Sunday morning, June 23, Pastor David Leitzel and the team at Hamilton Wesleyan Church welcomed me to bring greetings from our district team and to bring the message from God’s Word. Pastor David and Carol have served this church twice with 21 years in this second term. They lovingly lead this rural, multi-generational congregation that has baptized 18 new believers in the past two years. Average attendance increased 11% last year, from 62 to 69. The church hosts the town’s pickle ball league in the church's community center and has an active schedule of musical concerts drawing people from several counties, even into Ohio.
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Following the worship service, I met with the LBA (local board of administration) and then hosted Pastor David and Carol for lunch at the new Panda Express in Auburn. I’m grateful for these faithful servants of God who are making a big difference in a small community!

Last week began with an opportunity to check in with Pastor Matthew Trexler and the pastors that he leads in two coaching cohorts. They joined together for a combined session on Monday morning and then took the afternoon for a golf outing. The star of the show that morning was definitely Wrenn, Pastor Matthew’s first grandchild.
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I met with our district office staff for lunch and an afternoon meeting in Marion. Then, Rev. Jeff Luedtke and I met at The Branch coffee shop in Fairmount for our annual coaching conversation. Pastor Jeff does an incredible job balancing responsibilities between leading Fairmount Wesleyan Church, coaching golf, managing The Branch, and chairing the board of directors for Fairmount Camp!

On Tuesday, I was back in Indy to meet with Rev. Ervin Webster (St. Stephen’s Church) for our coaching conversation. Michael Wood and I met at Wesleyan HQ for continuing conference prep. My next stop was at Autumn Hills Church in Pendleton. Rev. Jerome Bell and his team have offered an art camp for children that continues to grow from the 50s in 2022, to the 70s in 2023, and this year they welcomed more than 90 children!
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My last stop of the day was to drop in for an update and prayer with the LBA at Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield as they continue to search for a new pastor. The church grew in attendance last year and baptized 7 new believers. Pray that God will direct them to the right woman or man to lead this church forward in reaching their community for Christ.
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Rev. Ryan Budde (Westview Wesleyan) and I met on Wednesday morning for our coaching conversation. Congratulations to the Budde family on the marriage of their daughter Alyssa to Mr. Anthony Drewer. Wednesday afternoon, I met with Dr. Bradford Snyder at Monon Wesleyan Church for an update. Dr. Brad and Peggy have announced to the congregation that they’ll be completing their time of service there at the end of September. Wednesday evening, I was back in Marion to drop in on the Never The Same Camp. It was encouraging to hear how God has been moving among our students. It was fun to reconnect with long-time ministry friends and I even found one of our family members, Christie Gorveatte (mother of Thea and wife of Joel), who was at camp last week serving as a counselor.
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Thursday’s coaching conversations included Pastor Ben Parker (Fairmount Back Creek), Pastor Matthew Trexler (Marion The River), and Pastor Barry Dixon (Indianapolis Calvary Family Church). Each of these churches made gains last year and again reminded me that “it takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.” Remarkably, Calvary Family Church baptized 11 new believers, equivalent to 28% of their worship attendance of 39.

Friday was a day of rest and then on Saturday morning I headed over to Frankfort for a coaching conversation with Pastor Rodriguez. Rev. Calimerio and Maria Rodriguez have pastored Templo de Poder Iglesia Wesleyana for more than 20 years, since 2001. Worship attendance this year grew by 35% (from 68 to 92) and they celebrated 8 baptisms. Praise God for these victories and the growth of this ministry.

Thank you for sharing your praise reports of how God is working in your local church. Pastor Theo Griffin (soon to be “Dr” Griffin) passed along the good news from Greenfield Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church. They completed another successful sports camp outreach to children last week with an average of 96 students present. Sunday’s celebration included 2 baptisms and a mortgage-burning ceremony. God is on the move in Greenfield!
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Pastor Allen Gross shared the story from Cicero United Family Church creatively reaching out to 50 neighbors on Saturday night and then celebrating another baptism on Sunday morning. Last year, Cicero’s worship attendance grew by 23% (from 65 to 80) with 8 professions of faith and 4 baptisms. Praise the Lord for lives being #MadeNew!
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Dr. Matthew Stewart has pastored Sweetser Wesleyan Church since 2013 and for the past 10 years has led their Bible Bowl quizzing team. Last week they competed in the national level contest at Houghton University. Congratulations on a strong finish as the 2nd place team. Pastor Matthew received a unanimous call to become the pastor of Howard-Miami Church (formerly Mennonite) and will begin his ministry there in July. We pray for God’s blessing on the Stewart family in their new assignment and join in prayer for Sweetser as they begin their pastoral search process.
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The day we’ve been waiting for is almost here! This Saturday, more than 300 lay leaders and clergy will convene at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion for our annual Crossroads District Conference. We’ll hear from our General Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Schmidt, and other special guests. We’ll share communion and be led in worship by Janiel Caraballo. Janiel, Leana, his wife, and their family are planting Exit Church, our newest church in Anderson. We’ll be encouraged by the progress of the past year and challenged by the growing mission field around us. Pray for the delegates and the decisions that we’ll be making.
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Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

I hope Father’s Day, June 16, was a good day for your church and your family. It can be a special day for those who still have their fathers with them. It is a day of memories for those who have fathers on the other side of eternity. My father, Dr. Ken Gorveatte, went home to his eternal reward on September 17, 2022. In addition to being a wonderful father, Dad pastored three churches in our Crossroads District (LifeSpring, Lifeway, and Brinker Heights). I’m grateful for all the fathers who continue to impact our world for God!
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Sherry’s father, Rev. Bob Wilkerson, continues to be a blessing to our family and I was able to join Sherry and worship with him at his home, Lighthouse Assembly of God in Gas City. Before meeting them for worship, I was able to drop in at my home church, The River, as Pastor Matthew Trexler preached on “The Pursuit.” It was another encouraging day at The River with 18 people standing to publicly profess faith in Christ. Assistant Pastor Sam Kauerauf shared a praise report from last week’s NTS Camp. The River sent 106 teens and 24 of these students made first-time professions of faith.
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Last week included a big move for our family from Upland to Gaston. It was full speed from Monday through Wednesday to make the 14-mile journey, but we completed the project with help from so many people including Jenna Love, Amante King, and Ocdulia Ellerman. It will take us some time to get settled but we’re looking forward to welcoming our district family to an open house in August. Thank you for your prayers and your patience during the crazy transition last week!
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I was back on the trail Thursday with coaching conversations in Lafayette. My first stop was with Rev. Joe Park. Pastor Joe will have served Evergreen Wesleyan Church for 50 years and the church is planning a special celebration on July 14. Rev. Judy Hatt (Fowler Hope Church) joined me in Lafayette for our coaching conversation and a special lunch to celebrate her 85th birthday. Pastor Hatt is stepping away from full-time ministry to relocate nearer to her daughter in Ohio, but she hopes to continue to preach and serve as God opens the door.
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My last stop of the day was in Indianapolis with Rev. O_____ P_____. "O" and I first met when I was serving as pastor of Baku International Fellowship in Azerbaijan, almost 25 years ago. We’ve continued to stay in touch through the years. God has continued to bless his ministry of mobilizing workers for the harvest among unreached people groups. It was a joy to reconnect and celebrate the faithfulness of God in our families and ministries.

Friday, I was able to drop in at Fairmount Camp for the closing rally of this year’s youth camp. Congratulations to Rev. Andrew Kinney and his team for the powerful program (with IWU professor Dr. DJ Coleman preaching) and the tremendous spiritual response at this year’s camp. Rev. Kinney reported a sold-out camp with 280 students registered.
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At least 15 students prayed to receive Christ for the first time, 11 students declared a call to ministry, and more than 200 students recommitted to discipleship. Special thanks to Krista Brown, Fairmount Camp’s Executive Director, and her team for offering this excellent ministry to churches in the Crossroads District and beyond. Plans next year call for offering a separate week for junior and senior high students.

My last stop on Friday was in Indianapolis with Rev. Dennis and Barb Croy. Pastor Dennis (East Liberty Church) is recovering from a bone marrow transplant. They are grateful for the love, prayers and support of their church family and many friends as they continue on this journey to a full recovery and return to ministry.
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I was back in Indy on Saturday morning to meet with Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaughn as they are exploring the potential for launching a new ministry in the Fountain Square neighborhood. A Nazarene pastor and his family from Virginia stopped by. His wife’s father had pastored the former Central Wesleyan Church back in the 1980s. We had a blessed time of prayer together thanking God for His faithfulness in the past and looking toward future Kingdom possibilities in this community.

God is on the move at Albion Wesleyan Church! Rev. Sam Maddox reported another baptism this Sunday. A few years ago, Pastor Sam shared the Gospel with Eric while driving him from the correctional facility to his work release assignment. Eric, once entangled in addiction and drug dealing, has found freedom in Christ and publicly professed his faith through baptism yesterday. Praise the Lord!
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Pastor Terry Vaughn and the team at The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka continue to see God working in powerful ways. Yesterday, they dedicated two children, welcomed 130 in attendance, and baptized another new believer. Pastor Terry had been ministering to Irving through the last year as part of their outreach in the community park. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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Congratulations to Rev. Kalina Carlson and her husband, Brad, on the arrival of their son Ralph Bradley, last week. Rev. Carlson has previously served on our district staff and was the youth pastor at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne. The Carlsons now make their home in Chesterton, near Pastor Kalina’s father. We’re excited for their happy addition!
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Congratulations to Youth Pastor Trevor Dailey (North Anderson Wesleyan Church) and to Ashley, his wife, on the safe arrival of their twin boys, Eli and Zeke! Ashley was released but please pray that the boys will continue to grow stronger and soon be able to join her at home.
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Congratulations to Rev. Clifton and Arletta Ashlock on celebrating 50 years of marriage! They have three children all serving the Lord, including Rev. Laura Walls who is Assistant Pastor at Waterline Church. Pastor Clifton is concluding his service as pastor at Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield this year. We thank the Lord for the beautiful example and Kingdom impact of their marriage.
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Only 12 more days until our ministers and lay delegates gather for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion!

Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!
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​Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte
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Crossroads District Superintendent

P.S. Here’s the website for district conference information:
​https://conference.crossroadsdistrict.org/

Sunday, June 9, Pastor Mike Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie celebrated the commissioning of Janiel and Leana Caraballo. The Caraballos have been on staff at Rising Hope Church as church-planting residents while they’ve been laying the groundwork for Exit Church, a new Wesleyan ministry in Anderson. I had the privilege of bringing greetings from our Crossroads District team and joining in the commissioning prayer.
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Pastor Joe Jackson and the team at Anderson United Wesleyan Church are hosting the Caraballo family in their parsonage this year while the church planting moves into the launching phase. Janiel and Leana will also provide bilingual ministry to Hispanic members of the United congregation this year. Please keep the Exit Church team in your prayers as they make disciples in the Anderson community.
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Our district office staff met in Marion on Monday and then I traveled to Indianapolis for a supper meeting with Rev. Benjamin Tuimuk, pastor of Shalom Church. Tuesday included coaching conversations with Dr. Matthew Stewart (Sweetser Wesleyan) and Nathan Mabry (North Wabash Wesleyan). My last stop of the day was with Rev. Dan Fisher and the LBA (Local Board of Administration) at Delphi Wesleyan Church. Worship attendance at Delphi Wesleyan increased by 15% this year (from 47 to 54) and baptisms doubled to 11 this year.
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Coaching conversations on Wednesday included Rev. Joe Jackson (Anderson United), Rev. Michael Hewitt (Muncie Rising Hope), and Rev. Eric George (Muncie Memorial Drive). I wrapped up coaching conversations for the week with Rev. David Shafer (North Anderson) and Rev. David Leitzel (Hamilton Wesleyan). Pastor Shafer wins the prize for best T-shirt worn to a coaching conversation this week.
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Sherry and I received another invitation to a high school graduation reception for this past Saturday afternoon. Pastor Matthew and Nicole Trexler hosted a delightful party for Levi with family and friends gathering to celebrate with them. Levi is sensing God’s call on his life for ministry and is planning to enroll at Indiana Wesleyan University for the fall semester.
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We’re rejoicing with churches across our district who continue to witness God moving in people’s lives. Pastor Ryan Budde and the team at Jonesboro Westview Wesleyan Church celebrated five baptisms on June 9. Westview saw 20 people profess faith in Christ and 12 baptisms. Praise the Lord!
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Rev. Rob Tippey and the team at Wabash New Journey Church are thanking God for two more baptisms on Sunday morning, June 9. This past conference year, New Journey Church saw 27 people profess faith in Christ and 13 people baptized. God is moving!
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Pastor Paul Van Cise and the team at Bryant Wesleyan Church had the joy of baptizing 3 more new believers on June 9. It is encouraging to see God at work in our cities. suburbs, and in our valued rural communities. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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Youth camps are in full swing starting this week. NTS (Never The Same) camp is back at Indiana Wesleyan University both this week and next. The youth camp at Fairmount sold out for the second year in a row. These camps are significant opportunities for spiritual impact in the next generation. Please pray for these campers and the staff who are serving them.

It’s not too early to make plans to participate in the Wesleyan youth leaders’ training event coming to Indianapolis on October 11-12. The price is right and the location is convenient. Make every effort to be there and to bring a team of youth workers from your church.
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​Thank you for your prayers for Rev. Dennis Croy. Here’s an update he and Barb wanted us to share with you: “We are praising the Lord that I received my bone marrow transplant on May 23rd. I was discharged from the hospital on June 5th. The doctors earlier said I would be in the hospital for 4 weeks. God provided a blessing and I only had to be there 2 weeks and 6 days. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.” Let’s keep partnering in prayer!

Many of our pastors and their spouses have joined us for one of our Friday fellowships over the past seven years at our home in Upland. We have enjoyed these monthly gatherings as well as hosting church planning retreats and special district guests such as Bishop Siachitema. We accepted an unexpected offer to sell our house a few weeks ago and will be downsizing to a home in Gaston. I’ll be off for a few days this week as we make that move. We look forward to more opportunities to host pastors and other district guests in the years ahead.

Only 19 more days until our ministers and lay delegates gather for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion!

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

​Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte
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Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday morning, June 2, I was privileged to represent the Crossroads District and join the congregation of Monte de Sion in Indianapolis as they welcomed their new pastor, Walter Martir. Walter and Diana, his wife, are both ministerial students in FLAMA. Rev. Nicholas and Rev. Adriana Zarate (leading Rey de Gloria at Noblesville Circle of Hope) welcomed the Martir family into The Wesleyan Church and started them in the ministerial preparation process.
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Rev. Grace Lopez, assisted by Rev. Neftali Lopez, has been serving as the interim pastor for Monte de Sion in the transition after Chris Granados resigned. The church responded well to Pastor Grace’s leadership. Attendance increased (from 50 to 85) and they baptized 6 new believers. Join us in praying for Pastor Martir and his family as they lead Monte de Sion in Great Commission ministry.

My last stop of the day was overlooking the reservoir in Brookville, Indiana for the wedding of Rev. Claudia Ruiz and Mr. Stanley Wilson. Pastor Claudia was escorted and presented by her three sons. Pastor John Hannan officiated and attendance included congregation members from Union City and Richmond. Rev. Joe Schmidt, Rev. Grace & Rev. Neftali Lopez, and I were present from the district team along with Rev. Hannan. We pray for God’s blessing on this marriage and their continuing ministry.
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Last week’s itinerary was abbreviated with Memorial Day on Monday but I still had the joy of connecting with several pastors for coaching conversations. On Tuesday, I met with Rev. Andy Cole (Lapel Daybreak), Rev. Andy Riemersma (Westfield ONE Church), and finished the day with Rev. Allen Gross (Cicero United Family). Daybreak saw the number of professions of faith double from 15 to 30. Baptisms at ONE Church rose from 8 to 13 with worship attendance increasing from 89 to 115. Worship attendance also increased at United Family Church from 65 to 80.

Wednesday morning, I was back in Marion to meet with Michael Wood, District Administrator, and Darah Martin, Dr. Chris Williams’ executive assistant, who is also serving the district team. Plans are coming together for annual conference, June 29, and we can’t wait to see you there!

My next coaching conversation was with Pastor John Hannan at CrossRoads Church in Union City. Pastor John and Beth, his wife, planted CrossRoads Church in August 2019 just months before the pandemic. The church is regathering with worship attendance increasing from 32 to 41 this year. They also baptized 12 new believers, up from 6 last year. If life wasn’t challenging enough, Pastor John and Beth obeyed God’s direction in becoming foster parents for two special needs preschoolers over a year ago. After our coaching conversation, Beth and the girls joined us for supper. They are praising God for miracles in their church and home!
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Thursday morning, I met with Pastor Jarod Osborne (Warsaw Pathway) and then met with Pastor Ed Friberg (Plymouth Shiloh) in the afternoon. Pathway had another strong year of ministry, including their outreach into the county jail. Pastor Ed is in his first year leading Shiloh and he was encouraged that worship attendance has increased by 20% (from 96 to 116).

After a day of reading and rest on Friday, I was back on the road Saturday. My first stop was in Anderson with Rev. Mike Weller who leads Restoration Church. Restoration Church is a unique ministry to the homeless and working poor in downtown Anderson. They offer meals on Sunday evenings with Bible teaching, discussion groups, and prayer. Once each month, Restoration holds an outdoor worship service in the park next door to their rented facility. Space is a serious challenge as worship attendance now averages 52.

Rev. Duane Summitt (Fishersburg Wesleyan) and I met for coffee and coaching in Tipton where Duane also works in a local car dealership. Please remember Pastor Duane in your prayers as he consults with doctors over a continuing health concern.
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My last stop was in Marion for Elliot Williams’ graduation reception. Dr. Chris (Assistant District Superintendent) and Marietta Williams have had a busy few weeks with this reception and their daughter’s wedding. Elliott will be attending Indiana Wesleyan University this fall.

Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaughn are praising the Lord for another baptism yesterday at The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka. They had a record number of baptisms last year and attendance grew from 36 to 100 with the move into a permanent facility. #MadeNew
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Pastor Josh Fox and the team at Hartford City Wesleyan Church celebrated 3 baptisms on Sunday. One young lady who was baptized shared her powerful testimony of coming out of atheism to discover freedom in Christ!
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Pastor Sam Maddox and the team at Albion Wesleyan Church celebrated another baptism this week and they’re still thanking God for the powerful revival services they had with Rev. Garner.

Pastor Scott Rhyno and the team at Waterline Church celebrated another baptism yesterday. That makes 3 of the past 8 weeks when they’ve had at least one baptism. Praise God!
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The River Church in Marion celebrated baptisms again yesterday. Pastor Matthew Trexler and his team have seen 593 people publicly profess their faith in Christ in the past two conference years. Praise the Lord for lives being #MadeNew!
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