Harvest, Shalom, and Baptisms!

Sunday morning, February 11, Pastor Scott Ferguson and the team at Harvest Church in McCordsville welcomed me to bring greetings and the morning message. It was encouraging to see the response of the Harvest congregation to Pastor Scott’s leadership as he begins his ministry with them. Rev. Ferguson came to Harvest from Southland Church in Lexington, Kentucky and had previously served in our district at Fountain City LifeSpring Church. I met with the leadership team briefly after the service and was excited to learn about a potential partnership with the public school system.
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When I’m at Harvest it is always good to catch up with Rev. Larry Moore (Wesleyan Investment Foundation). Our family connections date back several decades from when my father allowed me to accompany him when he was the evangelist for special meetings at the church Larry’s father, Rev. Fred Moore, pastored in Levant, New York. Larry and Karen later served with my father and mother at Kingswood University. I’m grateful for the godly heritage that we both share.

My next stop was on the southside of Indianapolis with Rev. Benjamin Tuimuk and the beautiful congregation at Shalom Church. This congregation is comprised of refugees who fled religious and political persecution in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Our Southview Wesleyan Church, led then by Rev. Rick Matthews, graciously partnered to help get this new ministry established. They average about 100 in worship with a strong ministry to children and teenagers. The church has purchased property nearby and is taking steps toward having their own worship facility in the coming years. It was a joy to preach and worship with them.
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My final stop of the day was with Rev. Noah Farmer and the LBA (Local Board of Administration) at Gas City Eastview Wesleyan Church. Pastor Noah is in the second year of his initial call as senior pastor and will be voted on next month for his extended call. The LBA voted to unanimously recommend Pastor Farmer’s ministry. Yesterday was another positive day at Eastview with more than 200 present for worship and with 12 people publicly responding to make commitments of faith!
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Last week’s DS schedule included coaching conversations and pastoral vote reviews. I was also able to represent our district family at the funeral in Fowler on Tuesday morning for Rev. Judy Hatt’s husband, John, and at the funeral in Warsaw on Wednesday morning for Rev. Dennis Croy’s father, John. Pastor Croy was unable to attend his father’s memorial service due to being hospitalized to commence treatments for leukemia. Please remember these families in your prayers.

I met with the LBA at Chesterfield Parkview Wesleyan Church on Tuesday evening. Rev. Clifton Ashlock has given notice that he will be concluding his service to the church with this conference year. The church has been doing well under Pastor Ashlock’s ministry so please join me in praying for God to provide clear direction in this time of transition.
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Friday, February 9, Sherry and I had the privilege of welcoming lead pastors and their spouses to our home for an evening of fellowship. No group of people laughs more or sings better than a group of ministers. The prayer time is also a precious time for these soldiers of the Cross to intercede for each other. We were honored to have Pastor Joe and Nancy Parks come all the way from Lafayette. Some of you may know that Pastor Joe will celebrate his 50th year of ministry at Evergreen Wesleyan Church this summer. We’re looking forward to welcoming a group on Friday, March 15 (2 open slots), and then again on Friday, April 19 (2 open slots), and one more time on Friday, May 10 (3 open slots). We’d love to have you join us!

Saturday morning, Dr. Chris Williams, Assistant DS and pastor of Lakeview Wesleyan Church, welcomed leaders from four churches for a day of learning and planning that we call Next Level. Dr. Matthew Stewart, Michael Wood and I assisted Chris in hosting this event. The largest group came the farthest as Rev. Terry Vaughn brought seven members of his leadership team from The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka/South Bend.

Dr. Williams has agreed to host another session of Next Level this fall so please contact the office if your leadership team would like to be included in that workshop.
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We’re always excited to share the stories that you pass along of baptisms in your congregation. This week we’re celebrating with Pastor Sam Maddox and the team at Albion Wesleyan Church as two men stepped forward to follow Christ and publicly declare their faith through baptism. Last conference year, Albion Wesleyan averaged 51 in attendance with 9 baptisms. This conference year, worship attendance has been averaging nearly 70 with 7 baptisms to date. Praise the Lord for lives being #MadeNew!

Here’s a shout out to all the pastors and congregation who responded to the challenge of blessing Rev. Greg Holmes (pastor of South Bend Sonlight) and his family. Pastor Greg faces a long physical recovery from the back injury he sustained from falling on the ice while working a part-time job. As one of our faithful bi-vocational pastors, Greg’s income was immediately cut in half. Your generosity not only met but exceeded our $5000 challenge grant from the pastor emergency relief fund. Thank you for your giving and for your prayers!

Last call! Don’t miss this year’s Crossroads District All-Nighter in Fort Wayne this Friday, February 16! In addition to the inspiring worship rally, our students will be enjoying Crazy Pinz, Canlan Ice Rink, laser tag, and the YMCA! Here is the registration link:
​https://districtallnighter2024.eventbrite.com

April 11-13, College Wesleyan Church will host the first-ever Marketplace Multipliers Conference! The goal of this conference is not just to share information on Marketplace Multiplier, but to create a network of pastors and lay people who are called to be conduits of the gospel, wherever they are located, and encourage each other throughout the year.
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You are invited to this special event to hear from clergy and laity alike—practitioners on the front lines of this movement, and those in the trenches. You can learn more about the conference and register for the event at this website:
https://collegewes.com/multipliersconference

​Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!
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Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent