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I hope Father’s Day, June 16, was a good day for your church and your family. It can be a special day for those who still have their fathers with them. It is a day of memories for those who have fathers on the other side of eternity. My father, Dr. Ken Gorveatte, went home to his eternal reward on September 17, 2022. In addition to being a wonderful father, Dad pastored three churches in our Crossroads District (LifeSpring, Lifeway, and Brinker Heights). I’m grateful for all the fathers who continue to impact our world for God!  Sherry’s father, Rev. Bob Wilkerson, continues to be a blessing to our family and I was able to join Sherry and worship with him at his home, Lighthouse Assembly of God in Gas City. Before meeting them for worship, I was able to drop in at my home church, The River, as Pastor Matthew Trexler preached on “The Pursuit.” It was another encouraging day at The River with 18 people standing to publicly profess faith in Christ. Assistant Pastor Sam Kauerauf shared a praise report from last week’s NTS Camp. The River sent 106 teens and 24 of these students made first-time professions of faith.  Last week included a big move for our family from Upland to Gaston. It was full speed from Monday through Wednesday to make the 14-mile journey, but we completed the project with help from so many people including Jenna Love, Amante King, and Ocdulia Ellerman. It will take us some time to get settled but we’re looking forward to welcoming our district family to an open house in August. Thank you for your prayers and your patience during the crazy transition last week!  I was back on the trail Thursday with coaching conversations in Lafayette. My first stop was with Rev. Joe Park. Pastor Joe will have served Evergreen Wesleyan Church for 50 years and the church is planning a special celebration on July 14. Rev. Judy Hatt (Fowler Hope Church) joined me in Lafayette for our coaching conversation and a special lunch to celebrate her 85th birthday. Pastor Hatt is stepping away from full-time ministry to relocate nearer to her daughter in Ohio, but she hopes to continue to preach and serve as God opens the door.  My last stop of the day was in Indianapolis with Rev. O_____ P_____. "O" and I first met when I was serving as pastor of Baku International Fellowship in Azerbaijan, almost 25 years ago. We’ve continued to stay in touch through the years. God has continued to bless his ministry of mobilizing workers for the harvest among unreached people groups. It was a joy to reconnect and celebrate the faithfulness of God in our families and ministries. Friday, I was able to drop in at Fairmount Camp for the closing rally of this year’s youth camp. Congratulations to Rev. Andrew Kinney and his team for the powerful program (with IWU professor Dr. DJ Coleman preaching) and the tremendous spiritual response at this year’s camp. Rev. Kinney reported a sold-out camp with 280 students registered.  At least 15 students prayed to receive Christ for the first time, 11 students declared a call to ministry, and more than 200 students recommitted to discipleship. Special thanks to Krista Brown, Fairmount Camp’s Executive Director, and her team for offering this excellent ministry to churches in the Crossroads District and beyond. Plans next year call for offering a separate week for junior and senior high students. My last stop on Friday was in Indianapolis with Rev. Dennis and Barb Croy. Pastor Dennis (East Liberty Church) is recovering from a bone marrow transplant. They are grateful for the love, prayers and support of their church family and many friends as they continue on this journey to a full recovery and return to ministry.  I was back in Indy on Saturday morning to meet with Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaughn as they are exploring the potential for launching a new ministry in the Fountain Square neighborhood. A Nazarene pastor and his family from Virginia stopped by. His wife’s father had pastored the former Central Wesleyan Church back in the 1980s. We had a blessed time of prayer together thanking God for His faithfulness in the past and looking toward future Kingdom possibilities in this community. God is on the move at Albion Wesleyan Church! Rev. Sam Maddox reported another baptism this Sunday. A few years ago, Pastor Sam shared the Gospel with Eric while driving him from the correctional facility to his work release assignment. Eric, once entangled in addiction and drug dealing, has found freedom in Christ and publicly professed his faith through baptism yesterday. Praise the Lord!  Pastor Terry Vaughn and the team at The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka continue to see God working in powerful ways. Yesterday, they dedicated two children, welcomed 130 in attendance, and baptized another new believer. Pastor Terry had been ministering to Irving through the last year as part of their outreach in the community park. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!  Congratulations to Rev. Kalina Carlson and her husband, Brad, on the arrival of their son Ralph Bradley, last week. Rev. Carlson has previously served on our district staff and was the youth pastor at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne. The Carlsons now make their home in Chesterton, near Pastor Kalina’s father. We’re excited for their happy addition!  Congratulations to Youth Pastor Trevor Dailey (North Anderson Wesleyan Church) and to Ashley, his wife, on the safe arrival of their twin boys, Eli and Zeke! Ashley was released but please pray that the boys will continue to grow stronger and soon be able to join her at home.  Congratulations to Rev. Clifton and Arletta Ashlock on celebrating 50 years of marriage! They have three children all serving the Lord, including Rev. Laura Walls who is Assistant Pastor at Waterline Church. Pastor Clifton is concluding his service as pastor at Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield this year. We thank the Lord for the beautiful example and Kingdom impact of their marriage.  Only 12 more days until our ministers and lay delegates gather for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion! Thank you for making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity! Your servant in Christ, Mark Gorveatte Crossroads District Superintendent P.S. Here’s the website for district conference information: https://conference.crossroadsdistrict.org/ Comments are closed.
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