General Board and International Conference

​I’m in Barbados this week for the International Conference of The Wesleyan Church. Sunday morning, I attended the Mother’s Day Service at Cave Hill Wesleyan Church pastored by Rev. Dr. Beverly Lashley and her husband, Jeff. Beverly is a recent graduate from Wesley Seminary and is doing a wonderful job leading this church turnaround.
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​Sunday evening was the opening rally of the conference with Rev. Dr. Wayne Schmidt leading the North American General Conference delegation and Pastor Alex Cicilia (Mexico) preaching. Business sessions begin on Monday morning and concludes on Tuesday evening, Please keep these meetings in your prayers as the global Wesleyan church strategizes to take the Gospel from everywhere to everywhere. You can learn more about the conference at this website:

https://icwc.wesleyan.org/

Last Monday morning, I met with the leadership team at Marion Lakeview Wesleyan Church for an update as they care for the church during Pastor Tim McClellan’s recovery. Thank you for partnering with Tim and Cynthia in prayer through this journey.

Monday evening through Wednesday noon, I was in Fishers with Dr. Wayne Schmidt and the General Board of The Wesleyan Church for our annual spring meeting. Dr. Anita Eastlack shared the sobering statistic that last year The Wesleyan Church closed 22 churches and only opened 12 new congregations. Preparations are underway for the General Conference to be held in St. Louis next year.

Wednesday afternoon, Pastor John Miller, church planter for Way City Church in Speedway, and I met for our annual coaching conversation. They’ve secured a meeting location for their fall launch and are starting a second Bible study group this week.

Thursday morning, Rev. Chris Williams led a coach training session at Eastview Wesleyan Church for district pastors who are part of our Maximizing Impact consultation ministry. It was good to connect with these leaders in our church revitalization ministry. Chris does a great job training ministry coaches for our district and is available to share this training with your local church.
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Thursday afternoon, I was in Fishers to sign legal documents for Trinity Wesleyan Church. My final meeting of the day was my annual coaching conversation with Rev. Dr. Rich Schenck and Pastor Carol Schenck (Circle of Hope Network).  Rev. Joshe Bose, national superintendent for The Wesleyan Church in Bangladesh, joined us for supper. The Circle of Hope Network had 309 in attendance for Easter weekend in their six locations, from Beech Grove to Bangladesh.

Friday morning, I met with Pastor Zach Working for an encouraging update on the revitalization project that he and Pastor Carla are leading at Hope Rising Church in Huntington. Friday afternoon, I met with Pastor Scott McDermid (Sheridan Six Points Church) on follow-up items as he prepares for ordination. Six Points Church welcomed 440 for Easter weekend with 76 of those in children’s ministry, a new record!

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Steve Bray (Fountain City Wesleyan Church) on his graduation from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with his Doctor of Ministry degree!
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​Thank you for all you do to advance God’s Kingdom!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte
Crossroads District Superintendent