New Pastor at Daybreak, Progress in South Bend, and Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 25, I had the privilege of installing Rev. Andrew Cole as the new pastor at Lapel Daybreak Community Church. Daybreak was planted more than 20 years ago by Rev. Richard and Debbie Cole, Andy’s parents, so he’s no stranger to the congregation. After a successful pastorate with the Church of the Nazarene in Muncie, Andy and Elicia most recently served as lead pastor at Brookview Wesleyan Church in Birmingham, Alabama. While a member of the South Coastal District team, Rev. Cole helped lead the district church planter training and where he was also an Assistant District Superintendent.
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​It is exciting to see the Daybreak congregation’s positive response to Andy’s leadership. Attendance has more than doubled and there’s a wonderful sense of anticipation for this new chapter in the life of the church. We’re also looking forward to Andy’s leadership as part of our Crossroads District Team. Welcome home Andy & Elicia!
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Sunday evening, I joined Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaughn and their team at the Bridge Urban Church in South Bend. It was great to catch up with the progress of this disciples-making ministry. They have a growing core of 20-30 young adults meeting in their home on Wednesdays.

​We also had the opportunity to walk through a vacant church building that may be an option as their ministry takes the step toward weekend worship services. Pray that God will grant this team His wisdom and provision as they reach out to make disciples in the challenges and opportunities of the urban mission field.
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The most exciting news I heard this week was from Pastor Dan Fisher in Delphi where two people prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior yesterday morning! Praise the Lord!
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Last week's ministry schedule was abbreviated with the wonderful and much appreciated Thanksgiving break. On Monday, I was able to connect with Assistant DS Matthew Trexler’s Region 1 leadership cohort as they work through “DiscipleShift.”

​This was a big week for the Trexler family with Adrianna, their oldest child, signing her official letter accepting an athletic scholarship with the basketball program at Indiana Wesleyan University. Pastor Matthew and Adrianna may be the first father-daughter combination to have both played intercollegiate basketball at IWU.

Tuesday morning was our district team meeting and then Assistant DS Chris Williams joined me to interview a prospective church planter over lunch. The final meeting of the day was with Pastor Tim McClellan to debrief the StratOp planning retreat at Lakeview Wesleyan and to map next steps for the two teams that are tackling the key initiatives.
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Our children all made it home for Thanksgiving by Wednesday and we enjoyed having a full house to celebrate together through Saturday noon. We are blessed to have a family that loves God and loves each other. Like you, we have so much for which to be thankful!

Pastor Logan Patriquin announced this past week that The Branch (formerly Schuyler Avenue Wesleyan Church) in Lafayette successfully concluded their search for a worship and students pastor. Ms. Amber Bass will be joining their team on December 2. This is another big step of faith for the team at The Branch as they reach out to their community. We’re excited to welcome Amber to the Crossroads District team and to celebrate this answer to prayer!

​The week after a break always seems to be exciting and this one will be no exception. The Region 2 pastors are meeting in Indianapolis on Tuesday with Assistant DS Mike Colaw. On Thursday, the Heartland Region hosts our second ELEVATE leadership development with Pastor Ken Murphy, this time in Greenwood at IWU’s campus. Then, the Region 2 Christmas party is scheduled for Friday evening at Trinity Wesleyan Church. In between those events, I’m looking forward to coaching conversations with our pastors and at least two interviews with prospective church planters.

Please continue to pray that the Lord of Harvest will send workers into His fields!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte
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Crossroads District Superintendent