Easter 2025

“I serve a living Savior, He’s in the world today!”

Praise God for the power and hope of Christ’s triumphant resurrection!

Easter weekend began for me on Thursday night when I joined Rev. Shane Wilson and the team at New Hope Wesleyan Church in Columbia City. They have become known for their dramatic Easter presentations. This was a powerful portrayal of the events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection. Pastor Shane is not just a gifted leader but he’s also a talented actor. In this photo, he’s the one in the middle reading from the scroll.

Friday, at noon, I worshiped at Westview Wesleyan Church in Jonesboro. Pastor Ryan Budde and his team were hosting the Good Friday Service with the Twin Cities Ministerial. The service featured scripture readings, congregational songs, a brief message from Rev. Brian Holland, and beautiful anthems sung by a choral group from Mississinewa High School. Thank you to Rev. Ken Dykhoff, chair of the ministerial association, for coordinating this meaningful community worship service.
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Friday evening, Sherry and I attended the first of five Easter weekend services presented by Pastor Matthew Trexler and the team at The River Church in Marion. They were still gathering information from the response cards but at least 190 adults indicated they prayed to receive Christ as Lord. Attendance between the two campuses (Marion and Chesterton) topped 3000.
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Saturday evening, I joined with Pastor Noah Farmer and the team at Eastview Wesleyan Church. In addition to this service, they provided two more opportunities to worship on Sunday morning. They are also providing sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired.
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Sunday morning began with a drop-in to check on Pastor David Shafer and Dr. James Stamper at North Anderson Wesleyan Church. They hosted a breakfast for the congregation and then celebrated Easter with two baptisms and a baby dedication.
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My next stop was with Rev. Barry Dixon and the congregation of Calvary Family Church in Indianapolis for their 9:00 A.M. service. Pastor Dixon brought an anointed message from Romans 8:37 on being more than a conqueror through Christ, our Risen Lord!
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Pastor Walter Martir and the growing congregation at Monte de Sion welcomed me to their 11 A.M. service. This service was standing room only. Assistant DS Grace Lopez has been coaching this church and earlier this month they became the newest established church in our Crossroads District.
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My last stop of the morning was in Anderson with Pastor Janiel Caraballo and the team at The Exit Church. They hosted an outdoor worship service, shared a meal, and had creative experiences set up for children. The highlight of the morning was the baptism service!
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I stopped back in Anderson later in the afternoon as Pastor Mike Weller and the team at Restoration Church prepared for their service and another meal serving homeless and marginalized people. Pastor Mike leads a small but dedicated team of volunteers who serve meals for 50 to 100 people almost every night of the week.
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My last stop for Easter weekend was with Rev. Jerome Bell and the team at Autumn Hills Church in Pendleton. This unique ministry meets only on Sunday evenings and the congregation is seated at tables. They also have a growing outreach to children through their summer art camp and monthly art nights. Pastor Bell preached a powerful message and closed the service by leading us in celebrating communion.
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You’ve probably heard me say it before but this Easter weekend was a terrific reminder to me that it takes all kinds of Gospel-preaching churches to reach all kinds of people.

Stories and photos are already coming in from around the Crossroads District so watch for a special midweek edition of our team update to share more of the praise reports.

Dr. Chris Williams and the team at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion sent a photo with the thirteen new believers who were baptized on Sunday morning. Lakeview welcomed 518 in worship and 5 first-time commitments to Christ.
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Pastor Sam Maddox reported in from Albion Wesleyan Church with seven professions of faith and 1 new believer baptized. Praise the Lord!
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Pastor Greg Holmes checked in from Sonlight Wesleyan Church with the good news that they baptized another new follower of Jesus Christ!
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Pastor Duane Cragun reported in from Brinker Heights Wesleyan Church in Marion. They are praising God for a new believer who publicly professed her faith in Christ through baptism!

Pastor Marc Ulrich leads ReThink Church in Merrillville, one of our youngest congregations. They had the privilege of baptizing a young man this weekend who has found victory over addictions through the power of the Cross. Praise God!
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Rev. Don Bayne and the team at New Carlisle Wesleyan Church had an unusual experience that sounded like the Philippian jailer’s household in Acts 16. Pastor Don baptized an entire family of six on Easter Sunday morning. God is on the move!

This is what it looks when church comes to the YMCA! Pastor Andy Riemersma moved into the Westfield Y earlier this spring and it was just in time because they welcomed 280 in worship for Easter!
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Two events coming this week for which we welcome your prayers. The District Board of Administration meets on Thursday as we wrap up this fiscal year and prepare for DC25, our district conference on June 28 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church. Then, on Friday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. I’ll host our retired pastors and spouses for the spring fellowship at Waterline Church.

This retirees’ fellowship will be different having just said goodbye to two of our beloved retirees. Rev. Richard Cole’s funeral was on Monday and Rev. William Babb, Jr, was buried with military honors on Thursday. Please remember the Cole and Babb families in your prayers.
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Our friends at ​Fairmount Camp have opened registration for their summer youth camps. This year, Fairmount Camp will offer separate camps for middle school students (June 9-13) and high school students (June 16-20). For more information or to register, check out their website:
​https://www.fairmountcamp.org/teen-camp.html
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​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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P.S. The Crossroads District Chaplains’ Fellowship is holding their quarterly meeting on May 17 at North Anderson Wesleyan Church. All chaplains are invited, whether you serve full-time in a paid position or hold a volunteer chaplaincy role with your local law enforcement officers. Please contact the district office if you’d like to be included in their monthly e-mail.