Silver Lake, Camps, and Baptisms

Sunday morning, July 2, I had the privilege of representing the Crossroads District at Silver Lake Wesleyan Church. In addition to sharing an update and preaching the sermon, it was my joy to honor Rev. Duane Seitz with a certificate and medallion in recognition of his 60 years of ordained ministry in The Wesleyan Church. Pastor Duane and JoEllen Seitz have been faithfully serving the Silver Lake congregation since 2016. We are grateful to God and appreciate their faithful and effective ministry for six decades.
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I was back on the road for coaching conversations this week. I had a great time in the South Bend region on Wednesday. My first stop was with Rev. Ed Friberg who is preparing to step into leadership at Shiloh Wesleyan Church this month. My next stop was with Rev. Greg Holmes, pastor of Sonlight Wesleyan Church in South Bend. Pastor Greg’s daughter lost her home to a fire last week so their family has been helping with the recovery process.

Later that afternoon, I had coffee with Rev. Ben and Kristen Jones (North Liberty Beaver Creek Wesleyan). Ben was one of the 11 ministers ordained at district conference. My final stop of the day was at The Bridge Urban Church in Mishawaka. Pastor Terry and Lennaire Vaugh lead this exciting new church. They blessed four new neighborhood entrepreneurs with free equipment for starting a lawn care service. (Hunter, the youngest recipient, an 11-year-old boy, reported back on Thursday that he’d already earned his first $70.)
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Congratulations to the Sweetser Wesleyan Church Bible Bowl Quiz teams. They competed in the national competition held last week at Indiana Wesleyan University and came away with their three teams placing in the top 7 of all teams competing. If your church would like to learn more about the national Bible quizzing program sponsored by The Wesleyan Church, please contact Dr. Matthew Stewart, pastor at Sweetser Wesleyan Church.
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In case you missed conference, we’re praising God that professions of faith were up 35% (from 851 to 1148), and that we baptized 620 people last year (the highest number of baptisms since 2016). Praise the Lord that you also reported 156 people testifying to God’s call to the ministry. This is the highest number reported in more than a decade!
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​We announced a special scholarship for PK’s (teenagers who have parents appointed to local church service) of $300 each from the Thrive Fund to help them attend this year’s FOLLOW Conference in Cincinnati (Dec. 28-30, 2023).
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We also announced an initiative from our Property Fund that will provide $50,000 in 5 challenge grants to match up to $10,000 for vital facility improvement projects in churches where the need is great. The church commits to raising 50% of the required funding. These grants will enable churches to better serve their community and to prevent costly repairs that might limit future ministry. The DBA welcomes competitive applications for these five grants.

Frankfort Camp Ministries invites all to their annual Family Camp, July 9-16. Rev. Keith Hinton and Rev. Dale Freed are the featured speakers for this years camp. Services begin on Sunday evening at 6 p.m., and then at 7 p.m. through the week, concluding with the 4 p.m. closing rally on Sunday, July 16. That closing rally features a musical concert by Adam’s Voice. For more information, visit their website: https://www.frankfortcampministries.com/events.html
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​Fairmount Camp Ministries also extends an invitation to all for their annual Family Camp, July 23-30. This years camp evangelists are Rev. Patty Bray and Rev. Nathan Metz. Camp begins at 10:30 on Sunday morning, July 23, with Rev. Jeff Luedtke, Chair of the Fairmount Camp Board preaching. Evening services continue at 6:30 through the week concluding with Rev. Nathan Metz preaching at the closing evening service on July 30. For more information, visit their website: https://www.fairmountcamp.org/family-camp.html

​We love sharing reports from our churches of lives being #MadeNew by the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Rev. Nicolas and Rev. Adriana Zarate, leaders of Rey de Gloria Iglesia Wesleyana, a campus of Circle of Hope, led by Dr. Rich and Rev. Carol Schenck, celebrated 7 more baptisms in June!

Dr. Oliver Dongell has accepted a call to become the pastor of Brevard Wesleyan Church in North Carolina, but before leaving he concluded his 20-year ministry at Plymouth Wesleyan Church on a high note celebrating 5 more baptisms!
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The River Church in Marion continues to celebrate God’s moving. Nine more people stepped out in obedience to God’s Word last Sunday and publicly professed their faith in Christ!
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Cafe Con Dios, a campus of Muncie Rising Hope in Seville (Spain), celebrated 20 baptisms at the beach in June. Pastor Marcos and Banessa Cruz lead this campus. Rev. Mike Hewitt and a team of leaders will be back on site this fall to celebrate the first anniversary of this campus.
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(Please forward photos and notes from the baptism service that your church has this summer so we can celebrate with you.)
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Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent

​​P.S. Please pray with us as our next generation of Wesleyan leaders gather in Cincinnati for Follow Conference this December. Seminars and workshops will be available for pastors and parents so make please every effort to attend!
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