Sherry and I had the privilege of making our way to Fort Wayne this morning to join Pastor Kyle & Nadine Horton and their team at Three Rivers Wesleyan Church. The roads were a bit icy but it was worth it to worship with them and then to spend time over lunch meeting with their Local Board of Administration. Pastor Kyle is completing his initial four-year call and the LBA unanimously affirmed his leadership and recommended another four-year call. This Sunday was a day of celebration across our district. Dr. David Anderson and the Fountain City Wesleyan Church celebrated being debt free 17 years ahead of schedule and burned their $4 million mortgage with Dr. Craig Dunn representing WIF, their funding partner. This is a tremendous accomplishment that speaks so well to Pastor David’s leadership and the generosity of the Fountain City congregation in response to God’s provision as they reach out to impact the world for Christ! Noblesville Waterline Church celebrated their 7th anniversary on Sunday and announced their vision to help plant 5 more congregations in the next 2 years. Congratulations to Pastor John and Danielle Freed and their team for this important milestone and for their exciting vision for a future filled with multiplication. Last week, I was at Southern Wesleyan University on Monday through Wednesday, preaching in chapel and guest lecturing in class with Professor Mark Wilson (who will be with us on April 21 for ReEquip). It is always encouraging to connect with Pastor Mark! Dr. Todd Voss is doing a great job as President at SWU, my alma mater, and I enjoyed interacting with a wonderful group of students who wanted to learn more about church planting in the Crossroads District. It is also exciting to see the progress as Dr. Mike Tapper has stepped in to lead their Christian Ministries Department. I was back on the road in Indiana on Thursday for a meeting at HQ with Dr. Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent, and lunch in Fishers with Rev. Wayne Richards (Habitat for Missions). I closed out the day in Crawfordsville with Rev. Keith Jones and the fine folks at Sonlight Wesleyan Church. Friday included a meeting with a prospective supply pastor and then touring Huntington with a couple who are praying about the possibility of following Pastor Tom Bradley at Etna Avenue Wesleyan Church. Sherry and I are always grateful for the opportunity to host our lead pastors and their spouses for zone fellowships at Thornapple Lodge. This past Friday evening we were joined by Pastor Mark Atkinson’s team (Region 1 South Zone 2) for a delightful evening of laughter, singing, and prayer. We have an incredible team of pastors here in the Crossroads District! On Saturday, I attended the memorial service for Rev. Howard Barefoot at the Lebanon Wesleyan Church. Rev. Ernest Batman brought a heartfelt sermon and members of the family contributed memories and readings. Pastor Barefoot leaves an incredible legacy of faith in his family and from his ministry. Please continue to remember Mrs. Dorothy Barefoot in your prayers. Saturday afternoon, I was at Southview Wesleyan Church in Indianapolis to meet with Pastor Rick Matthews for our annual coaching conversation and then to meet with the Local Board of Administration as they unanimously affirmed his extended call. Pastor Matthew Trexler and The River Church joined with dozens of churches across America and the Tim Tebow Foundation this week to provide “Night To Shine,” a wonderful evening for special needs adults. The IWU women’s basketball team and IWU Chaplain Dr. John Bray got in on the excitement this year. I love receiving baptism reports from across our district team! Last weekend, Pastor Jim Weinmann and the Evanston Avenue Wesleyan Church in Indianapolis celebrated two baptisms after the service had already concluded! Pastor Ben Thomas and the Nehemiah Church in Avon celebrated the baptisms of two young men this weekend. There is nothing more exciting than celebrating with Heaven as people find new life in Christ! Don’t miss these coming events! The Crossroads District Youth All-Nighter will be held in Fort Wayne on February 23. The leaders of our student ministries do a great job of pulling together this event which welcomed more than 500 students last year! Mark your calendars and bring your team to ReEquip 2018 in Marion on Saturday, April 21. There are multiple events happening from 9-3 so bring your staff and volunteer leaders to this affordable learning experience: http://www.reequipconference.org/ We have an amazing privilege of serving together in the only cause that counts for eternity! Let’s keep reaching for one more! Your servant in Christ, Mark Gorveatte Crossroads District Superintendent
Cindy Helvie
2/14/2018 04:31:29 am
I so love reading these reports from Nepal, it is encouraging to hear what God is doing in Crossroads!! Comments are closed.
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