With you on Memorial Day 2024, we remembered with gratitude those who, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, “…gave the last full measure of devotion in service to our country."

Sherry and I took the weekend off to spend with our children and grandchildren in Michigan. We had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. Joel Gorveatte, our youngest son, on Sunday morning as he led worship at the Middleville campus of Journey Church (Caledonia, MI).
​

While in Michigan, we were able to celebrate the 3rd birthday of Lennon, John and Lindsey’s daughter and our oldest grandchild. We also had a chance to practice our babysitting skills with Thea, Joel and Christie’s daughter. Dr. G loves her grandbabies!
​

Last week began with meetings in Marion on Monday. It’s always encouraging to drop in on the monthly leadership cohort that Pastor Matthew Trexler leads for pastors. We have more opportunities for pastors to join monthly leadership development cohorts in the coming year.
​

The second meeting on Monday was with Dr. Chris Williams, Assistant DS, and the planning team for this year’s district conference. The team is looking forward to hosting our ministerial and lay delegates at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion on Saturday, June 29.
​

I met with Rev. Eric Roemer (Greentown Wesleyan), Rev. Alan Downing (Frankfort Connecting Point), Rev. Jerome Bell (Pendleton Autumn Hills), Rev. Scott Rhyno (Fishers Waterline), and Rev. Mike Colaw (Indy Trinity) for coaching conversations last week.

On Wednesday evening, I was able to join Pastor Sam Maddox as Albion Wesleyan Church concluded their revival services with Rev. Randy Garner. Rev. Garner and I have known each other for over 40 years so it was great to connect with him again. Pastor Maddox was encouraged by the spiritual responses to these special services.
​

We love sharing the good news of lives being changed by the grace of God. Dr. Steve DeNeff and the team at College Wesleyan Church celebrated five more baptisms on Sunday!
​

Pastor Scott Rhyno and the team at Waterline Church celebrated another baptism last week!
​

Pastor Noah Farmer and the team at Gas City Eastview Wesleyan Church celebrated another baptism on Sunday, May 26. Praise the Lord for every one of these lives #MadeNew in Christ!
​

Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte

​Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday morning, May 19, I joined Rev. Jacob Gibson and the team at LifeSpring Church for their annual church conference combined with a morning worship experience. LifeSpring has a main campus on Hwy 27 and another campus in downtown Richmond. For this special occasion they brought all the services together for one celebration rally.
​

They shared communion, elected officers, and celebrated victories from the past year including 131 professions of faith and 58 baptisms! Pastor Gibson emphasized the impact of their increased prayer focus and cast vision for the coming year. LifeSpring is the oldest Wesleyan church in our state (planted in 1843 by abolitionist Daniel Worth) and still continues to thrive in this new season of ministry.
​

Sunday afternoon, I worshiped at Casa de Alfarero, our Hispanic congregation in Richmond led by Rev. Claudia Ruiz. Pastor Ruiz was preaching at the new campus in Portland but I was blessed by the encouraging message from Assistant Pastor Carlos Cruz. Both Carlos and Yesie (his wife) are in the Spanish-language ministerial student program moving to ordination.
​

Today is the last day for pastors to submit their Local Church Statistical Report (LCSR) and yesterday evening I was able to drop in on two of our churches that were holding the annual church conference. Dr. Chris Williams and the team at Lakeview Wesleyan Church met at 6 p.m. and it was exciting to see the reports of all that God has done this past year. Attendance was up 7% and baptisms were up over 60%!
​

Dr. Sherry Gorveatte serves as Treasurer on the LBA at The River Church in Marion and I continued on to join her there for the annual conference. Pastor Matthew Trexler and his team made significant strides again this year with 345 professions of faith and 127 baptisms. They are seeking God’s wisdom to accommodate their exploding children’s ministry which is now averaging over 300 per week with a high of 543 on Easter!
​

Last Monday, I was in Marion for a district staff meeting. Michael Wood, District Administrator, and I welcomed Darah Martin for a time of planning. Darah has joined Dr. Chris Williams’ team at Lakeview and we’ve contracted with Lakeview for Darah to provide additional assistance to Michael so we can better serve you. You will enjoy meeting her at our district conference.

Monday evening, I sat in with Dr. Matthew Stewart and the LBA at Sweetser Wesleyan Church. Dr. Stewart will complete his ministry there at the end of June. Following the regular business items, I spent time with the team looking forward in their pastoral search process.
​

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dr. Aaron Perry convened a group of scholars, pastors, and administrators from across our denomination for a conversation (TheoCon) on the topic of theological anthropology. Pastor Mike Colaw and his team at Indianapolis Trinity graciously hosted the gathering and led in our times of worship.
​

It was great to reconnect with so many colleagues including Dr. Mike Tapper. Some of you will know that Dr. Tapper is moving to Marion this summer to join the faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University. Mike has a great heart for the local church and I am confident you will enjoy getting to know him in the years ahead. My favorite presentation of TheoCon was from Dr. David Smith, author of True North and a circuit rider for our district. Stay tuned for the next meeting.
​

Coaching conversations last week included Rev. Lilly Kurker (Carmel Amistad) on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Zach Szmara (The Bridge in Logansport) on Thursday morning, Rev. Dan Fisher (Delphi Wesleyan) on Thursday afternoon, Rev. Marc Ulrich (Merrillville ReThink Church) on Saturday morning, and Rev. Jere Gowin (Kingsford Heights) on Saturday afternoon. My last coaching conversation of the week was with Jose Cardenas, our lay supply pastor who leads Cielos Abiertos in Elkhart. Once again, I was blessed by the many wonderful stories this past week of God’s faithfulness and the progress of His Kingdom!
​

It is so fun sharing the reports of changed lives and this week I was excited to hear from Rev. Randy Yaryan at Winchester Wesleyan Church. Pastor Randy has been involved in the tornado relief efforts there in Winchester while continuing to preach the Gospel as a bi-vocational pastor. Sunday morning, he had the joy of baptizing six people who publicly professed their faith in Christ. That is the most on any one Sunday since Rev. Yaryan began serving the church back in 1997. Praise the Lord!
​

Pastor Andy Jellison and the team at Lifeway Church in Fort Wayne continue to see God working in powerful ways. After baptizing a record of 14 on Easter Sunday, Pastor Andy had the privilege of baptizing four more new believers yesterday. Praise God for lives #MadeNew!
​

Speaking of celebrations, Sherry and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of Anika Williams (daughter of Dr. Chris & Marietta Williams) and Tucker Campbell (son of Rev. Darren and Nancy Campbell). The ceremony was a beautiful testimony to God’s design for marriage and His divine intention for us to be the Bride of Christ. Congratulations to the happy couple and to their appropriately proud parents!
​

Please keep Rev. Dennis Croy in your prayers as he prepares for a bone marrow transplant this week in Indianapolis. Pastor Dennis and Barb are grateful for your prayers and the loving support of the East Liberty Church congregation in this journey to regaining health.

​Fairmount Camp is ramping up for another full season of ministry. For more information or to register for one of the many events, visit the camp’s website: https://www.fairmountcamp.org
​

​We can’t wait to see all of our ministers and lay delegates gathering for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. We are “CALLED!”

Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte

​Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday, May 12, I had the joy of joining Rev. Andy Jellison, senior pastor, and his team at Lifeway Wesleyan as they honored mothers in their morning worship service. Pastor Andy brought the children’s message today and Assistant Pastor Rick Fletcher brought an encouraging message to mothers from the book of Ruth.

Following the service, I met briefly with Pastor Andy and the local board of administration (LBA). This has been an exciting year of ministry at Lifeway with 14 baptisms and a record attendance of 346 for Easter Sunday.
​

It was fun to catch up with one of my former students over lunch. Brad Holmes is off to a strong start ministering to students and young adults at Lifeway. He just returned from leading a young adult getaway to the “Ark” experience in Kentucky.
​

Pastor Jacob Gibson and the team at LifeSpring Church (Richmond/Fountain City) leveraged Mother’s Day as a wonderful opportunity to dedicate children. They dedicated 23 children to the Lord in the three services between their two campuses on Sunday morning.
​

Pastor Aldean Pablo passed along the good news that he and the team at ARISE Church in Roanoke were delighted to welcome 104 in worship for Mother’s Day (including 10 first-time guests). They were even more excited to celebrate another baptism for a new believer!
​

Pastor Sam Maddox and the team at Albion Wesleyan Church also celebrated Mother’s Day with another baptism. This was the second week in a row that they baptized a new believer who came to Christ as a result of their neighborhood “block party” outreach last summer.
​

Last week included coaching conversations with Rev. Mark Wooten (New Castle Memorial), Rev. Ron Forsythe (Lancaster), Rev. Shane Wilson (Columbia City New Hope), Rev. Thomas Beck (Larwill), Rev. Sam Maddox (Albion), and Rev. Lyle Breeding (Bluffton Sonlight). So many encouraging stories are being written in our churches. I can’t wait for you to hear more of these stories at our district conference on June 29.
​

Speaking of conference, Rev. Carla Working and Rev. Chip Bos hosted several ministers in Marion on Monday. They captured video testimonials of how God had called these people into ministry. This video will be shared at the district conference and then will be a resource for pastors to share with people in their congregations who are exploring God’s call.

Saturday morning, I had the privilege of joining Rev. David Cox and the LBA at Laketon Wesleyan Church for Pastor David’s last official meeting as chair. I joined the team in congratulating Pastor David on his 10 years of impactful ministry. Rev. Cox will complete his call on May 31 and then he and Suzanne will be retiring in Florida. The LBA is making progress in its pastoral search process. Pray for God’s direction in this transition.
​

My final coaching conversation of the week was over lunch on Saturday in Fort Wayne with Rev. Mike and Hannah Henry. Pastor Mike is another one of our faithful bi-vocational pastors serving the community in EMS. The congregation has been working on their vision, mission, and ministry strategy. That process included a name change from Level 13 Church to become Inspire Church. After lunch, I toured the rebranded and updated facility with Pastor Mike.
​

Keep those praise reports coming in. Last week’s team update was released before I received the photo from Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church where Pastor Johnnie Blair and the team celebrated another baptism. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
​

​We can’t wait to see all of our ministers and lay delegates gathering for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. We are “CALLED!”
​
Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte

​Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday, May 5, Dr. Sherry and I joined Dr. Mark Rennaker and his team at Southdowns Wesleyan Church in Kokomo for the morning worship service. Dr. Rennaker has served Southdowns since 1993 making him one of our five longest-tenured pastors in one congregation. In addition to caring for his congregation, Dr. Rennaker also provides leadership in his role as Chair of the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University.
​

Following the worship service, I connected with the LBA (Local Board of Administration) and then we hosted the Rennakers for lunch. Many of you may know this but pastors in The Wesleyan Church have been blessed and resourced by Dr. Rennaker’s point leadership with the Thrive Financial Initiative, funded by the Lilly Endowment.

Sunday afternoon, I met with leaders at Hope Wesleyan Church in Fowler (northwest of Lafayette). Rev. Judy Hatt has faithfully served this congregation since 2017. During the past year, Rev. Hatt’s husband, John, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Pastor Judy’s family in Ohio has invited her to relocate there so I met with the team at Fowler Hope to receive their recommendation for the coming year. Mr. Harold Holdeman, who has been assisting Rev. Hatt, has agreed to accept the appointment as “Lay Supply Pastor” for this conference year.
​

Monday afternoon, April 29, Dr. Keith Drury’s memorial service was held at College Wesleyan Church with Dr. Steve DeNeff officiating. Dr. Drury had an incredible lifetime of service to The Wesleyan Church and Indiana Wesleyan University. His greatest legacy, by his design, was his beautiful family of whom he was rightfully proud. A close second to that legacy is the impact he had on so many of us who benefited personally from his coaching. Our prayers are extended to Dr. Sharon Drury and the entire Drury family.
​

Tuesday, I was on the road for coaching conversations with Rev. Johnnie Blair (Tipton Trinity) and Rev. Scott McDermid (Sheridan Six Points). It was also fun to connect with Rev. Grace Lopez and the other FLAMA Coordinators who had gathered at Wesleyan headquarters from across the country for two days of training. We are grateful for Rev. Lopez and the others who serve our growing cadre of Hispanic ministerial students!
​

Wednesday found me in the northern tier of our district for coaching conversations with Rev. Matthew Ohime (Hamlet Davis), Rev. Ben Jones (Beaver Creek), and with Pastor Terry & Lennaire Vaughn (The Bridge Urban Church). My final stop of the day was in Albion where I connected with Rev. Sam (Sr.) and Rev. Becky Maddox.

The coaching conversations on Thursday were with Rev. Kyle Horton (Fort Wayne Three Rivers) and with Rev. Paul Van Cise (Bryant). Friday morning, I met with Dr. Tim Kellerman, Nazarene DS for Northeast Indiana. We’ve enjoyed out times connecting for breakfast and prayer over the past year.
​

Friday evening, I dropped in at IWU to thank our pastors and volunteers who brought approximately 200 middle school students for the “Never2Young” conference. Special thanks to Charlie Alcock and his team for hosting 800+ students for this inspiring event.

Saturday morning, I joined Rev. Theo Griffin and the team at Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church in Greenfield as they welcomed Dr. Chris Williams to lead them in a customized “Next Level” consultation. It was encouraging to hear how God has been at work in their church this past year and to see them leaning into God’s best for their future ministry.
​

Saturday afternoon, I met with a couple who are prayerfully considering planting in downtown Indianapolis. This mission field is ripe for harvest. Pray that the Lord of Harvest will send out workers into His field!

We love sharing encouraging news with the Crossroads District team so keep those baptism photos and stories coming in!

This week, we are rejoicing with Pastor Mike Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie as they celebrated another baptism along with a reaffirmation of baptism. Braxton, the young man who was baptized, was one of Pastor Mike’s contacts through his billiard “trick shots” outreach on Facebook two years ago.
​

​We can’t wait to see all of our ministers and lay delegaters gathering for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. We are “CALLED!”

Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte

​Crossroads District Superintendent

P.S. If you ever hear someone say that Christianity is incompatible with science, you might refer to this graphic from Wes Huff: