I’m writing this update on Christmas Day 2022 with a grateful heart. 2022 has been another year of fruitful ministry in our Crossroads District. As I scrolled down through the team updates of the past 12 months I realized that almost every week our churches have shared stories of changed lives and baptisms. Pictured below is the most recent story. Rev. Zach Working, the pastor of Hope Rising Church in Huntington, presided over the baptism but the young man immersing the candidate is the one who led his friend to Christ. That is a beautiful picture of disciples making disciples who make disciples.
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That’s why we do what we do. Our mission matters. For the glory of God, we will use every possible means to reach every possible person. In the words of Dr. Laurel Buckingham, “we will do anything short of sin to reach lost people.” We want to do everything we can to provide every heart with the opportunity to prepare room for Christ so that they can experience His joy. And I pray that the joy of the Lord will be our strength as we prepare for the challenges of ministry in the new year!

Thank you for the many creative and generous ways you have led your churches to reach out during this Advent season. Just this past week, I had the privilege of worshiping with several of our churches who prayed and invested in offering opportunities for people to worship the Christ of Christmas.
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On Wednesday evening, I joined Rev. Andy Cole and the team at Daybreak Community Church in Lapel for their candlelight service. From the children’s bell choir to communion, Pastor Cole and his team pointed people to Jesus as the reason for the season.
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Thursday evening, I worshiped with Pastor Matthew Trexler and the team at The River Church in Marion. When we talk about giving it our all, most of us don’t think about blowing out our Achilles tendon but that’s exactly what happened in that service. Pray for Rev. Kaleb Wakeman as he prepares for surgery to repair the injury and as he recovers.
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Rev. Brent Miller is not only a wonderful pastor but he also drives a mean snowplow. Pastor Brent has helped us out for the past few years and came again on Saturday so we could get out to worship. I made it to Southside Wesleyan Church for their 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service. They had a strong response for this candlelight service and Pastor Brent texted to let me know that attendance for their Christmas morning service broke 100!
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Pastor Noah Farmer and the team at Gas City Eastview Wesleyan Church offered a midnight Christmas Eve experience that began at 11:30 and concluded very early on Christmas Sunday morning. I was able to sit with Dr. Matthew Stewart (pastor of Sweetser Wesleyan Church) who was there as chauffeur for his daughter who was leading worship. DBA member Cindy Horn was still smiling after midnight!
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Christmas Sunday morning, I was able to worship with Pastor Jeff Luedtke and the team at Fairmount Wesleyan Church. Pastor Jeff brought a strong message about the wise men being diligent in seeking for more than a year while the religious leaders in Jerusalem couldn’t be bothered to travel just a few miles to Bethlehem. The warm service was well-attended and we enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate!
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The Crossroads District office will be closed from December 26 until January 2 with regular office hours resuming on Tuesday, January 3. I’ll be joining many of our pastors in Orlando, January 3-7, to participate in The Gathering. Rev. Carla Working, Assistant DS, and Michael Wood, District Administrator, will also be at The Gathering, but you can still reach us during this time by phone. If you won’t be attending The Gathering, I do encourage you to remember this special event in your prayers.
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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 in the link above for more information.
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​Let’s pray and prepare for 2023 to be a year of breakthroughs for our Crossroads District churches.

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

(Note: Our next team update will be after the Gathering on January 9.)

P.S. Save the date of February 17 and plan to join us for the 2023 Crossroads District Youth All-Nighter!
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Sunday morning, Dr. Sherry and I worshiped with Rev. Michael and Kim Hewitt at Rising Hope Church in Muncie. This dynamic church plant was launched less than 5 years ago with a wonderful group that included former members of Northview Church. That aging congregation voted to close their chapter of ministry and turn the keys over to see a new multi-generational ministry launched in their facility, just a few blocks away from Ball State University. The church has flourished under the leadership of Pastor Mike and Kim with college ministry, youth ministry, and a strong ministry to children.
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The most exciting recent development has been their partnership in launching a new campus of Rising Hope in Seville, Spain with Marcos Cruz serving as campus pastor. Pastor Hewitt led a team to Spain earlier this fall to celebrate this new launch. They are praying for a multiplying network to reach 20 of the largest cities in Spain.
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In addition to leading Rising Hope, planting a new campus in Spain, and representing the USA in the World Blackball Tournament in Morocco, Pastor Mike also completed his Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Seminary. We’re happy to join his family and friends in congratulating him on this accomplishment.
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​Here’s another district graduate we’re glad to congratulate. Mr. Joel Hunt, a lay member of our Crossroads District Board of Administration graduated from Wesley Seminary with a Master of Ministry degree on Saturday. Joel (pictured on the far left) also serves as Director of Seminary Communication & Relations for the seminary. Congratulations and thank you, Joel, for your service in the Kingdom!

Last week’s schedule included our district office staff meeting on Monday afternoon followed by a meeting with the LBA at Nelson Street Wesleyan in Marion on Monday evening. Rev. Bob McHenry is resigning after having served effectively at Nelson Street for the past few years. Bob is stepping back as he carries expanding responsibilities in his community mental health career and completes his Master of Social Work degree at IWU. After that meeting, I dropped in on the LBA at The River Church to congratulate them on another successful “Big Give.”
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On Tuesday I met with Rev. Joe Park (Lafayette Evergreen Wesleyan Church) for an early lunch and our annual coaching conversation. I traveled over to Delphi to check on and pray with Pastor Dan Fisher as Amy, his wife, has experienced a setback in her health. I dropped in on Rev. Martin Furrow at The Cross in Rochester for an update on their ministry and time of prayer and then connected with Rev. Jarod Osborne at Pathway Church in Warsaw before closing out the day in Bippus. I received a warm welcome from a group of folks in Bippus (near Huntington) who are disaffiliating from the UMC and had invited several denominational representatives to meet with them for Q&A sessions.

Wednesday morning, I was back at Nelson Street to meet with Keith Hardin, vicechair of the LBA, as the church considers options for greater impact in their community. Rev. Zach Szmara (Logansport The Bridge) and I met via Zoom for our annual coaching conversation. Zach continues to serve effectively as pastor for The Bridge while also leading the rapidly-growing team at Immigrant Connection. Pastor Gary Bingham (Marion Hillside Wesleyan) and I met for our annual coaching conversation over lunch in Marion and then I connected with Rev. Trevor O’Dell for an update on his ministry at Lancaster Wesleyan Church.

Thursday, I traveled to Tipton for coaching conversations with Rev. Logan Westrick (Ash Street Wesleyan Church) and Rev. Johnnie Blair (Trinity Wesleyan Church). I met via ZOOM on Thursday evening with the LBA at Fishers Waterline Church as they completed their positive evaluation of Pastor Scott Rhyno. The congregation will vote on an extended call in March.
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I took the day off on Friday as Sherry and I hosted family members including Lennon, our oldest grandchild, for an early Christmas. I’m grateful for these special moments and memories with family. Our family was also able to join in the celebration at Wesley Seminary as Rev. John Mark Gorveatte, our oldest child, graduated with his master’s degree on Saturday afternoon.
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Rev. Carla Working, Assistant District Superintendent and chair of our District Board of Ministerial Development, stays busy with our district team and continues to serve actively with Rev. Zach Working, her husband, at Hope Rising, their home church in Huntington. Last evening, she joined their church family in Christmas caroling. We’re grateful for Rev. Working’s ministry and I invite you to join me in wishing Carla and her family a Merry Christmas!
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Mr. Michael Wood, also affectionately known as "Woody," is the other full-time employee on our Crossroads District office staff. Michael serves as District Admin / Executive Ministry Partner and is our primary interface with all things digital, including communications and web/digital resourcing. In addition to his work with our district team, Michael is making a difference by serving with Pastor Johnnie Blair and the team at Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church. Please join me in expressing our gratitude for his ministry and in wishing Michael and his family a Merry Christmas!
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Our condolences and prayers are extended to Rev. Brent Miller on the passing of his father, John Brent Miller, age 64, on December 7. The funeral service was held on Saturday, December 17, with Reverend Mark Atkinson (Crossroads District Circuit Rider) officiating.

Please join us in praying for Dr. Joe Harmon, pastor at New Castle Memorial Wesleyan Church, as he undergoes the first of two cornea transplants on Monday, December 19. During his recovery period, Dr. Harmon will be limited in activity but he’s looking forward to preaching on January 1.

Please pray for our pastors and congregations as they maximize the opportunities of this Christmas week to share the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday morning, December 11, Sherry and I worshiped with Revs. Scott and Elizabeth Rhyno at Waterline Church in Fishers. Though originally planted by Rev. John and Danielle Freed in a fitness center, Waterline has been based in our Wesleyan Headquarters building for the last several years. The church continues to impact people for Christ with passion and creativity, both in person and online.
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Pastor Scott is a bi-vocational minister at Waterline while he also carries executive leadership responsibilities in a corporate setting. The church hosted a wonderful evening of volunteer recognition this past Friday. As many as 80 volunteer staff serve each month at Waterline and this was a special event to express appreciation to these committed people who make a difference. Waterline is also excited to be planning its first international missions trip with a team heading to Mexico later this year to build a house in conjunction with a church planting initiative. Pastor Scott indicated that they may have a few extra slots if others from our district would like to join them.
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Rev. Carla Working, Michael Wood, Dr. Sherry Gorveatte, and I wrapped up the final three Christmas fellowships with our pastors and their spouses. Monday evening, Pastor Rick and Deb Fletcher and the team at Lifeway Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne hosted our gathering. This group enjoyed delicious food and lots of laughter!
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Tuesday evening, the team at LifeSpring Church in Richmond welcomed our area pastors and spouses for another delicious meal. Michael Wood (Woody) and Carla did a great job in leading the Crossroads District Family Feud each evening with our celebrities competing for prize money that was donated to great organizations in The Wesleyan Church. Funds were donated to Hephzibah, Immigrant Connection, WERF (Wesleyan Emergency Relief Fund), and Global Partners work in Mozambique.
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On Wednesday evening, I was invited to speak for the monthly gathering of ministry leaders and volunteers at The River in Marion. Amonte King is always encouraging as he leads the worship team and special prayer was focused on their weekend outreach called “The Big Give.”
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The Big Give was The River’s annual outreach event held on Saturday, December 10. More than 100 volunteers provided Christmas gift boxes (everything for a full family meal) to 1200 needy families. The best news was several of those families attended The River on Sunday with 10 people praying to receive Christ!
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Our final Christmas fellowship took place in Lafayette on Thursday. Although illness and last-minute emergencies left us with a smaller group that planned, we shared a delightful evening. Special thanks to Pastor Phil Carder (pastor at The Branch) for making the arrangement for our event. It was encouraging to hear stories around the table of how our churches are reaching out to their neighbors and making a real difference in this Advent season.
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Friday, I traveled to Plymouth for Rev. Curtis Peacock’s funeral. Rev. Peacock last served full-time at our Tyner church before it closed and then he continued faithfully serving in pastoral care for many years as part of the team at Plymouth Wesleyan. Rev. Peacock was the grandfather of Rev. Samuel Maddox, Jr, our pastor at Albion Wesleyan. Dr. Oliver Dongell and Rev. Ed Friberg honored Rev. Peacock’s memory and shared the hope of the Gospel with the many family members who attended.
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Our condolences and prayers are extended to Rev. Brent Miller (pastor at Southside Wesleyan Church in Gas City) on the passing of his father last week. The funeral is planned for December 17 with visitation from 10 until noon, followed immediately by the service.

Our newest churches continue to grow and make a difference. Rev. Andy Riemersma was excited to announce on Sunday that ONE Church has been approved for a three-year facility partnership with the new YMCA being constructed at the Grand Park in Westfield. This is an answer to prayer in providing additional space for growth and creating a platform of expanded ministry to their community.
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​Pastor Craig Thurmon, our District Secretary and church planter at The Encounter Assembly, also led his team in a community outreach event this past weekend. They served meals to the homeless and Pastor Craig ministered in prayer for those who responded. The Encounter Assembly (TEA) is one of our newest and one of our smallest congregations but they are committed to making a big impact. Pray that God will continue to bless the ministry that Pastor Craig and Tiffany are leading in East Indy.

Pastor Marc and Heather Ulrich, our church planters at ReThink Church in Merrillville, reported that they welcomed more than 100 neighbors for a Friday evening outreach event with 80 of those being first-time guests. Of those attending, 62 requested additional information about ReThink Church. Pray with the Ulrichs for these important follow-up conversations and for people to come to faith in Christ!
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​Thank you all for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

Sunday morning, December 4, Sherry and I worshiped with Rev. Michael Gallant and Community Life Church in Mt. Etna, the newest addition to the Crossroads District team. Mt. Etna is one of the 100+ UMC churches that have disaffiliated from their denomination in the past few months over issues of sexual ethics and biblical authority. As the congregation prayed and deliberated on their way forward, they determined that joining The Wesleyan Church was their best option. In getting to know the congregation, I discovered that several members of the congregation had Wesleyan roots or previous connections with Indiana Wesleyan University.
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The Crossroads DBA received their application and authorized the establishment of this new Wesleyan congregation pending final disposition of their disaffiliation request. That process was completed on November 19 when they were released by the UMC bishop and conference. More than 30 members joined The Wesleyan Church so they begin as an established church with full conference rights. Rev. Michael Gallant, their pastor, holds Wesleyan ordination credentials with the Penn-York District and is transferring into our district. I first met Pastor Mike when he was completing his M.Div. at Wesley Seminary. Some of you may know Samantha Freds, assistant pastor at our Pathway Church in Warsaw, who is Pastor Mike and Lee’s daughter. Please join me in welcoming these new members and praying for God’s blessing on this new chapter in their ministry to Huntington County.
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Sunday afternoon, I was at College Wesleyan Church in Marion for the funeral of Mrs. June Luttrull, wife of Rev. Jim Luttrull. Dr. Steve DeNeff shared a meaningful message drawn from the resurrection of Tabitha. Rev. and Mrs. Luttrull celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year and shared a lifetime of ministry between Indiana Wesleyan University and their service in local churches.

Sunday evening, Rev. Josh Bowlin and the team at Marion Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church graciously welcomed us for the last monthly district prayer gathering for 2022. Thank you to Rev. Bowlin and his team for hosting us and to Dr. Chris Williams, Rev. Mark Atkinson, Rev. Gary Bingham, and Rev. Brian Williams for leading this prayer service.

Rev. Carla Working (Assistant DS), Michael Wood (Communications Director), and I were on the road last week hosting Christmas fellowship gatherings for pastors and their spouses. Our first Christmas dinner was with pastors in the greater Indianapolis area. This gathering was hosted by Pastor Scott Rhyno’s team at Waterline Church in Fishers (Monday).
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Tuesday evening, Dr. Oliver Dongell and his team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church were our hosts for the greater South Bend area group. Dr. Dongell does a great job of welcoming and supporting area pastors.
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Our third Christmas fellowship dinner last week was graciously hosted by Dr. Steve DeNeff's team at College Wesleyan Church in Marion. We’re looking forward to seeing three more groups this week with a Monday night group at Lifeway Church in Fort Wayne, a Tuesday night group at LifeSpring in Richmond, and our final group on Thursday evening in Lafayette.
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Pastor Mike Colaw (Indianapolis Trinity Wesleyan Church) and his father, Joe Colaw (pastor of Bartlesville First Wesleyan Church), were hosted by Joel Hunt and Wesley Seminary for a webinar on lasting 40+ years in pastoral ministry. This was the second webinar on this topic that Joel, who is also a lay member of our DBA, has hosted with the Colaws. There was great content and chemistry. You can still view the replay at this site:
​https://youtu.be/wX9dUnOcQNU

Wednesday, I traveled to Indianapolis to sign legal documents for the district and then met with Rev. John Miller, pastor of Way City Church, in Speedway for our annual coaching conversation. Pastor John and Heather stepped out in faith to plant this new church just months before we were hit with the pandemic. My last stop on Wednesday was in Upland to meet with Dr. Bob Hallett, founder of TLC Stewardship Ministry, to learn more about his new initiative in serving as a shepherd to shepherds.
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Our Crossroads District Board of Administration met on Thursday afternoon at College Wesleyan Church for our second quarterly meeting of the conference year. We worked through a full agenda including updates from Rising Hope and ONE Church, our church planting projects in Muncie and Westfield. ONE Church received approval for a 3-year partnership with the YMCA in Westfield that will allow their ministry to relocate into the new facility that the Y is developing in Grand Park beginning in the fall of 2024.

The board reviewed financial and ministry reports. There was also a brief discussion about the changes for our local churches arising from the recent general conference. The new Discipline has been published electronically and is now in effect. The first change that many churches will notice is that the next vote they take on their pastor will be for an extended call. There are also changes in the LBA’s responsibilities, including the provision for quarterly meetings and electing the nominating committee.

I am grateful for our wonderful district board members, lay leaders and pastors, who generously invest their time and wisdom to provide mutual accountability and direction for our district ministry.

The Region 1 Board of Ministerial Development met in Marion on Saturday morning under the leadership of Rev. Bob Burchell. I dropped in to thank these faithful team members for their dedicated service to our ministerial students who are answering God’s call to a life of Christian service.
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My final stop on Saturday was to check in with Rev. Angela Spangler and her team at Fairmount Camp as they hosted a winter craft market. They were off to a strong start at this first-time event. I appreciate the passion and creativity that Angela brings to her role as Executive Director of this camping ministry.
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We love hearing stories of life change and Kingdom advance. We’re rejoicing with Dr. Steve DeNeff and the team at College Wesleyan as they celebrated 8 baptisms in the month of November!
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We’re also praising the Lord with Dr. Matthew Stewart and his team as they celebrated four baptisms and six new members at Sweetser Wesleyan Church yesterday morning. Thank God for lives being #MadeNew by the Gospel!
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Pastors, you along with your team are invited to attend our spring Next Level workshop, an intentional training and planning 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. 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 still a few spots available, so don’t delay in signing up! You may register your team by visiting:
​www.crossroadsdistrict.org/nextlevel
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Our prayers and condolences are extended to the friends and family of Rev. Curtis William Peacock, a retired minister in the Crossroads District, who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Rev. Curtis served as a minister for many congregations including the Tyner Wesleyan Church for twelve years before making Plymouth Wesleyan home. His grandson, Rev. Sam Maddox, Jr., currently pastors the Albion Wesleyan Church.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022, at Plymouth Wesleyan Church (11203 Michigan Rd, Plymouth, IN 46563). A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Rev. Ed Friberg officiating.

Thank you for all you do to advance God’s Kingdom in this Advent season!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark

P.S. Save the date of February 17 and plan to join us for the 2023 Crossroads District Youth All-Nighter!
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