 The Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand gathered in Palmerston North on November 7-8 for their national conference and the celebration of their 25th anniversary. Rev. Brett Jones, National Superintendent, convened this assembly of 30+ churches for this special occasion. Dr. Dennis Jackson, Executive Director of Global Partners, and I were invited to be guest presenters. It was a delight to return after an absence of 15 years and to witness the beautiful multi-cultural ministry that God is blessing here in the South Pacific.  This national church was launched by a courageous band of 6 ministers who left behind a denomination that was increasingly hostile to evangelical Methodism. They joined themselves to The Wesleyan Church after early conversations with the Australian National Conference. 25 years later, those original churches have become an established national conference and, together with Australia, for the South Pacific Regional Conference of The Wesleyan Church. There were so many highlights including the introduction of new ministers to be ordained and church planters to be celebrated. Living Streams Church generously hosted our celebration. They not only cared for the meals and the logistics for this gathering but they also provided special music. If you’ve not yet enjoyed the singing of Pacific Islanders, listen to this clip: It was in 2009 that Dr. Richard Waugh, then National Superintendent of the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Church, invited Dr. H.C. Wilson, Dr. Brent Dongell, and me to accompany him to ChristChurch. This strategic visit was an opportunity for vision-casting and prayer. While the Wesleyans were growing and multiplying in the north island, the south island was ripe for a resourcing church that could become a center for leadership development and multiplication.  One of the memorable moments of that experience was praying together on Cashmere Hill Lookout. You can see a stunning panorama of this thriving city from this strategic point. This sprawling metropolis of more than 500,000 people is the second largest city in the nation and the largest city in the south island. At that time, there were a few interested former Methodist laypeople open to helping but God had not yet provided the church planter. Today, I had the privilege of standing on that very same spot 15 years later with the pastor of that first church.  God began writing an exciting new chapter in Christchurch in 2013 when Dr. Clint and Jamie Ussher answered God’s call and planted a new Wesleyan Church called The Well. The church built deep roots before it began to expand but today they average more than 300 in their two weekend worship services. Even more exciting than that is the new daughter church that they launched this year by sending out planters from their own team along with 30 launch team members. Dr. Ussher has two more planters-in-process serving on the staff at The Well. The Lord is sending workers into the harvest field!  All of us believe in giving to missions. Dr. Jackson doesn’t just preach it, he practices what he preaches. One of the special joys of this trip with Dennis was watching him celebrate his own daughter Jamie as she serves in this mission field alongside Clint, her husband, and their two amazing daughters. It was a tender moment this morning in the worship service as Dr. Jackson went forward to receive communion and his daughter served him.  Church planting is just an accelerated process of disciple-making. If you’re not making new disciples in a church plant, you’re just rearranging the saints. The Well is making new disciples. What a delight it was to hear the testimonies yesterday morning of the seven new believers being baptized, some of whom have just come to the Lord in the past few months. Indiana has had a special investment in the mission field of New Zealand with Rev. Amber (Livermore) Cook and Rev. Josh Bowlin both playing key roles in the development of this new work. Pray that God will continue to bless the NZWMC as they make disciples and multiple churches! We're also celebrating back home as Pastor Eric George and the team at Memorial Drive Wesleyan in Muncie celebrated three baptisms yesterday morning. Praise God for lives #MadeNew!  Hurricane Melissa has caused severe damage across Jamaica and Haiti, including Wesleyan churches and the Caribbean Wesleyan College. Our partners at World Hope International are already on the ground providing emergency aid and supplies. You may join in supporting recovery efforts by giving at: worldhope.donorsupport.co/page/Hurricane-Melissa  Save the Date: Crossroads District retired ministers and their spouses are invited to join us for our fall brunch and fellowship on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Eastview Wesleyan Church in Gas City. We’re honored to welcome Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita, as our guest speaker. This is the first year since Dr. Lyon officially “retired” but she and Wayne are both staying very busy.  Come join us for this special occasion. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected] or by calling 765-674-8593 and leaving a message with your name and number of guests attending. Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity! Your servant in Christ, Mark Gorveatte Crossroads District Superintendent Comments are closed.
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