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Sherry and I were in Michigan for an early anniversary celebration and a chance to visit our grandchildren on Saturday and Sunday. John (first son) and Joel (third son) serve Wesleyan churches in the Grand Rapids area. Joel & Christie (Thea) hosted us in their home and then we worshiped with John and Lindsey (Lennon & Eden) on Sunday. John is leading the team at Knapp Valley Church which just launched last month. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness to our family through the years! Last Monday, I joined Rev. Eric Roemer and the LBA at Greentown Wesleyan Church for a review in preparation for their upcoming pastoral vote. Pastor Roemer has served as lead pastor since 2015 and was also on staff as youth pastor there with Rev. Paul Boss.  Pastor Eric and the team at Greentown are excited to welcome Denver Bierman (formerly with the Mile High Orchestra) for a concert this coming Sunday evening, March 9 at 6 pm. He’s best known as the leader of the big band that performed for the Olympics in Athens and Salt Lake City. You will recall that Denver was part of the youth group at Plymouth Wesleyan Church.  Tuesday morning, Rev. Andy Cole (Lapel Daybreak) and I met for our annual coaching conversation. The funeral for Rev. Charles Dederick was held in Warren on Tuesday afternoon and I was glad to be able to visit and pray with Barbara before the service. Rev. Ron Forsythe (pastor of Lancaster Wesleyan) officiated. My last stop for the day was with Rev. Ben Jones and the LBA at Beaver Creek Wesleyan Church just outside North Liberty. The LBA unanimously affirmed Pastor Ben and the congregation voted yesterday to extend the call. Pastor Ben has already accepted the call and we’re excited to see God’s continued blessing on his leadership.  Wednesday was set aside for prayer and study at home. I’ve been reading Wesley’s sermons on my sabbath day and this week’s reading included sermons 5-8: Justification by Faith, The Righteousness of Faith, The Way of the Kingdom, and the First Fruits of the Spirit. I was back on the road Thursday for coaching conversations with Rev. Scott Rhyno (Waterline in Pendleton) in the morning and with Rev. Duane Summitt (Fishersburg) over supper. Pastor Scott joined me and several other pastors from our district for lunch and a seminar hosted by Wesleyan Investment Foundation (WIF). GLOO and Barna have partnered for an extensive research project on the state of the church in America. You can learn more here: www.stateofthechurch.com  Friday, Pastor Michael Hewitt (Muncie Rising Hope) and I traveled to Fort Wayne to connect with Rev. Troy Evans and Pastor Terry Vaughn (The Bridge Urban Church). Troy Evans, the author and speaker who planted The Edge Urban Church in Grand Rapids, is now coaching urban pastors and church planters. We’re looking forward to working with Troy in the coming conference year to provide additional support and encouragement to our urban pastors.  God has been moving in exciting ways at The Bridge Urban Church (Mishawaka). Last Sunday they had 18 professions of faith and this Sunday they celebrated 7 baptisms. Thank you to every church in our district that has invested in and prayed for our church multiplication projects. Your partnership is making a difference!  Pastor Rob Tippey and the team at Wabash New Journey Church are rejoicing with two more baptisms yesterday. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!  Pastor John Hannan and the team at CrossRoads Church in Union City continue to see God work miracles. They celebrated three baptisms yesterday. Two of the young men are in recovery after serious addictions. The CrossRoads Church family has welcomed and supported them in their recovery journey.  Some of you may know that Pastor John and Beth Hannan had opened their home to welcome two girls that the courts had taken away from their mother, a distant relative. John and Beth stepped up to provide a loving home for these little ones. Last week, the court finalized the adoption paperwork and the Hannans have two new daughters!  Our sympathies and prayers are extended this week to Mrs. Carole Emery, wife of Dr. Steve Emery (one of our retired district superintendents) upon the loss of her mother, Mrs. Joyce Stone. Mrs. Stone lived to celebrate her 100th birthday. Joyce leaves a loving family and a lifetime legacy of faithfully serving Christ.  Make plans to bring your students to IWU for FUSION, April 4-5. Thank you to Professor Charlie Alcock and his team for creating this opportunity for students to experience the IWU campus and the impact of worshiping with 1500 other high school students from across Indiana. (“Never Too Young,” the middle-school event, is scheduled for May 2-3.) https://www.indwes.edu/academics/youth-ministry-events/fusion/ Krista Brown, Executive Director of Fairmount Camp, has opened registration for summer youth camps. This year, Fairmount Camp is excited to be able to offer separate middle school and high school camps. For more information or to register, check out their website: https://www.fairmountcamp.org/teen-camp.html Thank you all for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity! Your servant in Christ, Mark Gorveatte Crossroads District Superintendent Comments are closed.
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