Elwood Main Street, Fishersburg, and Baptisms

Sunday morning, April 18, I had the joy of worshiping with Pastor Tim and Jennifer Becker and the team at Elwood Main Street Wesleyan Church. I shared an update on our district ministry partnership and led in the pastoral prayer time. Pastor Tim preached a message on overcoming through our identity in Christ from Ephesians 1. Alexander Henry is off to a great start as their youth pastor intern. After the morning service. I had met briefly with the members of their board of administration. It was also good to catch up with retired pastor Rev. Ron Becker who continues to be active in serving the community.
​

Sunday afternoon, I met with Rev. Dr. Mark Rennaker and the LBA at Kokomo Southdowns Wesleyan Church for the four-year review and affirmation of the extended pastoral call. The board enthusiastically supports Dr. Rennaker’s ministry and voted unanimously to affirm the extended call of the church. In addition to leading Southdowns, Dr. Rennaker directs the organizational leadership degree programs at Indiana Wesleyan University.
​

My last stop of the day was with Rev. Duane Summitt and the congregation at Lapel Fishersburg Wesleyan Church. I appreciated the opportunity to preach the message. The church has doubled in attendance in recent months. Fishersburg is classified as a developing church and Pastor Summitt is another of our faithful bi-vocational pastors.

Today was a landmark day for Harvest Church in McCordsville as they announced a new partnership with Dr. Kevin Myers and 12Stone Church in Atlanta. Pastor Brad LeRoy shared with the congregation, "We know the Kingdom of God is advanced by partnerships faster and farther than going it alone…
​

And we have a relationship with our friends at 12Stone who are willing to help us go faster and farther to reach more people for Christ. The bottom line: We are better together. We are still Harvest Church, but we have a partner in ministry!”

Our district team is excited for what this means for Harvest Church and are grateful for the Kingdom-hearted generosity of Pastor Kevin Myers and 12Stone Church.

Last Monday, Rev. David Hines and Pastor Steve Mathews, co-leaders of our district’s global missions team, met with me to map out next steps for the coming year as we continue to partner with Global Partners in Bangladesh and Mozambique. Last week’s schedule also included coaching conversations with Dr. Steve DeNeff (Marion College Wesleyan), Pastor David Cox (Laketon Wesleyan), and Rev. Brent Miller (Gas City Southside Wesleyan). I led two staff meetings (for the district and for Hartford City Wesleyan Church) and chaired a followup meeting of the district nominating committee on Tuesday. Rev. Jason Tash and I met with the LBA at Albion Wesleyan Church on Thursday evening as they move forward in their pastoral search process.
​

Sherry and I took the day off on Friday to make an overnight trip to see our family in Grand Rapids. John, our oldest son, pastors Center Church in Byron Center. His church is in the final days of preparing to move into their new facility. He graciously gave us a sneak preview of their new space on Friday afternoon. John and Lindsey, his wife, are expecting our first grandchild on May 19 so this trip might become more frequent in the weeks ahead.
​

I’m still collecting baptisms stories and saw on social media that College Wesleyan celebrated several baptisms on Easter Sunday. Then, as I was writing this update, Dr. Richard Schenck texted to let me know that the Circle of Hope campus in Beech Grove baptized a new believer this Sunday morning. What a joy to celebrate lives being #madenew!
​

​Just a reminder that Rev. Mike Colaw and the team at Indianapolis Trinity Wesleyan Church are hosting the inaugural Veritas Pastors’ Conference on May 22. Crossroads District is pleased to help sponsor this event that will equip pastors to better understand and address key cultural issues from an orthodox Christian perspective. Registration is free for Crossroads District pastoral staff members but you need to register so that they can make arrangements to welcome you:
​​https://encountertrinity.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/783945
​

Always remember that what you do matters for eternity!

​Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent