Sherry and I worshiped with the congregation at Marion Lakeview Wesleyan Church on Sunday morning, November 27. These are exciting days at Lakeview with Dr. Chris Williams and his team leading the church in growth and spiritual impact. They have witnessed 30 decisions for Christ since September and celebrated 9 baptisms this month. The church has also responded generously with global missions giving exceeding their goal by more than $10,000 so far this year.
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I brought greetings from the district team and Dr. Mark Schnell brought the first message in their Advent series entitled “Miraculous.” Following the service, Dr. Williams and I met with his board of administration. Dr. Williams, or Pastor Chris, as he prefers to be called, is a blessing to his own congregation but also blesses our district team through serving as Assistant DS and Vice Chair of the DBA, and by leading our Next Level training for church leaders.

Last week’s schedule of district ministry was limited to Monday and Tuesday. I met with our district staff team in Marion on Monday and then traveled to Richmond to meet with the pastoral search team at LifeSpring Church. The team is off to a strong start in developing their candidate profile and mobilizing the church to pray for God’s direction in this search process.
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Tuesday, I was on the road again for coaching conversations with Rev. Jon Noggle in Elwood (Central Wesleyan Church) and with Dr. Morris Jones in Lebanon (Lebanon Wesleyan Church). I had the privilege of connecting with Jim Engelberth on Tuesday afternoon. Jim is a long-time member of Indianapolis Trinity Wesleyan Church and is in his first term as the vicechair of the LBA. I was grateful once again for the significant impact so many lay leaders have in our congregations.

Many of you were able to gather with family for Thanksgiving and we shared that blessing as our children came home from Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. Then our extended family gathered at LifeChange Church in Burnips, Michigan on Saturday morning for a celebration of life service. Rev. Dr. Ken Gorveatte (whose ministry included pastoring Wesleyan churches in Fort Wayne, Marion, and Fountain City) passed away on September 17. Only a few of us were able to attend his funeral there in Canada so this service allowed 42 of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to honor his memory and pass along his legacy of faith to future generations. Thank you for your prayers!
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This will be a busy week as our district team has the privilege of hosting three Christmas gatherings for our local church pastors and their spouses. We’ll be gathering in Fishers on Monday night, Plymouth on Tuesday night, and in Marion on Thursday night. Next week our gatherings will be in Fort Wayne on Monday, Richmond on Tuesday, and Lafayette on Thursday. We’re looking forward to these casual evenings with fellowship over a meal with our ministry colleagues to begin the Advent season.
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The District Board of Administration is meeting in Marion on Thursday, December 1, and then on Sunday evening, December 4, we have our final district prayer gathering of the year. Rev. Josh Bowlin and the team at Chapel Poke Wesleyan Church in Marion are hosting this prayer gathering at 6 p.m. and we would welcome you to join us.

We’re rejoicing with Reverend Lilly Kurker and the team at Carmel Amistad Iglesia Wesleyana as they celebrated five baptisms last Sunday! Pastor Kurker is off to a strong start in her first year of leading this vibrant congregation. Praise the Lord for lives being #MadeNew!
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We’re also celebrating with Pastor Tony Bye and the team at Marion Brookhaven Wesleyan Church as they witnessed two more baptisms yesterday. What a wonderful way to end Thanksgiving week and move into the Advent season!
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Our prayers and condolences are extended to the family and friends of Mrs. Phyllis Rinkenberg who passed away on Tuesday, November 22. Mrs. Rinkenberg was the widow of Rev. Robert Rinkenberg and together they served Wesleyan churches across Indiana including Plummer’s Chapel, Fowler, LaOtto, and Fairmount. Their final pastoral appointment was Sheridan Six Points Wesleyan Church where they served faithfully for 10 years until retirement in 1990. Mrs. Rinkerberg served the church well in many capacities including leading women’s ministry, teaching Sunday School, and as office manager for the Central Indiana Camp in Frankfort. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, November 28, at Six Points Church (1545 W. 226 Street, Sheridan) at 7:30 p.m. with visitation from 3 p.m. until the service.

Our prayers and condolences are extended to Rev. Jerry Alexander on the passing of his brother Jack Alexander of Frankton on November 22. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 1, at 11:00 AM at Circle of Hope Wesleyan Church in Anderson with visitation prior to the service. 

Please remember to pray for Rev. Dr. Kerry Kind who continues to make progress in a long recovery from a double lung transplant on November 13. Kerry and his family post updates on Caring Bridge.

There’s still time to register your team for the Next Level Church Experience led by Dr. Chris Williams. This experience includes the opportunity for your team to develop an updated action plan and receive a $1000 matching grant for your next outreach initiative. Check out the video link for more information.

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

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

P.S. If you’ve not yet acquired your copy of the 2022 Discipline, the free digital version is now available for downloading from this website:
​https://resources.wesleyan.org/the-discipline-2022

Dr. Sherry Gorveatte and I had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. David Cox and the team at Laketon Wesleyan Church as they celebrated the 125th anniversary of this ministry. The auditorium was full for this special service with members, friends, and relatives gathering to mark this significant milestone. Pastor David’s message challenged us to remember the past with thanksgiving and move into the future with faith and persistence.
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Pastor Cox led us in honoring the memory of Esther Dickey, Laketon’s first pastor back in 1897, and we joined in celebrating Mrs. Kathleen Morris, the oldest living member who was present with us today, Mrs. Morris is 97 years old, the widow of Rev. Floyd Morris who pastored Laketon, and she still plays the piano for worship. After the service and reception, we hosted Pastor David and Suzanne for lunch and enjoyed hearing more stories of God’s blessing on their ministry together in Laketon.

Last week began with the district staff meeting on Monday afternoon followed by an extended call review with the LBA at The River Church in Marion. Rev. Michael Hewitt and I drove to Georgetown, Kentucky on Monday evening to participate in Tuesday’s meeting of the Heartland Region’s district superintendent roundtable.
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Tuesday’s working session, held at Focus Church in Georgetown, was very positive with helpful contributions from the church planting champions representing each of our respective districts. It is a blessing to serve at this roundtable with DS Les Crossfield (Greater Ohio District), DS Doug Preston (Indiana South District), and DS Aaron Sherman (KY-TN District).

Wednesday, I was back on the road in our district for a coaching conversation with Rev. David Leitzel (Hamilton Wesleyan Church), hosted lunch with some of our Fort Wayne area pastors, and then traveled on to Jonesboro for a coaching conversation with Rev. Noah Farmer (Eastview Wesleyan Church). My final stop of the day was in Elwood for the revival service hosted by Rev. Jon Noggle at Central Wesleyan Church. Rev. Ray Lasalle, the evangelist, was his senior pastor when Jon was first serving as a youth minister in Ohio.
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Assistant DS Carla Working, Michael Wood, and I hosted the annual fall gathering for retired pastors and their spouses at College Wesleyan Church on Thursday morning. This is always a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. We heard a powerful teaching from Dr. Bud Bence, enjoyed delicious refreshments catered by Velvet Haisley, and were blessed by the testimony of Rev. William Babb II who is our oldest ordained minister (100 years old) in the Crossroads District.

I traveled to Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon for a coaching conversation with Rev. Gawin Anderson, our new pastor at Indianapolis Divine Direction Church, then made it back to Jonesboro in time to drop in on the Thanksgiving outreach dinner that Eastview Wesleyan Church provided for their neighbors. They had a great team with more than 30 volunteers serving and a positive response from their community.

Friday, I met with Ryan Biegel, Youth For Christ Executive Director for our area, over lunch in Marion for an exciting update on his recent mission trip to India. Then, on Friday evening, Sherry and I hosted four of our pastoral couples for an evening of fellowship and prayer. We are blessed to serve with such a committed team of servant leaders!
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Saturday morning, I joined Pastor Gawin Anderson and the LBA at Indianapolis Divine Direction Church for board training and development, This was a timely session with a new pastor joining their team and with the recent changes in effect with the publishing of the new Discipline of The Wesleyan Church.
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If you’ve not yet acquired your copy of the 2022 Discipline, the free digital version is now available for downloading from this website:
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Nothing is more exciting than rejoicing with our churches that are celebrating public professions of faith in the waters of baptism. Rev. Scott McDermid and the team at Sheridan Six Points Church set a new record on Sunday with 11 baptisms.

Rev. David Dignal and the team at Edgerton Wesleyan Church are giving thanks to God today for three more baptisms. Praise the Lord for every person being #MadeNew by the gospel of Jesus Christ!
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We’re also celebrating with Rev. Rochelle (Circle City Church) and Travis Jenkins as they presented Atlas, their baby boy, to receive the sacrament of baptism administered by Rev. Emily Hines (Brookhaven Wesleyan Church) on Saturday morning, November 19. Thank God for His covenant promises and prevenient grace!
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Our district office will close at noon on Wednesday and reopen on Monday, November 28, to allow our team to invest time with their families. May God bless you and your loved ones as you gather to offer thanksgiving to our gracious Father.
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Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday, November 13, Dr. Sherry Gorveatte and I had the privilege of worshiping together with Rev. Matthew Trexler and his team at The River Church in Marion. I brought greetings from our district team and led the congregation in prayer for Pastor Matthew in each of the three services.
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This is an exciting season of ministry at The River with more than 60 baptisms in this calendar year, including 8 last Sunday. After the services, Sherry and I hosted the Trexlers for lunch. In addition to his leadership at The River, Pastor Matthew leads a coaching cohort of area pastors and is in his first year of service as treasurer for our Crossroads District.

Sunday evening, I traveled to Plymouth Wesleyan Church where Dr. Oliver Dongell and his staff graciously hosted this month’s district prayer gathering. Dr. Dongell, Rev. Dan Fisher (Delphi Wesleyan Church), Pastor Terry Vaughn (South Bend The Bridge Urban Church) and Pastor Jose Cardenas (Elkhart Cielos Abiertos Iglesia Wesleyana) assisted me in leading our prayer time. After our prayer gathering, I enjoyed catching up with Rev. Marc Ulrich (Merrillville ReThink Church) and Rev. Taylor Hulse (youth pastor at Plymouth Wesleyan). They have the unique connection that Taylor’s mother was Marc’s Sunday School teacher. I love seeing the ministry connections from generation to generation.
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On Monday, I met with our staff team in Marion and then worked from home on Tuesday before heading over Elwood Main Street Wesleyan Church. Rev. Tim Becker and his team hosted a three night revival with guest speaker Peter Heck. Pastor Becker was encouraged by strong attendance and positive response. This week, Rev. Jon Noggle and the team at Elwood Central Wesleyan Church are hosting their fall revival with evangelist Rev. Ray LaSalle preaching through Wednesday evening.
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Wednesday morning, I met with Rev. John Freed, the pastor who planted Waterline Church, over breakfast and then met with Dr. Chris Williams and Rev. Matthew Trexler in preparation for our upcoming DBA meeting. Rev. Bob McHenry (Marion Nelson Street) and I met over lunch for a coaching conversation.

Thursday, I met with Dr. Aaron Perry and leaders of the LBA from Richmond LifeSpring Church to affirm the plans they’re making for Dr. Perry to serve as interim lead pastor through this time of transition. LifeSpring is blessed with a great ministry team and exceptional lay leaders. Pray with us as they take the next steps in their pastoral search process.

Thursday afternoon, I met with Rev. Johnnie and Rev. Amanda Blair for an encouraging update on their ministry at Tipton Trinity and their vision for expanding ministry into Kokomo. I stopped by to have prayer with Rev. Logan and Nancy Westrick (Tipton Ash Street Wesleyan Church) and then joined Mr. Roger Gross, District Director of Wesleyan Men, with some of his leadership team for supper at Cicero United Family Church. While I was there it was good to catch up with Rev. Alan Gross to learn about the positive response to their after-school tutoring program.
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Saturday morning, Rev. Clifton Ashlock and members of the greater Indianapolis District Board of Ministerial Development convened to interview licensed ministers at Wesleyan Headquarters. I enjoyed sitting in with this important team and I was encouraged by the quality of the ordination candidates that are being guided through this preparation journey. The future is bright!
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We’re praying this week with Dr. Kerry Kind, former General Secretary of Education and Clergy Development, as he recovers from a successful lung transplant surgery. We’re also joining in prayer with Michael Wood (Woody), who is a valued member of our district office team. Michael was hospitalized briefly over the weekend and is awaiting test results to address some health concerns.
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We’re praising the Lord with Dr. Chris Williams and the team at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion as they’re witnessing spiritual growth and attendance increases. Yesterday, they celebrated nine more baptisms! Another three individuals committed their lives to Christ for a total of 31 decisions for Christ since Labor Day weekend!
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Pastor Andy Riemersma and the team at ONE Church in Westfield are rejoicing with 126 in attendance and three more baptisms yesterday. That makes 10 baptisms in the first 10 months of this new congregation. Let’s keep praying for our church planters and their families!
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Pastor Randy Yaryan (Winchester Wesleyan Church) passed along the good news that nineteen children prayed to receive Christ through their Kid’s Crusade last week! Praise the Lord!
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Pastors, you along with your team are invited to attend our spring Next Level workshop, an intentional training day designed for pastors and a core team of 2-6 lay leaders. This training focuses on empowering church health and effectiveness by engaging with essential growth engines that every church needs. Each church will be trained in five key growth engines and will receive coaching for six months following the training day to develop customized action plans for your local church. There are ten total spots available for churches with four already taken, so don't delay in signing up! You may register your team by visiting:
​www.crossroadsdistrict.org/nextlevel

Three million people in Indiana still have no relationship with Christ and His Church. Let’s 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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Sunday morning, November 6, Sherry and I had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. Kyle Horton and the team at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne. I brought greetings from our district team, shared the morning message, and met briefly with the Local Board of Administration after the service.
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Pastor Kyle and Nadine Horton joined Sherry and me for lunch and a fun conversation catching up on their sabbatical experience. Three Rivers Church provided Pastor Kyle with a 12-week sabbatical this summer both in appreciation for his ministry through the pandemic and as an investment in his refreshed leadership for the exciting opportunities ahead.

I also appreciate the opportunity to catch up with Rev. Kalina Carlson Smith, assistant pastor at Three Rivers and a member of our District Board of Ministerial Development. I had heard about a special project she’s been working on and was grateful for her willingness to offer this to our district team.
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Advent Grief Boxes are a great resource to help grieving pastors, congregants, families, and friends through the Christmas Season. Each Advent Grief Box is designed to last the entire Advent season and consists of five devotionals (one for each theme of Advent and one for Christmas Day), an activity that pairs with each devotional, the materials to complete each activity, and a hand-poured advent candle. The devotions and activities are designed to bring God to the center of grief and suffering through the telling of the Christmas narrative. Pastor Kalina was inspired to make these boxes after her mom passed away in December of 2018. For more information about these grief boxes, visit the links below. Also, Crossroads District clergy can receive 15% off an Advent Grief Box by using the link below, or visiting lielgriefboxes.etsy.com and using the promo code CROSSROADS. 

Click Here To Order An Advent Grief Box

Sunday evening, I was invited to serve as a resource person for a local congregation that had already voted to disaffiliate from the UMC. Once that process is finalized, they have formally expressed their intention to become the newest congregation in our district family. These are difficult conversations for any congregation. Let’s pray that God grants discernment to each congregation faced with this decision.
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It was good to get back into the normal flow last week after our vacation. I met with our district staff on Monday and then had a work-from-home day on Tuesday. I finally finished reading “Tempered Resilience,” a book on leadership by Tod Bolsinger that several of our pastors had recommended.

Wednesday morning, I was at Wesleyan HQ in Fishers to lead worship and bring a devotional for the monthly chapel service that is provided for our denominational staff. I traveled on to Lafayette to meet with Rev. Alan Downing (Frankfort Connecting Point Church) for our annual coaching conversation. Pastor Alan and I met at IU Health where he’s now serving as something like a musical chaplain. He plays the grand piano during visiting hours and is available to pray with patients and staff!
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While in Lafayette, I was also able to catch up with Rev. Phil Carder, our new pastor at The Branch Wesleyan Church. Phil is off to a strong start with new families attending. He’s also staying busying completing his Doctor of Ministry degree at Wesley Seminary.

Thursday morning, I met with Rev. Jeff Luedtke (Fairmount Wesleyan Church) for our annual conversation. In addition to leading the growing ministry at FWC, Pastor Jeff also chairs the board of Fairmount Camp and coaches basketball in the public school.

Dr. Bob Hallett and I met over lunch as he shared his vision for the next chapter of his ministry. He is developing a team that will provide shepherding ministry to pastors, many of whom he’s connected with over the last 40 years in capital campaigns and other consulting. He is uniquely gifted for this ministry and you can reach out to him directly if you’d like to learn more:
​[email protected]

Thursday evening, I had the privilege of working with the pastoral search team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Dr. Oliver Dongell is not retiring but will be transitioning this next summer after leading Plymouth Wesleyan for twenty years. We are grateful for his ministry and invite you to join us in praying that God will grant wisdom and unity for this transition.
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Friday, I was in Muncie connecting with Pastor Michael Hewitt (Rising Hope) over lunch for an update on the church plant and his recent ministry in both Spain and Morocco. He was in Morocco as a member of a team of professional pool players representing the USA in an international tournament. Even more exciting was his time in Spain with Marcos and Banessa Cruz, his ministry partners, who are planting a campus of Rising Hope Church in Seville. The new ministry they are launching is called Cafe’ Con Dios. Pastor Hewitt encouraged this church planting team and preached with people praying to receive Christ that day. More than a dozen people, including former Muslims, have prayed to receive Christ in the first month of this new campus launching. While Mike and I were having lunch at Chick-Fil-A, we had fun catching up with Pastor Joshua Fox (Hartford City Wesleyan Church).
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Saturday, our annual Wesleyan Church History and Discipline pre-licensing class concluded. We had a good group of eight students from across our district including some of our newest Wesleyan pastors. Special thanks to Pastor Steve DeNeff and his team at College Wesleyan for hosting our in-person class sessions. I’m also grateful to Rev. Carla Working, our Assistant DS and DBMD Chair, for her investment in these students while I was on vacation. The future is bright with these leaders!
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This coming Sunday, November 13, you are invited to join us for our next Crossroads District prayer gathering that will be hosted by Dr. Ollie Dongell and the team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dan Fisher, Terry Vaughn and Jose Cardenas will also be assisting in leading our prayer time. We’ll begin promptly at 6 p.m. and intend to conclude by 7. We would be grateful if you could join with us in prayer for revival in our churches and across our nation.

I’m always glad to share the encouraging reports of baptisms that come in from our district churches. Brookhaven Wesleyan Church in Marion celebrated another baptism last week!
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The River Church in Marion celebrated more baptisms yesterday. Praise the Lord!
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And LifeSpring Church in Richmond celebrated four baptisms at their north campus and one more at their south campus. This was a beautiful but bittersweet weekend as Dr. Steve Bray concluded his ministry at LifeSpring. Dr. Bray has accepted the call to become lead pastor for The Grace Place Church in Stuart, Florida. We will miss Steve and Susan but pray that God will grant the same blessing on their ministry there as they have experienced at LifeSpring.
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Pastors, you can still sign up for the Christmas gatherings and for one of the Friday Fellowships that Sherry and I are hosting. We’re also looking forward to serving our retired pastors and their spouse at our fall gathering, November 17 at College Wesleyan Church in Marion.

Please pray for Rev. Dr. Richard Schenck (lead pastor of Circle of Hope) who was hospitalized over the weekend for an emergency surgery. He is on the road to a full recovery but is grateful for your payers!

Keep on making a difference and advancing God’s Kingdom!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

P.S. Thank you to all of our veterans who have served to defend the freedoms we enjoy here in America. Don’t forget that Veterans’ Day is this Friday, November 11.
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