning, I met with Pastor Tim McClellan (Marion Lakeview) for our annual coaching conversation before joining the District Conference planning team meeting at Abbey Coffee. After lunch with that team, Rev. Amanda Blair convened our ReEquip steering committee for final logistics and a walkthrough at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church where we’ll be meeting this Saturday. I am really looking forward to this leadership training event for our pastors and lay leaders featuring Rev. Mike Hilson and Dr. David Smith. Last year, more than 200 joined us. Our team is ready to welcome you!

​Later Thursday afternoon, I met with Joel Hunt, Wesley Seminary’s Director of Advancement. We are excited to announce that Rev. Dan LeRoy will be a guest speaker at Wesley Seminary on Tuesday, June 4. Dan authored the book, Rediscovering our Holiness Heritage, and he will share from his lifetime perspective in the holiness movement. The evening session (7:00-8:30) will be free and open to public. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for this conversation about the present and future of the holiness movement.

Friday morning, I met with Assistant DS Williams for planning as we move into the final month of this conference year. I also had the opportunity to interview a prospective pastor over lunch before heading to Sweetser. This student will be graduating from IWU this spring and we discussed ministry opportunities in the Crossroads District.

I’m always encouraged to hear stories of life change and progress in our churches. Rev. Dale Munsell reported that Albion Cornerstone welcomed 12 new members and celebrated 3 baptisms this Sunday with 2 more baptisms scheduled for April!

​Thank you to each church who has already given to the Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund established for the tragedy in Mozambique. Just a reminder that the Crossroads District Global Partners Fund is matching the first $10,000 in donations as we respond through Rev. Able Nove and our colleagues planting Wesleyan churches in Mozambique.

Our Crossroads District Spring Prayer Retreat is fast approaching. Join Dr. Jim Lo and our team of intercessors who will be leading us in prayer. I anticipate that we will have a special focus on evangelism as our churches prepare for outreach on Easter Sunday. We are meeting at Fairmount Camp on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with a free lunch included. Bring your prayer partners and specific requests for this time of calling on God. Prayer is not preparation for the battle, prayer is the battle!
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Register here.

​Thank you for all you do to advance the Kingdom!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

P.S. All ministers under appointment in the Crossroads District will be receiving directions by email for completing this year’s online Annual Service Report. Our headquarters office made changes to improve this reporting so please follow the directions carefully.