Grand Opening, Pastors’ Fellowship, and Baptisms!

What a great day! Pastor Scott Rhyno and the team at Waterline Church in Pendleton/Ingalls celebrated the grand opening of their first permanent facility. The first thirteen years for Waterline, since being planted by John and Danielle Freed, were in a series of temporary facilities with setup and storage almost every weekend. God opened the door for a long-term lease in a multipurpose space that Waterline’s team transformed into a welcoming worship center.
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They hosted a community outreach event on Saturday that welcomed more than 100 neighbors. On Sunday, they launched with two morning services (9 and 11) and needed the space for 170 (net) attending. The most exciting part of the day was four baptisms. Two of those baptisms came as a result of the husband laying tile in the facility. God used what he heard and saw in the lives of the Waterline volunteers. He prayed to receive Christ and then yesterday, he and his wife drove all the way from Louisville to be baptized. God is on the move at Waterline!
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Sunday evening, I had the privilege of installing Rev. Edward Silliman as pastor at Nelson Street Wesleyan Church in Marion. Pastor Ed and Bonnie Silliman have been warmly welcomed by the congregation. The church has been doing community outreach on Saturdays and they have welcomed between 30 and 40 guests for these events.
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Monday morning, I was in Marion to meet with our district staff and also had the opportunity to check in with Rev. Carla Working’s cohort meeting at The River Church. I’m grateful for Carla’s willingness to invest in our women in ministry each month.
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Pastoral search season came early this year. On Monday evening, I met with the LBA at Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church to begin their search process with the announced transition of Rev. Johnnie Blair. Then on Wednesday evening, I met with the LBA at Mount Etna Community Life Church where Pastor Mike Gallant has announced his retirement. This pastoral search process will be a new experience for this congregation which recently joined our district family.
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Last week included coaching conversations with Rev. Shane Wilson (Columbia City New Hope), Rev. Ed Friberg (Plymouth Shiloh), Jerry Smith (Tipton Ash Street), Rev. Jarod Osborne (Warsaw Pathway), Rev. Matt Ohime (Hamlet Davis), and Rev. Jere Gowin (Kingsford Heights). I’m grateful for our leaders who faithfully serve in such a variety of contexts.

When I was heading north last week, I dropped in at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. It was encouraging to see the generosity of our churches and other community groups that are pitching in to provide relief for the flood victims in North Carolina. Assistant Pastor Levi Lehman was coordinating the packaging of contributions for the second semi-trailer. If the generosity continues at this pace, they’re looking at sending our third trailer load next week.

I’m grateful for the volunteers from our district who accompanied Rev. Don. Bayne (New Carlisle Wesleyan) to serve in North Carolina last week. Pastor Ben Jones is taking another team back to North Carolina to help with unloading the delivery truck and they will also assist with the cleanup efforts.
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Ben’s team will need to be able to lift 30 lbs. You will need to bring a sleeping bag, air mattress, bedding, and towels. If you’d like to join Ben’s team, you can contact him via email: [email protected]. The pastors in NC report that they need volunteers to help with the work since their teams have been doing it nonstop since the crisis started. They are grateful for people who are flexible and willing to serve.

The week closed out with a delightful “Pastors and Spouses’ Brunch” hosted by Pastor Jeff Luedtke’s team at The Branch Cafe in Fairmount. We enjoyed a delicious meal, great fellowship, and some fun door prizes. Our next get-together is scheduled for November 16 at Waterline Church. The RSVP link is still open for pastors to register.
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This is Pastor Appreciation Month and Wesleyan Publishing House is offering a 25% discount code for Wesleyan pastors. Just click on the link or scan the QR code to take advantage of this special offer:
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Pastor Sam Maddox and the team at Albion Wesleyan Church celebrated another baptism yesterday. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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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​
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P.S. All credentialed ministers appointed to local church service are invited to save the date of December 7 for our Christmas gathering. This Saturday brunch will be hosted on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University and will feature a Christmas concert from the IWU Chorale. Seating is limited, and a link to RSVP has been sent to pastors.