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Dr. Sherry Gorveatte and I had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. David Cox and the team at Laketon Wesleyan Church as they celebrated the 125th anniversary of this ministry. The auditorium was full for this special service with members, friends, and relatives gathering to mark this significant milestone. Pastor David’s message challenged us to remember the past with thanksgiving and move into the future with faith and persistence.
Pastor Cox led us in honoring the memory of Esther Dickey, Laketon’s first pastor back in 1897, and we joined in celebrating Mrs. Kathleen Morris, the oldest living member who was present with us today, Mrs. Morris is 97 years old, the widow of Rev. Floyd Morris who pastored Laketon, and she still plays the piano for worship. After the service and reception, we hosted Pastor David and Suzanne for lunch and enjoyed hearing more stories of God’s blessing on their ministry together in Laketon. Last week began with the district staff meeting on Monday afternoon followed by an extended call review with the LBA at The River Church in Marion. Rev. Michael Hewitt and I drove to Georgetown, Kentucky on Monday evening to participate in Tuesday’s meeting of the Heartland Region’s district superintendent roundtable. 
Tuesday’s working session, held at Focus Church in Georgetown, was very positive with helpful contributions from the church planting champions representing each of our respective districts. It is a blessing to serve at this roundtable with DS Les Crossfield (Greater Ohio District), DS Doug Preston (Indiana South District), and DS Aaron Sherman (KY-TN District). Wednesday, I was back on the road in our district for a coaching conversation with Rev. David Leitzel (Hamilton Wesleyan Church), hosted lunch with some of our Fort Wayne area pastors, and then traveled on to Jonesboro for a coaching conversation with Rev. Noah Farmer (Eastview Wesleyan Church). My final stop of the day was in Elwood for the revival service hosted by Rev. Jon Noggle at Central Wesleyan Church. Rev. Ray Lasalle, the evangelist, was his senior pastor when Jon was first serving as a youth minister in Ohio. 
Assistant DS Carla Working, Michael Wood, and I hosted the annual fall gathering for retired pastors and their spouses at College Wesleyan Church on Thursday morning. This is always a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. We heard a powerful teaching from Dr. Bud Bence, enjoyed delicious refreshments catered by Velvet Haisley, and were blessed by the testimony of Rev. William Babb II who is our oldest ordained minister (100 years old) in the Crossroads District. 
I traveled to Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon for a coaching conversation with Rev. Gawin Anderson, our new pastor at Indianapolis Divine Direction Church, then made it back to Jonesboro in time to drop in on the Thanksgiving outreach dinner that Eastview Wesleyan Church provided for their neighbors. They had a great team with more than 30 volunteers serving and a positive response from their community. 
Friday, I met with Ryan Biegel, Youth For Christ Executive Director for our area, over lunch in Marion for an exciting update on his recent mission trip to India. Then, on Friday evening, Sherry and I hosted four of our pastoral couples for an evening of fellowship and prayer. We are blessed to serve with such a committed team of servant leaders! 
Saturday morning, I joined Pastor Gawin Anderson and the LBA at Indianapolis Divine Direction Church for board training and development, This was a timely session with a new pastor joining their team and with the recent changes in effect with the publishing of the new Discipline of The Wesleyan Church. 
If you’ve not yet acquired your copy of the 2022 Discipline, the free digital version is now available for downloading from this website: Nothing is more exciting than rejoicing with our churches that are celebrating public professions of faith in the waters of baptism. Rev. Scott McDermid and the team at Sheridan Six Points Church set a new record on Sunday with 11 baptisms. 
Rev. David Dignal and the team at Edgerton Wesleyan Church are giving thanks to God today for three more baptisms. Praise the Lord for every person being #MadeNew by the gospel of Jesus Christ! 
We’re also celebrating with Rev. Rochelle (Circle City Church) and Travis Jenkins as they presented Atlas, their baby boy, to receive the sacrament of baptism administered by Rev. Emily Hines (Brookhaven Wesleyan Church) on Saturday morning, November 19. Thank God for His covenant promises and prevenient grace! 
Our district office will close at noon on Wednesday and reopen on Monday, November 28, to allow our team to invest time with their families. May God bless you and your loved ones as you gather to offer thanksgiving to our gracious Father. 
Your servant in Christ, Mark Gorveatte Crossroads District Superintendent Comments are closed.
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