Sherry and I had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. Dr. Morris Jones and his team at Lebanon Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning, April 23. In addition to pastoring the church, Dr. Jones works full-time for Indiana University in Indianapolis and also serves on the city council. I was able to substitute for the piano player and brought the morning message.
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Following the worship service, I met briefly with the local board of administration. They had good questions and they expressed the desire to get together again soon to talk about future possibilities. Dr. Morris and Anita Jones joined us for lunch and then Sherry and I traveled to Nashville for a DS roundtable meeting.

The week included a variety of interesting meetings but I always look forward to our Crossroads District Board of Administration. We met at The River Church in Marion on Thursday. The DBA heard reports from Dr. Richard Schenck, chair of our Multi-Cultural Ministry Task Force, and from Rev. Carla Working, chair of our District Board of Ministerial Development. We are grateful for the strong United Stewardship Fund support that is on track to come in with close to 95% of assessments. The DBA approved a recommendation to the District Conference that could reduce our USF assessment from 10% to 9%. We also took time to celebrate with Rev. Craig Thurmon on the successful defense of his doctoral dissertation. Dr. Thurmon completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University in South Carolina. In addition to planting The Encounter Assembly and working full-time for the U.S. Department of Defense, Dr. Thurmon serves as Secretary of our DBA and District Conference.
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Our ministerial family was touched by grief this past week. Mrs. Jane Bradley, wife of Pastor Tom, mother of Heather Ulrich and Rev. Marc Ulrich’s mother-in-law passed away last week. The funeral will be on Monday, 10:30 a.m., at Bluffton Sonlight Wesleyan Church. Rev. Amanda Blair’s grandmother passed away last week and the funeral was held in Portland on Saturday. Rev. Roger Budde, father of Rev. Ryan Budde (pastor of Jonesboro Westview Wesleyan Church) passed away last week. I was able to join several of our district pastors at the memorial service on Saturday morning as the family celebrated the lives of both Pastor Roger and Sue, their mother who passed away during the pandemic in 2020. The Budde children ministered in music, a fitting tribute to their parents who blessed so many with their music through the years.
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Following the funeral service, I joined Rev. Clifton Ashlock and the Region 2 District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD) as they conducted interviews with ordination candidates. I am grateful for the many members of our DBMD who, under the leadership of Rev. Carla Working, serve our ministerial students so well.
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Pastor Aldean Pablo and the team at ARISE Church in Roanoke were celebrating on Sunday as another teenager publicly professed faith in Christ through water baptism. Praise the Lord!
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This past week, Pastor Andy and Leanza Riemersma celebrated their first of what they believe will be many baptisms in the Westfield YMCA pool. Many of you will know that ONE Church has signed a partnership agreement with the YMCA that will see them moving their weekend worship services into the YMCA’s new Westfield facility. Pray for God’s blessing on this innovative partnership!
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Dr. Oliver Dongell is concluding twenty years (2003-2023) of impactful ministry as senior pastor at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. The LBA has recommended a candidate who will be introduced to the congregation on the weekend of May 6-7. Meanwhile, the church is rebounding well from the pandemic. Easter attendance was over 800, 15 people were baptized on April 16, and 22 new members have been welcomed into the church in the past few months.
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I received word that Rev. Jacob Gibson was called by a vote of more than 90% of the membership to become the next senior pastor of LifeSpring Church. Rev. Gibson has accepted that call and will work with the LBA to complete a timely transition from his previous role with the church into this new appointment. We are excited to see what God has in store for the future of LifeSpring Church under the leadership of Pastor Gibson.
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Congratulations also to Rev. Sam Maddox who has accepted the unanimous extended call of Albion Wesleyan Church to continue serving as their lead pastor.

Attention, all appointed Ministers! The Annual Service Report required for your continued appointment in the Crossroads District is now available online. Several, including me, have completed it and you can finish it today in about 15 minutes. Let me encourage you, do it now!
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Here’s the link: https://www.wesleyan.org/twchub

Please join us in praying for a fresh move of God among our next generation of Wesleyan leaders who will be gathering in Cincinnati this December. There will also be seminars and workshops for pastors and parents so make please every effort to attend!
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Calling all Crossroads District retired ministers and spouses! We would love to have you join us for the Retired Ministers and Spouses Fellowship on Friday, April 28, at 10:00 am at Wesleyan Headquarters in Fishers (13300 Olio Rd, Fishers, IN 46037). We are having a surprise guest that you won’t want to miss!

​Keep on making a difference in the only cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent
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Sunday, April 16, I was blessed to represent our district at Lifeway Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne. Lifeway, which was then known as Moeller Road, is one of the three churches in our district that my father pastored so it holds a special place in my heart. Rev. Rick Fletcher served as assistant pastor with my father and led the church so well since becoming their lead pastor back in 1998. Yesterday, after an intentional multi-year transition process led by Rev. Fletcher and the LBA, and the overwhelming vote of the members, I had the joy of installing Rev. Andrew (Andy) Jellison as Lifeway’s new senior pastor.
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Rev. Fletcher will serve as part-time assistant pastor on Pastor Andy’s staff along with Brad Holmes, Dean Forbes, Gary Livengood, and Robert Simons. Following the service, I joined Rick and Debbie Fletcher as they hosted the Jellison family for a delicious luncheon. These are good days at Lifeway with the recent payoff of their mortgage and 280 present for Easter Sunday. Please keep Pastor Jellison in your prayers as he steps into this new responsibility.

Sunday evening, I enjoyed connecting with Pastor Brent Miller and the team at Gas City Southside Wesleyan Church as they gathered for their annual local church conference. Pastor Brent and the team have completed a remarkable remodeling of their facility and technology over the past three years. They were delighted to welcome more than 140 for Easter and they are praising the Lord for 9 first-time decisions for Christ that morning.
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Dr. Rich Schenck and Rev. Carol Schenck (Noblesville Circle of Hope Network) represented the Crossroads District at the 10th anniversary and 8th annual conference since the founding of The Wesleyan Church of Bangladesh. Dr. Aaron Willis, our retired district superintendent has played a key role in this partnership and the Schencks have made several trips to provide theological education to this new field. Rev. Joshe Bose is transitioning from the national superintendent position to an expanded role with Global Partners. Executive Director Dr. Dennis Jackson and Rev. Gwen Jackson were also present for this celebration along with Rev. Thomas Ensz, GP area director.
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Since the Crossroads District was created in 2016, your USF contributions have made it possible for us to invest more than $50,000 in addition to the direct contributions from local churches and individuals. And your investment is making a difference. Today, there are 65 churches with 2500 members. Last year they baptized 274 new believers and launched 9 new churches. Thank you for your investment in our Global Partners ministry in Bangladesh!
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We’re also in a time of transition for LifeSpring Church in Richmond (formerly known as Fountain City Wesleyan). The LBA has unanimously recommended Rev. Jacob Gibson to be their next senior pastor. The congregational vote will take place this coming weekend. Pray for God’s continued direction through this prayerful process.

I had a great time connecting with pastors last week for coaching conversations and other matters. On Monday evening, I was in Dublin (IN) to meet with Rev. Steve and Shari Cox (both IWU grads) and the leadership team at Dublin Gospel Mission. This congregation has been part of the Evangelical Church of North America but is considering the possibility of joining with The Wesleyan Church. On my way home, I was able to drop in on Dr. Joe Harmon and the LBA at New Castle Memorial Wesleyan Church. Please keep Memorial Church in your prayers as they work through the pastoral search process.
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Tuesday, I met with a pastoral candidate for Lancaster Wesleyan Church in the morning and then traveled to Tipton for meeting with the LBA at Ash Street Wesleyan Church. The LBA at Ash Street has unanimously nominated Jerry Smith, a lay minister, to be considered by the congregation as their interim/supply pastor for the coming year. I look forward to serving with Jerry and Beth Smith as they step forward to serve the Ash Street Wesleyan Church.
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Wednesday, I was on the road to visit with Rev. Judy Hatt at Hope Wesleyan Church in Fowler. Pastor Judy is assisted in the work by Harold, a retired lay minister who was formerly with the UMC. We had a great time together catching up on their ministry and praying together. We determined that they hold the highest average age (85) of any pastoral staff in our district.
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Pastor Phil Carder (The Branch) and I met for lunch in Lafayette and then I connected with Pastor Shane Wilson at New Hope Wesleyan Church in Columbia City. Thursday, I was in Indianapolis to meet with Rev. Ervin Webster (St. Stephen’s Church) for our annual coaching conversation. On Friday, I was in Muncie to meet with Rev. Michael Hewitt (Rising Hope Church) and a potential church planting resident. My final stop on Friday was with Rev. Aldean Pablo (Arise Church) and it was a joy to hear stories of changed lives in this new church.

To close out a great week, Rev. John (our oldest son) and Rev. Lindsey Gorveatte welcomed their second child, our fourth grandchild, on Friday evening. Eden Louise arrived safely and both mother and daughter are now recovering at home. Lennon Joy, our oldest grandchild, seems pretty happy to have a baby sister!
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Pastor Kyle Horton and the team at Three Rivers Church in Fort Wayne celebrated another baptism Sunday. This new believer was set free in Christ from a background in New Age spiritualism. Praise the Lord for each one that is being #MadeNew!
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Pastor David Shafer and the team at North Anderson Wesleyan Church celebrated two more baptisms yesterday!
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Pastor Rob Tippey and the team at Wabash New Journey celebrated three more baptisms yesterday!
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Pastor Andy Riemersma and the team at ONE Church in Westfield celebrated two more baptisms on Sunday!
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Pastor Aldean Pablo and the team at Roanoke Arise Church welcomed 130 for Easter and celebrated another baptism!
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Pastor Dan Fisher and the team at Delphi Wesleyan Church welcomed 7 new members this past Sunday and another person prayed to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Pastor Dan’s report concluded: “God is on the move. Hallelujah!!!”
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Attention, all appointed Ministers! The Annual Service Report required for your continued appointment in the Crossroads District is now available online. Several, including me, have completed it and you can finish it today in about 15 minutes. Let me encourage you, do it now!
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Here’s the link: https://www.wesleyan.org/twchub

Please join us in praying for a fresh move of God among our next generation of Wesleyan leaders who will be gathering in Cincinnati this December. There will also be seminars and workshops for pastors and parents so make please every effort to attend!
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​Calling all Crossroads District retired ministers and spouses! We would love to have you join us for the Retired Ministers and Spouses Fellowship on Friday, April 28, at 10:00 am at Wesleyan Headquarters in Fishers (13300 Olio Rd, Fishers, IN 46037). We are having a surprise guest that you won’t want to miss!

The Crossroads District Senior Adult Ministries (SAM) would also like to invite you to attend the Post-Covid Relaunch Strategy Luncheon being held on Saturday, April 22nd from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at the MCL Cafeteria in Castleton (5520 Castleton Corner Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46250 – North of the Castleton Mall at 86th and Allisonville). For additional information, please email Rev. CK Chitty at [email protected].

​Keep on making a difference in the only cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent
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We continue to hear more stories of how God is at work in the Crossroads District team. Here are a few more of those stories to share as we encourage one another and praise the Lord for answered prayers!

Pastor Tony Bye and the team at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church in Marion started off Holy Week with 885 in attendance for Palm Sunday and then welcomed 743 in worship for Easter Sunday with three more baptisms!
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Pastor Mike Gallant and the team at Mt. Etna Community Life Church (a former UMC congregation that joined our district this year) welcomed 96 people for Easter, almost double their regular attendance. Two families, who used to attend, have reconnected with the church and three new families have recently started attending.

Pastor Johnnie Blair and the team at Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church hosted a community Easter Egg Helicopter Drop on Saturday with 1500+ participating and welcomed 371 for worship including 35 first-time guests and two professions of faith!
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Pastor Shane Wilson and the team at Columbia City New Hope Wesleyan Church hosted their annual Easter drama before Palm Sunday with more than 700 in attendance and 10 decisions for Christ. Then, on Easter Sunday morning, they welcomed more than 500 in worship attendance and celebrated six baptisms!
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Rev. Mike Weller and the team at Restoration Church in Anderson set a new record with 58 in attendance for their Easter service!

Pastor David Shafer and the team at North Anderson Wesleyan Church welcomed six new members into their church family and celebrated 4 baptisms on Easter Sunday morning!

Thank you for joining us in praying for a fresh move of God among our next generation of Wesleyan leaders who will be gathering in Cincinnati this December. There will also be seminars and workshops for pastors and parents so make please every effort to attend!
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Calling all Crossroads District retired ministers and spouses! We would love to have you join us for the Retired Ministers and Spouses Fellowship on Friday, April 28, at 10:00 am at Wesleyan Headquarters in Fishers (13300 Olio Rd, Fishers, IN 46037). You may register by emailing [email protected] or by leaving a voicemail message at 765-674-8593.

The Crossroads District Senior Adult Ministries (SAM) would also like to invite you to attend the Post-Covid Relaunch Strategy Luncheon being held on Saturday, April 22nd from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at the MCL Cafeteria in Castleton (5520 Castleton Corner Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46250 – North of the Castleton Mall at 86th and Allisonville). For additional information, please email Rev. CK Chitty at [email protected].

​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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Every Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate our Risen Lord but there is something special about the focused celebration when we have moved through the 40 days of Lent concluding with Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday – Resurrection Day!

Thank you to every pastor and more than 2000 volunteers in the Crossroads District who invested time, energy, and most importantly, prayers for this annual opportunity to boldly proclaim the Good News of Christ’s victorious death and triumphant resurrection.

Here are some of the reports that have already come in to our district office:
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Rev. Michael Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope in Muncie celebrated as an entire family was baptized together. And they were delighted when a young man gave his life to Christ at their Good Friday service after he walked through the stations of the cross. Five more people responded to the Gospel on Sunday morning!

Rev. Scott Rhyno and the team at Waterline Church (meeting at Wesleyan HQ) welcomed 135 in worship with five people publicly professing faith in Christ through baptism and several others indicating their response to the invitation to follow Jesus!
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Rev. Matthew Trexler and the team at The River Church in Marion welcomed more than 2000 in worship for the first time with 226 people responding in writing to the invitation to follow Jesus. Children’s church attendance alone was 416!

Dr. Aaron Perry, interim pastor, and the team at LifeSpring Church celebrated 25 baptisms yesterday between their north and south campuses. The south campus welcomed 473 in attendance (a new record for that location). The LifeSpring Church family also celebrated the announcement of the Local Board of Administration that Rev. Jacob Gibson is being recommended as their new lead pastor. Dr. Perry has been a blessing to the church in this season of transition while continuing to teach for Wesley Seminary.
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Rev. Ryan Budde and the team at Jonesboro Westview welcomed 271 for worship and baptized 7 new believers with two more baptisms candidates signing up for next time!

Rev. Allen Gross and the team at Cicero United Family Church may have set a record on Sunday for the highest rate of baptisms to worship attendance. Last year, United Family averaged 45 in attendance. On Easter Sunday, Pastor Allen had the privilege of baptizing 11 individuals who publicly professed their faith in our Risen King!
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Rev. Noah Farmer and the team at Gas City Eastview reported 356 in attendance and 19 decisions for Christ!

Dr. Chris Williams and the team at Marion Lakeview celebrated Easter with 372 people present, a recent high attendance, 7 professions of faith in Christ, and another public profession of faith through baptism!

Dr. Steve DeNeff and the team at Marion College Wesleyan Church celebrated seven more baptisms on Sunday as they concluded their Holy Week services!

Rev. Mike Henry and the team at Fort Wayne Level 13 are rejoicing with rebounding worship attendance and another baptism on Easter Sunday!
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Rev. Zach Working and the team at Huntington Hope Rising welcomed over 240 in worship attendance. They had to use their youth center to handle the attendance overflow. Best of all, the celebrated 7 decisions for Christ!

Rev. Rob Tippey and the team at Wabash New Journey Church welcomed over 300 for worship with 9 decisions for Christ and another baptism!

Rev. Dan Fisher and the team at Delphi Wesleyan Church are rejoicing with two more decisions for Christ yesterday!

Rev. David Shafer and the team at North Anderson Wesleyan Church hosted the Madison County Wesleyan Churches in a wonderful combined Good Friday service. This is the second year that our Madison County churches have collaborated for this special occasion. On Easter Sunday morning, Pastor Shafer and their team celebrated
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Harvest Church in Greenfield celebrated another baptism on Easter Sunday morning. Rev. Wayne Richards has been graciously serving the church as interim pastor. Please continue to remember Rev. Brad LeRoy, founding pastor of Harvest, in your prayers as he continues to address serious health concerns.
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Rev. Jim Weinmann and the team at Indianapolis Evanston Avenue Wesleyan celebrated another baptism on Easter Sunday! In addition to pastoring, Rev. Weinmann also serves our pastors through his leadership in the Wesleyan Pension Fund.
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Rev. Scott McDermid and the team at Sheridan Six Points Church hosted the community Easter egg hunt on their campus on Saturday and then welcomed 250+ for worship on Sunday. They also celebrated the baptism of another young man who came to Christ!
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District superintendents are, understandably, not often invited as guest speakers on Easter Sunday so Sherry and I took the opportunity to spend time with our family in Michigan celebrating the arrival of Thea Rose, our newest granddaughter. Thea Rose was born on Palm Sunday, April 2, to Christie and Joel, our youngest son. The family also surprised me with a Saturday afternoon birthday party for Grandpa G. I couldn’t ask for a better gift!
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Early Sunday morning, we worshiped with John, our oldest son, and his family at Center Church where he serves as campus pastor in Grand Rapids. Then we joined Joel for the 11 a.m. service at the Journey Church campus in Middleville, where he serves as assistant pastor with Pastor Jon Allen. Our family helped Pastor Jon and Erica Allen plant Journey Church back in 2016 so it was fun to reconnect with friends ad members of the original launch team.

​Keep those praise reports coming in and stay tuned for a midweek edition of the Crossroads District Team Update!

God is on the move!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday morning, April 2, I had the privilege of bringing greetings on behalf of our Crossroads District team to the wonderful congregation at New Castle Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church. Mt. Zion is one of the oldest congregations in our denomination dating back to 1843. Originally known as Duck Creek Wesleyan Methodist Church, this congregation was formed just a few weeks later than the church in Fountain City. Pastor Steve and Paula Arnett lead this vibrant, multi-generational congregation. It was a joy to worship with them, to preach the morning message, and to celebrate with the five people who were baptized as a public profession of their faith in obedience to Christ’s command.
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On Sunday afternoon, I journeyed From one of our oldest congregations to one of our newest congregations. Pastor Mike Weller and his team are planting Restoration Church in the downtown of Anderson. Restoration Church holds their service in the park next door on the first Sunday of each month, weather permitting. It was fun to see the worship team from Muncie Rising Hope, led by Kim Hewitt, jump in to generously offer the live music for this outreach event. God is on the move in Anderson!
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I’m glad that the Crossroads District stays focused on church planting and it is encouraging to see how God is at work in our newest churches. Pastor John Hannan, who is planting Union City CrossRoads Church, sent along this picture from yesterday. The church offered their Easter egg hunt on Palm Sunday this year as part of their morning worship experience. If I’m counting correctly, there are 37 children in this photo. To put that in context, last conference year, CrossRoads Church averaged 43 in worship attendance. Pastor John and Beth Hannan are doing a terrific job of planting this new Wesleyan church and serving this community of just over 5,000 people. God is able to do big things in small places!
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Last Wednesday evening, Pastor Logan Westrick and I met with the Local Board of Administration at Ash Street Wesleyan Church. Pastor Logan and Nancy Westrick have faithfully served this congregation for the past 30 years. They have both been dealing with significant health concerns. After much prayer and consultation with his family, Rev. Westrick announced that he will be retiring at the end of April and that they will be moving to Ohio to be closer to their children. We are grateful for their impactful ministry to the church and the community. Join me in praying for their transition and for God’s guidance as the board begins the search for their next pastor.
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My coaching conversations last week included Rev. Jeff Brady (Marion Commoners Church), Rev. Jerome Bell (Pendleton Autumn Hills Church), and Rev. Clifton Ashlock (Chesterfield Parkview Church). In addition to a variety of emails and phone call consultations through the week, I participated in a denominational study committee meeting via Zoom on Tuesday and represented the district at a property sale closing in Muncie on Wednesday.

Saturday, I was back to meet again with the board at Lancaster Wesleyan Church as they continue their pastoral search process. They are making progress and have set up interviews over the next week. Please keep Lancaster Wesleyan in your prayers.
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Following my meeting in Lancaster, I dropped in to connect with some of our pastors who brought teenagers to IWU for FUSION. It was fun to catch up with one of our newest youth pastors Brad Holmes (serving at Fort Wayne Lifeway Church) and one of our “more experienced” youth pastors Rev. David Hines (serving at Marion Brookhaven Church). Dr. Jim Lo shared an encouraging note that more than 100 students prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit in his breakout seminar on Holy Revival. Thank you to every pastor and youth leader who invested time to bring your students. Thank you also to President Kulaga, Rev. Charlie Alcock, and the IWU team that made FUSION possible!
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I’m always encouraged to receive reports of lives being changed. We’re rejoicing with Pastor Rob Tippey and the team at New Journey Church in Wabash as they celebrated another baptism yesterday. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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​Congratulations to Plymouth Shiloh Wesleyan Church on the calling of their new pastor. Rev. Ed Friberg received a nearly unanimous vote last Sunday and has accepted the call to lead the team at Shiloh Wesleyan. Thank you again to Pastor Rich Van Vuren for his faithful ministry to the church and the community. Join me in praying for this transition and for an exciting next chapter of ministry for the Shiloh congregation.

Every child is a gift from God. Our family is celebrating the arrival of the newest Gorveatte granddaughter, born on April 2, to Joel and Christie. Joel, our youngest son, serves on the pastoral staff at Journey Church in Michigan. We are thanking God that mother and daughter are both doing well! (Stay tuned for pictures next week.)

Let’s support each other in earnest prayer this Holy Week. May many new believers in Christ be born again into the family of God as we lift Jesus high on Easter Sunday!

Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent