 Sunday, June 9, Pastor Mike Hewitt and the team at Rising Hope Church in Muncie celebrated the commissioning of Janiel and Leana Caraballo. The Caraballos have been on staff at Rising Hope Church as church-planting residents while they’ve been laying the groundwork for Exit Church, a new Wesleyan ministry in Anderson. I had the privilege of bringing greetings from our Crossroads District team and joining in the commissioning prayer.  Pastor Joe Jackson and the team at Anderson United Wesleyan Church are hosting the Caraballo family in their parsonage this year while the church planting moves into the launching phase. Janiel and Leana will also provide bilingual ministry to Hispanic members of the United congregation this year. Please keep the Exit Church team in your prayers as they make disciples in the Anderson community. Our district office staff met in Marion on Monday and then I traveled to Indianapolis for a supper meeting with Rev. Benjamin Tuimuk, pastor of Shalom Church. Tuesday included coaching conversations with Dr. Matthew Stewart (Sweetser Wesleyan) and Nathan Mabry (North Wabash Wesleyan). My last stop of the day was with Rev. Dan Fisher and the LBA (Local Board of Administration) at Delphi Wesleyan Church. Worship attendance at Delphi Wesleyan increased by 15% this year (from 47 to 54) and baptisms doubled to 11 this year.  Coaching conversations on Wednesday included Rev. Joe Jackson (Anderson United), Rev. Michael Hewitt (Muncie Rising Hope), and Rev. Eric George (Muncie Memorial Drive). I wrapped up coaching conversations for the week with Rev. David Shafer (North Anderson) and Rev. David Leitzel (Hamilton Wesleyan). Pastor Shafer wins the prize for best T-shirt worn to a coaching conversation this week.  Sherry and I received another invitation to a high school graduation reception for this past Saturday afternoon. Pastor Matthew and Nicole Trexler hosted a delightful party for Levi with family and friends gathering to celebrate with them. Levi is sensing God’s call on his life for ministry and is planning to enroll at Indiana Wesleyan University for the fall semester.  We’re rejoicing with churches across our district who continue to witness God moving in people’s lives. Pastor Ryan Budde and the team at Jonesboro Westview Wesleyan Church celebrated five baptisms on June 9. Westview saw 20 people profess faith in Christ and 12 baptisms. Praise the Lord!  Rev. Rob Tippey and the team at Wabash New Journey Church are thanking God for two more baptisms on Sunday morning, June 9. This past conference year, New Journey Church saw 27 people profess faith in Christ and 13 people baptized. God is moving!  Pastor Paul Van Cise and the team at Bryant Wesleyan Church had the joy of baptizing 3 more new believers on June 9. It is encouraging to see God at work in our cities. suburbs, and in our valued rural communities. Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!  Youth camps are in full swing starting this week. NTS (Never The Same) camp is back at Indiana Wesleyan University both this week and next. The youth camp at Fairmount sold out for the second year in a row. These camps are significant opportunities for spiritual impact in the next generation. Please pray for these campers and the staff who are serving them. It’s not too early to make plans to participate in the Wesleyan youth leaders’ training event coming to Indianapolis on October 11-12. The price is right and the location is convenient. Make every effort to be there and to bring a team of youth workers from your church.  Thank you for your prayers for Rev. Dennis Croy. Here’s an update he and Barb wanted us to share with you: “We are praising the Lord that I received my bone marrow transplant on May 23rd. I was discharged from the hospital on June 5th. The doctors earlier said I would be in the hospital for 4 weeks. God provided a blessing and I only had to be there 2 weeks and 6 days. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.” Let’s keep partnering in prayer! Many of our pastors and their spouses have joined us for one of our Friday fellowships over the past seven years at our home in Upland. We have enjoyed these monthly gatherings as well as hosting church planning retreats and special district guests such as Bishop Siachitema. We accepted an unexpected offer to sell our house a few weeks ago and will be downsizing to a home in Gaston. I’ll be off for a few days this week as we make that move. We look forward to more opportunities to host pastors and other district guests in the years ahead. Only 19 more days until our ministers and lay delegates gather for the Crossroads District Conference on June 29 at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion! Thank you for 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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