Elwood Main Street, DBA, and Baptisms!

Sunday morning, Sherry and I joined with Pastor Tim Becker and the team at Elwood Main Street for worship. Many of you will know that Pastor Tim’s father passed away on Thanksgiving Day and the funeral service was this past Wednesday. I was grateful for the opportunity to represent the district and support the Becker family. Our sympathies and prayers are extended to Mrs. Mary Becker, Ron’s widow, and the Becker family in these difficult days.
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Sunday afternoon, I was in Roanoke at ARISE Church to video an interview for their upcoming new members class. Things are going well at ARISE with first-time and returning guests each month this fall. Pastor Aldean Pablo’s father passed away in the Philippines over Thanksgiving. Pastor Aldean and his sister will be traveling home in March for one of several memorial services for his father. Pastor Aldean was excited to share that he and Jessie have purchased their new home in Roanoke!
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​Monday’s appointments included a lunch meeting with Dr. Jim Lo on our prayer initiative called Second Sundays at Six. Monday evening, I conducted the extended call review for Dr. Morris Jones with the LBA at Lebanon Wesleyan Church.

Tuesday, I met with Assistant Pastor Ben Wade (Greenfield Browns’ Chapel) for our annual coaching conversation. Tuesday afternoon, our district office staff met with final preparations for the DBA meeting.

Wednesday included a lunch meeting with Angela Spangler, Executive Director of Fairmount Camping Ministries before heading to Elwood for Rev. Ron Becker’s funeral.

Our Crossroads District Board of Administration convened at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion on Thursday afternoon for our quarterly meeting. Mrs. Randy Griffin, lay representative from Greenfield Browns’ Chapel, opened our meeting with a devotional and prayer. We had a full agenda including a guest presentation from Rev. C. K. Chitty, who has joined our team as district seniors’ ministry director. It was encouraging to hear praise reports from the churches represented by our board members. We focused prayer on the January launch of ONE Church in Westfield under the leadership of Rev. Andy Riemersma.
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We appreciate the strong USF support we’re experiencing with 95% received of the assessment due to date. Letters of thanks along with a report are being sent to every pastor and treasurer so they can check to ensure the accuracy of our records. Following the meeting, several of the spouses of our board members were able to join us for our Christmas supper. I am grateful for these leaders, staff team, and board members who serve our district team so well!

Saturday evening, Dr. Chris and Marietta Williams welcomed our Region 3 pastors and spouses to a Christmas fellowship dinner. Dr. Ollie Dongell and the team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church hosted our event with a good representation from across the region. Our favorite guest was our newest member of the district pastoral family, Violet Jones!
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One of the most important opportunities that we share as a district is the preparation process that serves our students who are answering God’s call to pastoral ministry. Region 1 DBMD Chair Bob Burchell led the interview team than met and prayed with five pastoral candidates on Saturday. Thank you to the DBMD committee members who make this ministry a high priority in their time and prayers.
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We’re praising the Lord with Dr. Ollie Dongell and the team at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Just last Sunday, they celebrated nine more baptisms! What an exciting day in the life of these nine new believers and this church family!
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Thank you for partnering together in the Harvest! Praying for the 3 million people yet to be reached in Indiana!
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​Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte
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Crossroads District Superintendent