Eastview 100, New Pastor, and Baptisms!

Sunday, September 8, marked the 100th anniversary for Eastview Wesleyan Church in Gas City. Pastor Noah Farmer and his team hosted a community concert on Saturday evening with more than 1000 present and then welcomed nearly 400 people for the morning worship service. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent, brought congratulations from The Wesleyan Church and I brought greetings from our district family. Pastor Noah preached a message challenging the church to stay on mission and then concluded the service by leading the church in celebrating three baptisms!
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Sunday afternoon, I traveled to Lafayette to meet with leaders at The Branch Wesleyan Church to work with them on securing transitional pastoral leadership. Please keep The Branch in your prayers.

Welcome home to Rev. and Mrs. Philip Trent! Rev. Trent, who has been serving in Illinois, is coming back to Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield. Parkview was planted by Rev. Trent’s grandfather and was later pastored by Rev. Paul Trent, Philip’s father. The members voted 100% to extend the call to Pastor Philip and we look forward to welcoming their family back to the Crossroads District.
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Last week’s schedule was abbreviated with Labor Day Monday, but I enjoyed connecting with Dr. Steve DeNeff (College Wesleyan), Rev. Scott McDermid (Sheridan Six Points), Dr. Morris Jones (Lebanon Wesleyan), and Rev. Randy Yaryan (Winchester Wesleyan) for our annual coaching conversations.

Darah Martin, our office assistant, and I met with Lasana Williams Ritchie to learn more about the prayer retreat ministry that she leads from her home in Marion. Lasana, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur Williams, also offers prayer seminars for local churches. Her ministry was highlighted this summer at Fairmount Camp and you can learn more about her work from her website: creatingfromhisimprint.com
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Through the generosity of the DBA, we provide StrengthFinders coaching for free to our pastors and church leadership teams. I was able to meet with one of our emerging leaders for a one-on-one coaching session on Saturday and also enjoyed the opportunity of working with Rev. Andy Jellison’s team at Lifeway Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne on Wednesday. If you or your team would like to include this in your staff development, just reach out to our office.
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Nothing brings us greater joy than to hear the stories of new believers taking the step of obedience to publicly profess their new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism. Rev. Nathan Richardson and the team at Southview Wesleyan Church are rejoicing with a young man who took that step of faith on Sunday morning. Praise God for lives #MadeNew!

Rev. Michael Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie are thrilled to share the news of a young woman’s baptism this past Sunday. What ​a joy to see lives changed by God’s love!

Calling ALL Credentialed Ministers in the Crossroads District: We will gather for the Celebration of Ministry on September 15, 5 p.m., at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion. The ordained ministers will meet promptly at 4:30 for our group photo and directions for our participation in the service. The service begins promptly at 5 p.m. led by our General Superintendent, Dr. Wayne Schmidt. We will also celebrate retiring ministers and those who have achieved decadal milestones in their ministry. The ordination service will be followed by a reception to greet those newly ordained and for a time of fellowship.
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​The Crossroads District is excited to offer a FREE online course on Wesleyan Church History and Discipline! If you or someone you know still needs to fulfill this requirement for credentialing, this is the perfect opportunity. Classes will be held Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:30 PM, starting September 26 for 8 sessions. Click Here to register.​
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COURAGE TO LEAD – Shawn Lovejoy is bringing his one-day leadership training event for pastors and business leaders to Indianapolis on September 17. Shawn has been both a successful commercial real estate developer and an effective church planter. We’re grateful for Shawn’s willingness to offer a 30% discount for our district pastors. Sign up early and use the discount code “Wesleyan” when you register here: https://www.couragetolead.com/oneday
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FUEL is coming to Indiana, October 11-12! Santes Beatty, Director of NextGen Ministries invites all youth and children’s workers to attend this convenient and helpful training event. (Scholarships are available from the district office if finances would keep you from participating.) Here’s the link to register for the two-day event.
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​Each year, our district conference receives reports from our various ministry champions. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing several of those reports for you to enjoy. Every ministry matters and we’re grateful for the outstanding ministers who generously provide point leadership for these initiatives. This week’s excellent report is from one of our circuit riders, Rev, Mark Atkinson. Click Here to read his report.
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​​Thank you for all you do to make a difference for eternity!
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​Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte
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​Crossroads District Superintendent

*** Save the Date: June 28, 2025 District Conference!