EASTER 2022!

Praise the Lord for a glorious EASTER 2022!

This was the first pandemic restriction-free Easter we have celebrated together since 2019 and I’m hearing encouraging reports coming in from across our district team. Sherry and I worshiped together with Assistant DS Matthew Trexler at The River Church in Marion for their 7 a.m. sunrise service before I turned south to check in on more of our churches. My next stop was in Tipton where I was able to pray with Rev. Logan Westrick at Ash Street Wesleyan Church before joining Rev. Johnnie Blair and his team at Trinity Wesleyan Church as they welcomed a full house for the first of two worship services.
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My next check-in was with Rev. Scott McDermid and his team at Sheridan Six Points Wesleyan Church where their 10 a.m. service was underway. They were still welcoming guests and adding chairs in the foyer as I arrived. Total attendance for the morning was 251!
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From there, I headed back east back to Cicero United Family Church to greet Rev. Allen Gross and his team just before they began their 10:30 service. Attendance was at full capacity and the children were eagerly looking forward to the Easter egg hunt that was to follow the service.
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My last stop of the day was with Rev. Andy Riemersma and the team at Westfield ONE Church, our newest congregation. One of the highlights of the morning was seeing Rev. Ernest Batman, our former and the oldest living DS, worshiping at ONE Church with three generations of his family, including Mr. Kevin Batman, General Treasurer and member of the launch team.
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There were so many highlights from last week that I hardly know where to start. Perhaps the most notable event that I was able to be part of was the combined Good Friday service provided by the Wesleyan churches of Madison County. This inaugural event was hosted by Rev. Joe Jackson and the United Wesleyan Church congregation.
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The service included pastors and worship leaders from Elwood Main Street Wesleyan, Pendleton Autumn Hills, Anderson Circle of Hope, Anderson Lone Oak, North Anderson Wesleyan Church, Chesterfield Parkview Wesleyan, and Anderson United Wesleyan. The service also included Spanish-language translation with participation from Iglesia Unida Wesleyana, the Hispanic congregation that is part of Anderson United. This was the first time these Madison County churches have collaborated for a Good Friday service but plans are already underway for next year.
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My heart is overflowing as I review the reports from this past week. For example, Rev, Lyle Breeding and his team at Bluffton Sonlight started Easter week by celebrating 5 baptisms last weekend!
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Rev. Dr. Steve Bray and the team at LifeSpring Church in Richmond celebrated 27 baptisms yesterday between their two campuses. This included Rev. Josh Fakhoury, south campus pastor, having the privilege of baptizing his daughter Jenna!
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Pastor Neftali Lopez and Carmel Amistad Cristiana celebrated the baptism of a grandmother. Her daughters and grandchildren joined in the celebration.
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Rev. Dr. Chris Williams and his team reported three baptisms at Marion Lakeview Wesleyan Church with 338 in attendance and at least 1 profession of faith!
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Dr. Bob Hallett, interim minister at Anderson Lone Oak Wesleyan Church, reported that they celebrated two baptisms yesterday with 52 in attendance.
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Pastor Joe Jackson and the team at Anderson United Wesleyan celebrated 4 professions of faith and 6 baptisms yesterday!
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And here are just a few more of the praise reports that are coming in:
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Rev. Dr. Steve DeNeff and his team celebrated eight baptisms yesterday at Marion College Wesleyan Church!

Rev. Andy Cole texted to let me know they had 180 in attendance at Lapel Daybreak Community Church with at least 20 people praying to receive Jesus Christ as Lord!

Pastor Dan Fisher and the team at Delphi Wesleyan Church were celebrating 106 people in attendance, their highest worship attendance in the past 15 years!

Pastor Dave Dignal and his team at Edgerton Wesleyan Church welcomed 125 in worship yesterday!

Rev. Dr. Joe Harmon, pastor of New Castle Memorial Wesleyan Church, reported 179 in attendance with 4 professions of faith!

Pastor Brent Miller, pastor of Gas City Southside Wesleyan Church shared that they welcomed 102 in attendance with 8 commitments to Christ!
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​Four quick observations from my visits on Easter Sunday:
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1. How you greet people in the parking lot and outside the doors can set the tone for guests. Some of our churches do this well.
2. How you start your worship service matters. More than 90 seconds of announcements is not the best way to start a service, especially for your guests.
3. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. People are different. Communities are different. Wise church leaders contextualize ministry. I am grateful so many of our churches do that well.
4. Prayer makes the difference. I’m not talking about a quick huddle prayer before the service starts. In fact, that’s prime time to be welcoming and caring for people. (As John Maxwell used to tell his staff, have your devotions before you come to church on Sunday.) The prayer I’m referring to here is the intentional, focused prayer in which many of our churches are engaging. We are in a spiritual battle. It has always been true but perhaps never more clear than now. Prayer is essential, not optional. As more of our churches are deepening their corporate prayer life, we are seeing the Kingdom advance and lives being changed for eternity. Pray first.

For those of you who are able to join us, our next Crossroads District prayer gathering will convene on Sunday, May 8, 6:00 p.m., at Carmel Amistad Christiana Wesleyan Church.

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

Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent