New Journey, DBMD, and a Baptism!

Sunday morning, January 17, I had the joy of worshiping with Rev. Rob Tippey and the team at New Journey Community Church in Wabash. Pastor Rob is in his second year leading this dynamic ministry. There was a wonderful sense of God’s presence in both of their worship services.

Pastor Rob is preaching a series on the Lord’s Prayer to begin the new year. During the second service, he led the congregation in a time of anointing with oil and praying for healing. I am glad that The Wesleyan Church (2016 Discipline, paragraph 430) still affirms this scriptural practice (James 5:14).
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Last week began with our district staff team meeting on Monday afternoon. Monday evening, I met with Dr. Rich and Rev. Carol Schenck and the LBA at Noblesville Circle of Hope Wesleyan Church for a positive review of their extended call. The Schencks lead the growing Circle of Hope network that includes campuses in Anderson, Beech Grove, Indianapolis, and Noblesville. They also partner with Rev. Nicholas and Rev. Adriana Zarate for a growing Hispanic ministry. Rev. Carol Schenck, in addition to her local church leadership, serves as District Secretary for the Crossroads District.

Tuesday included connecting with Rev. Lyle Breeding at Bluffton Sonlight, interviewing a transferring pastor in Indianapolis, and meeting with Pastor Rich Van Vuren and the LBA at Shiloh Wesleyan Church as they move into their annual membership reaffirmation process.

Wednesday morning, I was in Tipton to meet first with Rev. Logan Westrick (Ash Street Wesleyan) and then with Rev. Johnnie Blair (Trinity Wesleyan Church). It was good to connect over lunch with Pastor Dan Clark (Monon Wesleyan) before wrapping up my day in Indianapolis with Rev. Nicholas and Rev. Adriana Zarate. Thursday morning, Dr. Steve Bray and I met in his office at LifeSpring Church in Richmond. My last meeting on Thursday was back in Marion with Assistant DS Rev. Matthew Trexler.

The highlight of the week was participating in the District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD) ordination interviews led by Dr. Chris Williams through the day on Friday and again on Saturday morning. Each of our zones and regions do the very important work of welcoming ministerial students into the DBMD process and walking with them as they prepare for ordination. In the final year, the district-wide team (comprised of representatives from each region) meets with candidates for their final round of interviews prior to being recommended to the district conference for ordination.
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I’m grateful for each lay leader and ordained minister who serves in this significant ministry of our district. Dr. Chris Williams, Chair, and Rev. Carla Working, Vice-Chair and Secretary, are doing a wonderful job leading this vital team and preparing this year’s group for ordination. There are 18 candidates, 9 women and 9 men, who have been approved to move forward in the process toward being recommended for ordination this year. May God continue to raise up workers for His harvest!

On Friday evening, I met with the LBA at Elwood Central Wesleyan Church to assist them as they prepare to launch their pastor search. Pray that God will direct each of our churches that are moving into this time of prayerful consideration for one of the most important decisions in the life of a congregation.

We love to hear how people are responding to the Gospel! This week, Pastor Steve Colter (Marion Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church) shared the exciting news that one of their teenagers was baptized last Sunday and that they have several others “in the wings.” Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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The deadline is fast approaching to register for the 2022 FUEL Conference coming to Muncie, Indiana on February 3-4! FUEL is a wonderful event to encourage our Next-Gen (both youth and children’s ministry) leaders. Please encourage your leaders to invest in their personal & ministry development by attending. For more information about our district please email District Youth President Jessica Folz at [email protected]. Additional details for FUEL are found here: www.wesleyan.org/fuel
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There is still time to register for the Heartland Gathering on March 22-24, 2022 in Pigeon Forge, TN. For the speaker lineup and more detailed information, please visit:
https://gathering.heartlandregion.org
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May God continue to richly bless you and your church team as you share God’s love with your community in this new year!​
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​Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte
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​Crossroads District Superintendent

​PS - We received word from Rev. Emily Hines last night that her father, Mr. Darrell Lumpkin, passed away earlier in the evening. Funeral arrangements will be shared when available. Please remember Pastor Emily and her family in your prayers.