Tipton Trinity, IWU Next Gen, and Baptisms

Sunday morning, April 6, Tipton Trinity Wesleyan Church welcomed their new lead pastor, Rev. Nicholas Hect. I brought an update from the recent international conference and then led the installation ritual for a new pastor. Rev. Hect brought a message of vision and conviction to anchor the church’s mission on making disciples. Pastor Nicholas, Tifani (his wife), and their four young children have been graciously welcomed by their new congregation As you have opportunity, I hope you’ll do the same.

Sunday evening, I hosted a question-and-answer session with the congregation at Elwood Central Wesleyan Church. Rev. Mark Atkinson was appointed last week to serve as supply pastor for this developing church. Transitions are never easy and this congregation has experienced more than its share since the tragic death of Rev. Ben Capshaw back in August 2021. The church is blessed with a strong core group committed to coming alongside Rev. Atkinson as Central Wesleyan moves forward in making and multiplying disciples.
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Last Monday, I was able to sit in on the IWU chapel service led by Dr. Josh Lavender with Pastor Matthew Trexler as the guest speaker. Josh does a great job leading worship teams and raising up young leaders. On his team that day was Jenna Love, daughter of Rev. Dr. Ed and Emily Love. It is always encouraging to see the next generation stepping up in ministry!
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Dr. Mike Tapper allowed me to sit in on his Christian Theology class. We’re grateful that “Tapp,” as he’s affectionately known, has joined the team at IWU. He has already been a real blessing to our Crossroads District churches through his preaching ministry and drop-in visits. If you’ve not yet had the opportunity to meet Dr. Tapper, he’s always up for a coffee break at Lola’s.
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Monday afternoon, I was in Indianapolis to meet with Rev. Dr. Craig Thurmon, our Crossroads district secretary. It was fun to close out the day over supper with Dr. David Medders, Vice President for the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). Dr. Medders, former president of Kingswood University, has been a friend and colleague since Delta District youth ministry days back in the early 1980s. David was the successor pastor at the church I planted in Mississippi in 1983 and a groomsman in our wedding party in 1984. Friends are a blessing from the Lord!

I was back on the road Tuesday with coaching conversations. Pastor Joseph Park and I met in Lafayette. Rev. Park holds the record in our district for longest consecutive service to one church. He’s in his 51st year leading the congregation at Evergreen Wesleyan Church. Pray with them as they host Rev. Keith Hinton for their spring revival services this week. I dropped in on Pastor Alan Downing (Frankfort Connecting Point) at the shop where he works bi-vocationally in Lafayette. My last scheduled stop of the day was with Dr. Morris Jones (Lebanon Wesleyan Church) and Rev. Andy Riemersma (Westfield ONE Church). Dr. Jones is looking at possibilities for the next generation of ministry in Lebanon. We’re praying about what role the team at ONE Church might have in that vision.
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Wednesday morning, I headed north for a coaching conversation with Rev. Aldean Pablo at Huntington University. Pastor Aldean has found an open door of ministry there at HU with both students and staff. Any given Sunday, up to 1/3 of the attendance at ARISE Church comes from Huntington University.

My afternoon coaching conversation was with Rev. Sam Maddox, pastor of Albion Wesleyan Church. The Christian school that has been leasing what was once the Cornerstone property is dissolving. Pastor Sam and his team are excited to explore the potential for this to become an active community center, much like Pastor Dave Leitzel’s team directs at Hamilton Wesleyan Church.
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Like some of you, the tornadoes of Wednesday night found their way to our neighborhood. Of the four homes closest to us, we sustained the least damage. Water intrusion through our damaged roof had the biggest impact. We’re grateful for the restoration teams and insurance agent who are helping us get things put back together. Thank you to so many who’ve generously reached out to offer assistance. Pastor Kyle Horton (Three Rivers Wesleyan) and I were scheduled to be at Houghton University for recruiting this week but we have rescheduled for a fall visit.
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Rev. Mark Atkinson and I met with the Local Advisory Council (LAC) at Elwood Central on Thursday night. Dr. Joe Harmon and I met in Anderson on Friday morning. With Rev. Atkinson stepping in as supply pastor at Elwood Central, Dr. Harmon has graciously agreed to help us with circuit riding. Pastor Michael Hewitt (Rising Hope Church) and I met with representatives of the Ron Blue Institute over lunch in Muncie on Friday to explore partnership opportunities for financial health initiatives. You’ll be hearing more about this at our district conference.
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Saturday morning, I was able to drop in on Professor Charlie Alcock’s team at IWU as they hosted the 53rd annual Fusion Conference. I’m grateful to Professor Alcock and the team at IWU for hosting this impactful conference for over five decades. If you’ve not already made plans, there is still time to register your middle school students ($25 each) for “Never Too Young” but the deadline is April 19!
https://www.indwes.edu/academics/youth-ministry-events/never2young/

My last coaching conversation of the week was with Rev. Tim Becker (Elwood Main Street Wesleyan Church). Pastor Tim and his team are praying about their search process as they send Rev. Alexander Henry back to serve at Brookhaven Church. Rev. Becker has an identified strength in developing young leaders so he’s looking forward to see who God is already preparing to join their team.
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Rev. Rick Carder agreed to candidate at Lancaster Wesleyan Church and I received good news that the members voted unanimously yesterday to call him as their next pastor. We’re excited for Pastor Rick and Cindy to continue the momentum that the church has experienced under the ministry of Rev. Ron Forsythe. Pastor Ron is moving back to Marion and is available for pulpit supply or open to a part-time pastoral care position.

We love to share the news of lives being changed by the Gospel. Pastor Janiel Caraballo and the team at The Exit Church in Anderson, our newest church, celebrated baptisms last weekend. Thank you for the many churches that have already included The Exit Church in your 1% Multiplication Matching Grant. There’s still time to send that grant before April 30.
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​Yesterday was another exciting baptism Sunday at The River Church with a total of 22 baptisms spread across the three morning services. Pastor Trexler and his team are praising God for 78 baptisms so far in this calendar year.
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Our friends at ​Fairmount Camp have opened registration for the summer youth camps. This year, Fairmount Camp will offer separate camps for middle school students (June 9-13) and high school students (June 16-20). For more information or to register, check out their website:
​https://www.fairmountcamp.org/teen-camp.html

​Our friends at NTS (Never the Same) Camps have released their schedule for 2025 with two camps at IWU in June followed by camps at Houghton University and Southern Wesleyan University in July. You can find their full schedule lineup here: https://ntscamp.com/

Keep on making a difference in the cause that counts for eternity!

Your servant in Christ,

​Mark Gorveatte
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Crossroads District Superintendent
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Save the Date: Crossroads District Ordination and Conference will be at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion on Friday-Saturday, June 27-28.