Rev. John Hannan and the team at CrossRoads Church in Union City celebrated the 5th anniversary of this church plant on Sunday, September 29. I was honored to be there on their launching Sunday and it was exciting to be back with them again yesterday for this special celebration. Pastor John and Beth, his wife, started casting vision back in 2019 with just a handful of followers around tables in a local restaurant. This new congregation made it through the pandemic and continues to make a difference in this small community straddling the border of Indiana and Ohio.
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CrossRoads Church has baptized more than 40 new believers since launching. The auditorium was packed yesterday to celebrate this ministry milestone. Pastor Hannan and Rev. Claudia Ruiz Wilson have partnered in Hispanic ministry in the area. Pastor Claudia was present with members of the Casa Network for this special occasion. Following the service, we crossed the state line for a delicious fellowship meal provided by the Casa Network.
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Sunday evening, I joined Pastor Ryan Budde and the congregation at Westview Wesleyan Church for an evening of praise through songs and testimonies. Members shared stories of God’s faithfulness and healing touch. Assistant Pastor Brian Holland praised the Lord for the growth of their youth ministry from 10 to more than 50 in the past few years. Many of these students were previously unreached by any church. Now their families are also connecting.
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Last week included coaching conversations and a variety of other connections but the highlight of the week was our first quarterly meeting of the DBA (District Board of Administration). The DBA cares for all business of the Crossroads District Conference between the annual meetings. This business includes a range of items from property transactions to pastoral appointments to approving new church planting projects.

This meeting was held at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion on Thursday afternoon with all but three of our 14 members attending. Rev. Neftali Lopez stepped down from his at-large position when Rev. Grace Lopez accepted appointment as Assistant District Superintendent for Hispanic Ministries. Rev. Matthew Trexler was elected on a three-year term to fill this at-large vacancy. Rev. Scott Rhyno (Pendleton Waterline Church) was elected to serve as District Treasurer. We also welcomed Dr. Dale Sloan (Fort Wayne Three Rivers Church) as a new lay member of the DBA. Dr. Chris Williams, Assistant DS, led the board in a governance exercise around the Four Helpful Lists that is part of the StratOp process.
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In other news of interest, the DBA approved Property Improvement Matching Grants (pastors will be notified this week), funding for 10 scholarships to the Harvest Foundation Retreat in the Dominican Republic (both October 2025 and April 2026), and welcomed Dr. Eddy Shigley (IWU professor) as the newest member of our Circuit Riders. Our meeting closed with a special presentation from Rev. Joshe Bose. Joshe served as national superintendent for The Wesleyan Church in Bangladesh from 2012 to 2024. During his leadership, the number of churches and preaching points grew from 12 to 77. Now, Joshe has accepted the invitation of Global Partners to launch the South Asia Development Project. The DBA was challenged by the reality that 25% of the world’s population lives in that region and less than 2% are Christians. Our meeting closed with prayer for Rev. Bose and this new initiative.
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I have already been in contact with Rev. Jerry Lumston, District Superintendent for our North Carolina West, and we’ll pass along additional information directly to our pastors about opportunities for our churches to respond to the crisis. Please keep our Wesleyan churches and their leaders in your prayers as they work through the recovery efforts and bring aid to their communities.
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Just two more weeks until FUEL is coming to Indianapolis (October 11-12). Rev. Santes Beatty, Director of NextGen Ministries invites all youth and children’s workers to attend this convenient and helpful training event. This year’s event is held right here in our backyard so make tracks, not excuses. (Scholarships are available from the district office if finances would keep you from participating.) Here’s the link to register for the two-day event.
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​Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provided point leadership for these initiatives last year. This week’s excellent report is from Rev. Steve Mathews & Dr. Rich Schenck, District Global Partners Co-Directors. Click here to read their report.
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​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
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​Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte
​
​Crossroads District Superintendent​
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P.S. All credentialed ministers appointed to local church service are invited to save the date of December 7 for our Christmas gathering. This Saturday brunch will be hosted on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University and will feature a Christmas concert from the IWU Chorale. More details to follow. Seating is limited, and a link to RSVP will be sent out soon.

Also, just a friendly reminder that next month (October) is Pastor Appreciation Month! Free resources can be found at this link: ​https://www.wesleyan.org/event/pam-2024
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Sunday morning, September 22, I had the privilege of worshiping with Pastor Kory Christensen and the team at Impact Church in New Haven. Pastor Kory and Becky stepped out in faith to plant this new church back in 2013 and Impact continues to invest deeply in serving the community, especially with their involvement in the public schools.
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Sunday evening, I joined Dr. Richard Schenck and the team at Noblesville Circle of Hope for a presentation by Rev. Joshe Bose on a new initiative in south Asia with Global Partners. Pastors Rich and Carol Schenck have played a significant role in the ministerial education for the field in Bangladesh since 2012. When they began working with Rev. Bose, there were 12 Wesleyan churches in the country. Today, there are 77 churches sharing the Good News!
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Last week began with a special opportunity for area pastors and staff as Rev. Matthew Trexler and The River Church hosted Shawn Lovejoy, founder of the Courageous Leaders coaching organization. The room was full and the conversations were timely for our growing churches.
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Following the morning seminar, Michael Wood and I hosted several of the pastors and their team members for lunch and an opportunity to connect with Rev. Joshe Bose.
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Tuesday morning, I dropped in on Rev. Mike Colaw and the staff at Trinity Church in Indianapolis. Pastor Mike is hosting a monthly connection for Indy area pastors and this month’s session featured Dr. David Smith (one of our circuit riders) for a session on reading scripture as a life-giving spiritual discipline for ministry leaders.
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I traveled on to Emmanuel Church where several of our pastors and their staff were participating in the Courage to Lead seminar that featured presentations from Shawn Lovejoy and his team of coaches, including one of our own, Pastor Matthew Trexler.
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My last stop of the day was at the United Wesleyan Church in Anderson to hear Rev. Yunio Gonzalez, national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church in Cuba. Pastor Joe Jackson and Rev. Mark Atkinson have both visited the churches in Cuba and were excited to introduce Pastor Yunio to more of the churches in the Crossroads District. Pastor Janiel Caraballo (The Exit Church) did a great job translating the sermon.
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Wednesday, I was on the road for a coaching conversation with Pastor Chris Taylor at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Rev. Bose and Dr. Schenck rode along with me and we were able to share an informative lunch gathering with Rev. Ed Friberg (Shiloh Wesleyan Church) and Rev. Ben Jones (Beaver Creek Wesleyan Church).
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Thursday, both Rev. Junio Gonzalez and Rev. Joshe Bose joined me in Indianapolis as we welcomed pastors from across the metro area. The presentations from our colleagues from Cuba and Bangladesh were well-received. We enjoyed the food, fellowship, and prayer.

Rev. Tom Ensz (Global Partners) joined Dr. Schenck, Rev. Bose, and I for supper and a helpful conversation about the new initiative in South Asia. Tom and I first worked together in Alabama as pastors in the Delta District. Sherry and I presented at the Bible college in Manaus, Brazil when he and Grace Ensz were leading that field for Global Partners. I’m grateful for the experienced leadership Tom is bringing to the South Asia project.
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We join Heaven in rejoicing with the exciting news of lives being transformed by the power of the Gospel. Pastor Andy Riemersma and the team at ONE Church in Westfield celebrated three such public professions of faith through the sacrament of baptism on September 22.
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Pastor Andy Cole and the team at Lapel Daybreak Community Church had an exciting morning as two people were baptized. Following the baptism, the wife of the gentleman who was baptized prayed to receive Christ as her Lord. God is on the move in Lapel!
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Pastor Andy Jellison and the team at Lifeway Wesleyan Church (Fort Wayne) had the joy of baptizing three young people on Sunday morning, September 22. Praise the Lord for lives being #MadeNew!

Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provided point leadership for these initiatives last year. This week’s excellent report is from one of our circuit riders, Rev. Mark Atkinson. Read his report at this link.
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​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
​
​Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte
​
​Crossroads District Superintendent​

P.S. All credentialed ministers appointed to local church service are invited to save the date of December 7 for our Christmas gathering. This Saturday brunch will be hosted on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University and will feature a Christmas concert from the IWU Chorale. More details to follow. Seating is limited, and a link to RSVP will be sent out soon.

Sunday morning, September 15, began with a wonderful time of worship and fellowship at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne. Pastor Kyle Horton and his team gave me a warm welcome. Dan Kensinger was honored by Pastor Kyle as volunteer of the month. I was glad to preach and bring greetings from our district team. Following the service, Pastor Kyle and I briefly met with the LBA (local board of administration).
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I left Fort Wayne in time to join Pastor Janiel Caraballo and the team at The Exit Church in Anderson for the launching service of our newest church plant. Special thanks to Pastor Michael Hewitt and Rising Hope Church for coaching and sending the Caraballo family to begin this new work. Pastor Jerry Alexander and the team at Living Hope Church are to be commended for their vision and generosity in hosting this new congregation.
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It was a wonderful celebration service that concluded with their first baptism service. Pray for Pastor Janiel and Leana as they build on this strong beginning and create a movement of disciples making disciples. I was grateful to see several of our area pastors show up to demonstrate their support for this family and this exciting new project.
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Pastor Mike’s team from Rising Hope joined the celebration with two baptisms for their congregation. We plant new churches to reach new community groups and the next generation for Christ. Let’s keep on multiplying disciples and churches until Jesus comes!
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Sunday evening, more than 400 pastors, family, and friends gathered in Marion for the Crossroads District ordination service. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, our General Superintendent brought the message from God’s Word and presided over the ritual of ordination. We ordained nine new ministers of the Gospel and welcomed three transferring ministers from other fellowships.
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Dr. Chris Williams and the team at Lakeview Wesleyan Church did a great job hosting the event. Rev. Carla Working and the DBMD are to be commended for the excellent work they did in preparing these candidates for ordination. Praise God that He is still calling and sending laborers into His harvest field!
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President Lennox was a gracious host and made it possible for me to meet with students and faculty members. We’re always looking for church planters so I was delighted for several conversations about those possibilities. Another highlight of my time at Kingswood was hearing Rev. Matthew DePrez (pastor of Inspire Church in Fremont, MI and a Kingswood alumnus). Pray for Kingswood as Dr. Lennox retires this next year and as the presidential search team convenes.
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I arrived back in time to meet with a new mentoring group of young leaders on the IWU campus. Levi Trexler and Elliot Williams brought along friends for a conversation on Oswald Sanders’ classic book, Spiritual Leadership. I’m looking forward to connecting monthly with them throughout this school year.
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Saturday morning, Sherry and I hosted our first monthly pastors and spouses brunch. This first group met in Warsaw at the Crazy Egg. We had great conversations and a meaningful time of prayer to close our time together. Our next monthly brunch will be at The Branch in Fairmount on October 19. Pastors will receive the link for signing up to confirm their attendance.
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From Warsaw, Sherry and I drove on the Plymouth in time to connect with Dr. Chris Williams and the leadership cohort that he’s working with each month. Leaders get better when they learn from other leaders and when the leader gets better everyone benefits! Dr. Williams has a couple of slots left in the Plymouth group and in the Marion group. Contact him directly ASAP if you’d like to jump in with one of these cohorts.
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Nothing brings us greater joy than to hear stories of lives being transformed by the power of the Gospel. Dr. Craig Thurmon and The Encounter Assembly celebrated five baptisms yesterday morning. We are so grateful for the wonderful work that Pastor Craig and Tiffany are doing in planting this church which began online during the pandemic. We’re believing with them for great days ahead at TEA!
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Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing several of those reports for you to enjoy. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provided point leadership for these initiatives last year. This week’s excellent report is from one of our circuit riders, Dr. Lo. Read his report at this link.
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​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
​
​Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte
​
​Crossroads District Superintendent​

Sunday, September 8, marked the 100th anniversary for Eastview Wesleyan Church in Gas City. Pastor Noah Farmer and his team hosted a community concert on Saturday evening with more than 1000 present and then welcomed nearly 400 people for the morning worship service. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent, brought congratulations from The Wesleyan Church and I brought greetings from our district family. Pastor Noah preached a message challenging the church to stay on mission and then concluded the service by leading the church in celebrating three baptisms!
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Sunday afternoon, I traveled to Lafayette to meet with leaders at The Branch Wesleyan Church to work with them on securing transitional pastoral leadership. Please keep The Branch in your prayers.

Welcome home to Rev. and Mrs. Philip Trent! Rev. Trent, who has been serving in Illinois, is coming back to Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield. Parkview was planted by Rev. Trent’s grandfather and was later pastored by Rev. Paul Trent, Philip’s father. The members voted 100% to extend the call to Pastor Philip and we look forward to welcoming their family back to the Crossroads District.
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Last week’s schedule was abbreviated with Labor Day Monday, but I enjoyed connecting with Dr. Steve DeNeff (College Wesleyan), Rev. Scott McDermid (Sheridan Six Points), Dr. Morris Jones (Lebanon Wesleyan), and Rev. Randy Yaryan (Winchester Wesleyan) for our annual coaching conversations.

Darah Martin, our office assistant, and I met with Lasana Williams Ritchie to learn more about the prayer retreat ministry that she leads from her home in Marion. Lasana, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur Williams, also offers prayer seminars for local churches. Her ministry was highlighted this summer at Fairmount Camp and you can learn more about her work from her website: creatingfromhisimprint.com
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Through the generosity of the DBA, we provide StrengthFinders coaching for free to our pastors and church leadership teams. I was able to meet with one of our emerging leaders for a one-on-one coaching session on Saturday and also enjoyed the opportunity of working with Rev. Andy Jellison’s team at Lifeway Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne on Wednesday. If you or your team would like to include this in your staff development, just reach out to our office.
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Nothing brings us greater joy than to hear the stories of new believers taking the step of obedience to publicly profess their new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism. Rev. Nathan Richardson and the team at Southview Wesleyan Church are rejoicing with a young man who took that step of faith on Sunday morning. Praise God for lives #MadeNew!

Rev. Michael Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie are thrilled to share the news of a young woman’s baptism this past Sunday. What ​a joy to see lives changed by God’s love!

​The Crossroads District is excited to offer a FREE online course on Wesleyan Church History and Discipline! If you or someone you know still needs to fulfill this requirement for credentialing, this is the perfect opportunity. Classes will be held Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:30 PM, starting September 26 for 8 sessions. Click Here to register.​
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​Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing several of those reports for you to enjoy. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provide point leadership for these initiatives. This week’s excellent report is from one of our circuit riders, Rev, Mark Atkinson. Click Here to read his report.
​
​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
​
​Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte
​
​Crossroads District Superintendent

*** Save the Date: June 28, 2025 District Conference!

Sunday, September 1, Sherry and I worshiped outdoors with Pastor Scott Rhyno and the team at Waterline Church in Ingalls Park as they prepared to move into their permanent facility next weekend. It’s been a challenging year but the congregation has held together and there was excitement in the air as they make this move. Waterline has sponsored Alpha in the past and already has community members who have signed up for the new semester of Alpha starting this month. God is on the move in Ingalls!
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The family highlight this Labor Day weekend was welcoming home three of our four children with their spouses along with 3 of our 5 grandchildren. The happy occasion that brought us all together was Dr. Sherry Gorveatte’s birthday on September 1. We celebrated with family and friends on Sunday evening and then Dr. G completed a six-mile walk on Monday to mark the milestone. Sherry began her new career last month as college professor at Taylor University teaching accounting in the Cornwall School of Business. God has been so good!
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Another milestone was marked on Thursday, August 29, when Rev. Duane (pastor at Silver Lake Wesleyan Church) and JoEllen Seitz celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to this wonderful couple who have served Christ together for seven decades!
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​We continue to celebrate stories of lives being changed by the Gospel. Baptism reports are one of the ways that we are able to catch a glimpse of God at work in our churches. Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaughn shared the good news of another baptism last weekend at The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka. I met with the Vaughns in Indianapolis on Saturday to hear more about the steps they are taking to launch a campus of The Bridge in the Fountain Square neighborhood.
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Pastor Scott McDermid and the team at Sheridan Six Points Church celebrated another baptism last weekend. Praise the Lord for young ones responding to the Gospel!
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Rev. Michael Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie are praising God for two more people who publicly professed their faith in Christ through baptism this Sunday!
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Rev. Matthew Trexler and the team at The River Church are praising God for nine more baptisms on Sunday morning. We rejoice with all these lives #MadeNew!
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PRIORITY for ALL Credentialed Ministers in the Crossroads District: We will gather for the Celebration of Ministry on September 15, 5 p.m., at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. The ordained ministers will meet promptly at 4:30 for our group photo and directions for our participation in the service. The service begins promptly at 5 p.m. led by our General Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Schmidt. We will also celebrate retiring ministers and those who have achieved decadal milestones in their ministry. The ordination service will be followed by a reception to greet those newly ordained and for a time of fellowship.
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Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing several of those reports for you to enjoy. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provide point leadership for these initiatives. This week’s excellent report is from one of our circuit riders, Dr. David Smith. Read his report at this link.
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​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
​
​Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte
​
​Crossroads District Superintendent