Labor Day Weekend Baptism Reports!

I trust that you were able to enjoy some time relaxing with your family and friends over this Labor Day weekend. Sherry and I enjoyed taking a few days off including time with our children in Michigan. I hope you’ll be encouraged by this briefer than normal team update.

Last week’s abbreviated schedule included working with an LBA on a pastoral search, interviewing prospective church planters, conducting coaching conversations, and leading staff meetings. One of the highlights of last week was a meeting on Friday with Rev. Mike Hewitt (our district’s church multiplication champion), Rev. Bernie Haddad, and Toni, one of the ladies that Bernie is discipling through Mercy Unleashed.
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It is so encouraging to hear how God is at work through this ministry to prisoners and their families. Our church plant (Eden Unleashed) in the New Castle prison continues to meet for ministry but outside guests are still restricted. Pray for Danny and the other men in our church there who are faithfully discipling within the walls.

Again this week we have the privilege of rejoicing with our churches that are celebrating lives #madenew by the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Pastor Paul VanCise shared good news of three baptisms in the Bryant Wesleyan Church on September 6 and 2 more on August 23 in their ministry partnership that Joe Schmidt is leading in Dunkirk.
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​Pastor Jeremy Armiger and Dr. Jim Lo baptized three new believers at Parkview Wesleyan Church in Chesterfield. God is honoring the focused prayer and community evangelism that Parkview is pursuing.

Pastor Neftali Lopez and the congregation at Carmel Amistad Iglesia Wesleyana celebrated lives being #madenew in an outdoor baptism on Sunday. Three new believers publicly professed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord!
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Jesus declared, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:7 (NLT)
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​We’re thanking God for answered prayer. Three of our pastors who tested positive for Covid-19 over the last several weeks have all received tests confirming that they are now free from the virus. Thank you for each one who joined them in prayer.

Pastor Mark Atkinson (Gas City Eastview) has been released from the hospital to recover at home from his recent heart surgery. It was great to speak with Pastor Mark by phone from his home on Thursday. Please continue to remember Mark and Ronda in prayer.

PRAYER GATHERING set for September 27, 6 p.m., at The River Church in Marion. This is a change from the previous announcement. For the past few months our district pastors have only gathered on ZOOM for updates and prayer. This month, we will plan to meet in person. Dr. Jim Lo and I will be hosting this prayer meeting as we seek the Lord for revival in our churches and in our land. If you are able, please plan to join us.

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent