Southside, Milestones, and Prayer!

Sunday morning, September 11, Sherry and I had the privilege of worshiping with Rev. Brent Miller and his team at Southside Wesleyan Church in Gas City. Southside relaunched their children’s ministry this morning and Pastor Brent was excited to announce that they have as many as 5 people preparing for baptism in the next few weeks. It was also good to catch up with Mrs. Kim Holloway, mother of Taylor, Southside’s gifted worship leader. Kim and Rev. Tom Holloway, her husband, were part of the West Michigan District team when Sherry and I served there. They now lead a Wesleyan church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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Southside Wesleyan Church is also organizing a short-term missions trip for next year and had 30+ people attend the first informational meeting. Rev. Miller is another one of our many effective bi-vocational pastors. After the morning service, Pastor Brent and Naomi joined us for a delightful conversation over lunch. We are blessed to have the Millers leading at Southside!

Sunday evening, Rev. Gary Bingham and the team at Marion Hillside Wesleyan Church welcomed our Crossroads District Prayer Gathering (CDPG). I am grateful for all that were able to make time to join us for this hour of intercession on behalf of our nation and our mission field here in Indiana. Special thanks to Rev. Bingham, Dr. Jim Lo, Rev. Fred Cromer, Rev. Carla Working, and Rev. Mark Atkinson for leading us through this concert of prayer. Our next CDPG is scheduled for October 2 at Greenfield Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church.
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After enjoying time with family last Monday on Labor Day, our district office staff met on Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon, I traveled north to connect with Rev. Sam Maddox, Jr,, pastor at Albion Wesleyan Church, for our annual coaching conversation. Pastor Sam is one of our newest pastors and is off to a great start in Albion.

Many of you have joined our family in praying for my father who developed an infection on his brain after a recent surgery. The medical team advised us on Tuesday to move Dad into the palliative care unit so I traveled to Canada on a roundtrip flight to be with him and to serve as a designated support person (DSP). I was able to arrive on Wednesday evening and be with him through the day and all night Thursday. I spent time with him again on Friday afternoon and made another visit on Saturday morning before flying back home Saturday night.
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Given the uncertainty and distance, I’ll be driving back to Canada early this week to be with my sisters who are there supporting Dad and his wife, Merle. Thank you for your prayers for Rev. Dr. Kenneth Gorveatte as he nears the end of this race and prepares to head Home. Our family is blessed by Dad’s legacy and we rest in the blessed hope we share in Christ and His triumphant resurrection!

Speaking of legacy, Rev. William Babb II celebrated his 100th birthday on September 9 and was honored with a reception hosted at Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church on Saturday afternoon. Rev. Babb is a wonderful example of Christ-like servant leadership and we are so glad that he’s part of our Crossroads District team!
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Another milestone was achieved this past week as Fairmount Camp hosted their 50th Married Couples Retreat (MCR). Only eternity will fully record the significant impact of this ministry in building stronger marriages and families.

We received word that retired pastor Rev. Glen Raney passed away over the weekend. The funeral is planned for Wednesday and we will distribute additional details as they are available. Our sympathies and prayers are extended to his family and many friends in our Crossroads District.
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Dr. Steve Bray announced his resignation from the senior pastorate at Richmond LifeSpring Church this weekend. Dr. Bray has accepted the invitation to become the lead pastor at The Grace Place, an independent church in Stuart, Florida, where he had previously served as assistant pastor. Steve has been a valued member of our Crossroads District Board of Administration and God has blessed his effective leadership at LifeSpring Church. Please pray for LifeSpring Church and for the Brays in this season of transition.

​Have you registered yet for the Celebration of Holiness event, September 30, at College Wesleyan Church? We have a great lineup of speakers for this one-day event and the $20 registration fee includes your meal and Kevin Watson’s new book, Perfect Love. Don’t miss out on this informative and inspiring presentation of this doctrine that John Wesley called our “Grand Depositum.”
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Note: This event is open to pastors, lay leaders, and ministerial students. Here’s the link to register: https://www.crossroadsdistrict.org/holiness.html
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This is our final invitation for the scholarship opportunities for pastors to participate in either the Groundswell Disciple-Making cohort with Rev. Jon Wiest and in the rural ministry cooperative led by Rev. Steve McVey and the Dirt Roads Network. Please contact our district office staff for more information on the scholarship and to register for these leadership development opportunities.
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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