Tipton Trinity, Celebrations, and Baptisms!

Sunday morning, September 3, I joined the team at Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church as they welcomed Pastor Johnnie Blair home from his sabbatical. The auditorium and parking lot were filled to capacity and the congregation welcomed Rev. Blair home with a standing ovation.
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It is always good to be at Trinity to catch up with friends like Maxine Robinson, Bev Hudson (former DBA member), Michael Wood (Woody) who is also a member of the Trinity staff, and Mr. Ken Ehman who was elected as a member of our Crossroads District Board of Administration this summer.

I made it over to The River Church in Marion in time to hear my friend Dr. John Ott preach in their third service. Pastor John played a key role in Pastor Matthew Trexler’s life beginning as a mentor while serving together at Roanoke Parkway Church. When Pastor Trexler stepped out to plant The River Church, Dr. Ott and the team at Parkway Church invested financially to make the dream a reality. Pastor John continues to be a mentor and prayer partner to this day. It was inspiring to see this well-deserved honor and appreciation extended to Dr. Ott.

Last week was a mix of emotions. We were saddened to receive word on Tuesday that Rev. Logan Westrick, former pastor at Ash Street Wesleyan in Tipton, had passed away. His funeral service was held in Ohio on Saturday. Our condolences and prayers are extended to Mrs. Nancy Westrick, his widow, and the family he loved so well.

Friday evening, I joined the family and friends of Rev. Richard Cole who gathered to celebrate his 70th birthday. Though semi-retired, Rev. Cole continues to serve actively at Daybreak Community Church in Lapel, the congregation that he and Debbie planted 25 years ago.

Saturday afternoon, I joined the family and friends to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. Duane Summitt at Fishersburg Wesleyan Church. Pastor Duane and Cindy are pictured here with some of their grandchildren.
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The Wesleyan Church is celebrating PreacHer Sunday this month. Pastor Aldean Pablo may have the record for bringing his guest speaker the farthest. Rev. Alfel Pablo, Aldean’s mother, was visiting from the Philippines and preached at ARISE Church in Roanoke on Sunday.
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The best celebration in the life of the church are baptisms when people publicly profess their trust in Christ! Pastor Gawin Anderson and the team at Divine Direction in Indianapolis celebrated two baptisms this past Sunday. Praise the Lord!
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Monte de Sion Iglesia Wesleyana celebrated six baptisms at their church picnic last weekend. Special thanks to Rev. Grace Lopez for providing leadership as the supply pastor this summer.
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Rev. Terry and Lennaire Vaughn have been leading The Bridge Urban Church in monthly neighborhood outreach events called “Bless the Bloc” in their new location in Mishawaka. This past weekend they celebrated four baptisms! Praise God for lives being #MadeNew!
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This is the weekend for the Married Couples’ Retreat at Fairmount Camp, September 7-10. You may register at this website:
​https://fairmountcamp.breezechms.com/form/26a0334395555415
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Please keep the Follow Conference on your church’s prayer calendar. Pray for a powerful move of God among our next generation students and their leaders. You will want to attend and bring as many teenagers as possible for this life-changing experience!​
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Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!
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​Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte

​Crossroads District Superintendent