Jonesboro Main Street and Coaching Conversations

​Sherry and Jordan joined me yesterday as we worshiped at Jonesboro Main Street Wesleyan Church. Pastor Ken Dykhoff is completing his seventh year of service. Ken and I had the joy of working together previously in the West Michigan District so it has been good to reconnect. Some of you will know that Brenda, Ken’s wife, had a stroke and surgery back  in 2012. They have always served together as partners in ministry so this has been a challenging season for both of them. After lunch with his family, Ken and I met back at the church for his annual coaching conversation. One highlight of our conversation was learning about the key role that Grandmother Soulz and her 12 children played in the history of the church.
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​Sherry and I were back at the new district office hub to apply a second coat of paint on Monday. It’s coming together and we’re aiming to have an open house on the Saturday afternoon after district conference concludes. Mrs. Roxene Lo will be located there while Mrs. Raleigh Pedro continues to serve out of our office space at the headquarters office in Fishers. While Pastor Chris and I spend most of our days (and some nights) ministering on the road, we both have home offices. Our new phone system will provide you with one number access even though most days find us serving in multiple locations.
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​Coaching conversations were the focus of the remainder of the week. On Tuesday, I met with Pastor Rick Matthews, Pastor Duane Summitt, and Dr. Rich and Rev. Carol Schenck. Rich and Carol had just returned from ministering with Joshe Bose in Bangladesh so the “jet lag” added some humor to our meeting. They were there as part of the 2017 Annual Conference and reported that many attending the meeting had just come to know Christ in the last two years. Do pray for Joshe and the young leaders of this mission field which is one of the two priority partnership projects for the Crossroads District.
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​On Wednesday morning, I was in Bryant for a coaching conversation with Pastor Paul Van Cise before he and Angelyn left to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They’re having an effective ministry in Bryant and we congratulate them on this marriage milestone!
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Wednesday afternoon, Kory Christensen and I connected in New Haven at Impact Church for his coaching conversation. Pastor Rob Tippey and Level 13 modeled multiplication when they released Kory and his team to launch this new church in January 2013.  Kory and Becky are deeply embedded in the community and living out their vision to creating a disciple-making movement. To plant 100 new Kingdom communities in the next 10 years, means we need to raise up hundreds of disciple-making leaders like Kory and Becky who will step out in faith. The harvest is plentiful. The workers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into His harvest field here in Indiana.

​On Thursday, I met Pastor Joe Allen (Albion Wesleyan) for a coaching conversation. Both Joe and Rachel have had serious health concerns and would be grateful for your prayers as they continue to minister. Thursday afternoon, I met with Pastor Thomas Beck who pastors the Larwill Wesleyan Church. Thomas is one of our bi-vocational pastors who balances a family, a ministry and a career. He shared that his ministry at Larwill began with these words of advice from his DS Dr. Harold Bardsley: “Go preach and don’t get discouraged.” Tom and Julie have been serving there now for 17 years so that advice really worked.

Friday morning, I met with Pastor Logan Westrick in Tipton. Logan & Nancy are celebrating 57 years of marriage this month and have served together in ministry for 51 years. They have an abiding passion to see people come to know Christ and their children’s ministry is one of the strengths of Ash Street Wesleyan. Logan is a great example of what it looks like to serve well and finish strong.
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Friday afternoon, I connected with Pastor Tom Parsons in Hartford City for our coaching conversation. Some of you will know that Tom had a military career before his conversion and call to preach. While he would have been a great officer, I’m glad he answered to a higher calling. Early in his ministry, he was given a gift by a member that was captioned: “Preach the truth – no matter what.” Tom’s commitment to preaching truth is one of the real strengths of the Hartford City Wesleyan Church today.

​Don’t miss this year’s district conference, June 23-24, at College Wesleyan Church in Marion. All ministers are required to attend but everyone is welcome. I believe you’ll find the seminars informative, the worship inspirational, the fellowship enriching, and the presentations challenging. Here’s the link to share with your team: http://conference.crossroadsdistrict.org/

Do keep Pastor Lloyd Moore on your prayer list as he awaits a liver transplant. You can connect with Rhonda on Facebook to follow along with her updates. Also remember Pastor Rick and Tina Patterson (Colfax Wesleyan) as they recover from a serious car accident. They were able to return to ministry at the church yesterday and are grateful for your prayers.

Thank you for your service in the cause of Christ. What you are doing matters for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte
District Superintendent