Celebrate, Esperanza, Camps, and Baptism

Sunday, July 17, I had the privilege of ministering with Dr. Keith Loy, a long-time friend, at Celebrate Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Keith and I first served together at New Hope Church in Williston, North Dakota, back in 1998. It’s been a joy to see how God has blessed his life and ministry.
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Celebrate Church is one of the leading church-planting congregations in The Wesleyan Church with more than 20 daughter churches. Dr. Lyon and I were invited by Dr. Loy to help teach “Wesleyan Church History and Discipline” as part of their ministerial education program. Dr. Lyon taught in June and I taught on Saturday with 30 leaders in the room, including several prospective church planters.
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Camping ministries continued to make a difference for churches in our district last week. I dropped in at Fairmount Camp on Tuesday morning to thank several of our pastors and volunteers who were serving for Fairmount’s camp for children. Pastor John Hannan (Union City CrossRoads), Rev. Michelle Henry (Marion Brookhaven), and Rev. Carol Schenck (Noblesville Circle of Hope) were some of our pastors serving there and making a difference.

Tuesday afternoon, several of our district pastors joined us for the funeral service for Rev. Mike Cloud, one of our district’s most respected leaders. Rev. Martin Furrow (Rochester The Cross) assisted in leading the service. Please continue to pray for Brenda and her family as they grieve their loss.
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Wednesday morning, I was in Indy for a coaching conversation with Rev. Benjamin Tuimuk who leads Shalom Church, the Chin (Burmese) congregation that worships at Southview Wesleyan Church. It was also good to catch up with Southview’s pastor, Rev. Nathan Richardson. I’m excited that Pastor Nathan will be joining us for the GROW conference.

Wednesday evening, I was able to worship with our friends at the Family Camp hosted by Frankfort Camping Ministries. Phil and Rhonda Foley have done a marvelous job leading the turnaround at Frankfort Camp. Several of our pastors serve on this team. Notably, Rev. Allen Gross (Cicero United Family) provides leadership to the youth track for the camp. The camp evangelists were Rev. Dale Freed and Rev. Keith Hinton (one of our own retired ministers).
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That evening, I was pleased to connect with several Crossroads District friends including Rev. Ernest Batman (our retired district superintendent). One of the fun connections was with Martha Blackburn, Grace Chitty, and Mrs. Haines who taught together at Frankfort Pilgrim College in the late 1960s. I’m grateful for these women and their investment in students that still is bearing fruit today.
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Before I flew to South Dakota on Thursday, I met with Rev. Lyle Breeding (Sonlight Wesleyan Church) in Bluffton. It was encouraging to hear how God has been moving and bringing new families to the church this summer. Pastor Lyle has been recovering from one surgery and has another upcoming so please join us in praying for his recovery to full health and mobility.

God is on the move during these summer months. Sunday, July 16, was the first worship gathering for Casa de Esperanza, the new Hispanic campus led by Rev. Claudia Ruiz and Rev. Joe Schmit. Church leaders from Casa de Alfarero, the main campus in Richmond, and from Casa de Oracion, in Union City, joined with the first contacts in Portland for a combined worship and prayer experience with nearly 60 people present.
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God is changing lives at Monon Wesleyan Church. Dr. Brad Snyder and the congregation celebrated 4 baptisms in the past month. This is a congregation that averaged 17 last year with no baptisms. Praise God for progress!
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Pastor Matthew Trexler and the team at The River Church in Marion reached out in a day of service to Gas City on Saturday. They closed out the day with an evangelistic service that included another baptism. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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Dr. Joe Harmon has officially retired but continues to serve New Castle Memorial Wesleyan Church while they are in their pastoral search process. He was excited to report two more baptisms yesterday. Let’s rejoice with them and pray as they seek God’s best for their future.
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Fairmount Camp is excited about their upcoming Family Camp, July 23-30, featuring Dr. Patty Bray and Rev. Nathan Metz as camp evangelists. Plan to attend if possible and join in praying for God to continue to move in the hearts of His people!
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​Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent
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​Please pray with us as our next generation of Wesleyan leaders gather in Cincinnati for Follow Conference this December. Seminars and workshops will be available for pastors and parents so please make every effort to attend!