New Churches & Old Time Camp Meeting

I’m writing today from New Brunswick, Canada. Yesterday, I worshiped at Moncton Wesleyan Church where Joel Gorveatte, my brother, is the senior pastor. This is the church where my father’s faith was nurtured as a teenager when he answered the call to preach. It’s remarkable to be here now and see how God is already blessing the ministry of my brother in this historic congregation.
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The primary reason for this quick trip to Canada was to join my family on Saturday to celebrate the marriage of my father, Dr. Ken Gorveatte, to Mrs. Merle Stevens. Many of you will know that my mother passed away last year before Christmas. While we all miss Mom, we are so pleased that God brought Dad & Merle together for this next chapter of their lives. My sisters and I will be flying home on Tuesday.
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​Last week began with our district staff meeting on Monday morning. We’re grateful that Seth Bye has joined our team. He will primarily be coordinating scheduling and special events. Monday evening, I met with a personnel committee from a church in Region 1.

Tuesday morning, I participated in our district multiplication team meeting led by Rev. Jon Wiest and held at The Branch in Fairmount. It’s exciting to see how God is bringing together a terrific team with a variety of strengths to lead this movement. This is one team that is never boring as we lean into the opportunities that God has placed before us. And yes, we also shared a few laughs!

​Tuesday evening, Sherry and I were in Muncie to host the Hewitt family for supper as they settle into their new assignment. The children are adjusting to their new community and their new schools. Please continue to pray for Pastor Mike and Kim as they begin making connections and building the team to launch a new disciple-making movement in Muncie.

Rev. Chris Williams and I met with Rev. Amanda Blair, director of our district church fitness team. She is leading the team in preparing for our district-wide leadership development day next April. She and Pastor Johnnie Blair continue to lead the turnaround at Tipton Trinity and serve other churches in the process.

​Wednesday evening and Thursday evening I attended the Old Time Camp Meeting at Fairmount Camp. Rev. Williams, our Assistant DS, brought challenging messages from Hebrews 11 on what it means to be people of faith. Chris is a gifted and anointed communicator! Rev. Bob Van Cise did a great job hosting the services and Angela Spangler’s team provided wonderful hospitality for the campers.

Thursday included meetings with Dr. David Wright, president of Indiana Wesleyan University, and later with Douglas Bradburn, a new Christian counselor who is working with churches in the New Castle area.

I love how so many of our churches find creative ways to connect with their community. Harvest Church in McCordsville created an event called “Touch a Truck” that’s connected them with dozens of families with young children. Pastor Brad LeRoy is still in recovery from surgery but was back on the platform for this special weekend.

Pastor Marc and Heather Ulrich’s team at Merrillville ReThink Church handed out over 1000 donut holes to parents waiting in the “drop off line” at their neighborhood school. Then, on Saturday night, they welcomed 130 people for the Vision Night put on by their Leadership Academy (a team of emerging leaders that they’ve been mentoring).
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​People with passion for a vision will do whatever it takes, short of sin, to build bridges with people who don’t yet have a relationship with Christ!

Keep on shining bright in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,
Mark Gorveatte