Trinity, ONE Church, and Baptisms!

Sunday morning, August 15, I had the privilege of connecting with Pastor Michael Colaw and the multi-site congregations of Trinity Wesleyan Church in Indianapolis. I joined the team for prayer and then brought greetings in the first of three services.
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Currently, Trinity hosts services at 9:00 and 11:00 on their Allisonville Road campus, and a 10:00 service at their Olio Road campus. Pastor Mike was on the schedule to preach at all three campuses so I enjoyed being his shuttle driver. Attendance has been rebounding and the Olio Road campus had to bring in additional seats this month.
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The youth ministry has been making progress through the summer as evidenced by two more baptisms yesterday of teenagers. Trinity Church continues their vibrant inner city ministry in Garfield Park with their Burmese congregation and the Hispanic congregation is now holding regular 1:00 pm Sunday services at the Allisonville location.
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Pastor Mike and Trinity are also playing a key role as the sending church for Pastor Andy Riemersma and the team who are planting ONE Church in Westfield this year. In addition to leading his growing family, Pastor Mike serves as Assistant DS for Region 2 and is completing his DMin through Wesley Seminary. Pray that God will continue to bless this ministry and the Colaw family!
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Last week included staff meetings, leading the board meeting at Hartford City Wesleyan Church, and more coaching conversations. It was great to connect over coffee with Pastor Steve Colter on Tuesday. I was encouraged to learn more about how God is helping them through this year of transition as they prepare to welcome Rev. Josh Bowlin in January as the incoming senior pastor at Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church.

Wednesday, I was in Fort Wayne to meet with Pastor Kyle Horton (Fort Wayne Three Rivers) and then with Pastor Rick Fletcher and Associate Pastor Andy Jellison (Fort Wayne Lifeway Church). My last stop was with Pastor Aldean Pablo at our newest church in greater Fort Wayne. Attendance has been growing with four new guests on Sunday, one of whom prayed with Pastor Aldean to receive Christ on Sunday. Pray as they continue to build momentum with a new name to be announced this coming Sunday.
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Thursday, I made a quick trip to Indy to check on Rev. Craig Thurmon’s recovery from surgery. It was good to catch up with Pastor Craig and Tiffany for fellowship and a time of prayer for their ministry at The Encounter Assembly. (Craig also serves as District Treasurer)

Friday morning, I was in Fairmount at The Branch to host a debriefing with senior pastors who brought their teams to the GROW Conference. One consistent theme across all the churches represented was that they appreciated the way that Church of the Highlands places the priority on prayer. Three of our Marion area churches (Brookhaven, Lakeview, and The River) are sharing together in the 21 Days of Prayer initiative prompted by Church of the Highlands. Other learnings included the simplicity and intentionality of the ministry systems at Highlands, the high value of small groups for pastoral care (ask about ESPN), and the investment in their Dream Team.
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Friday evening, I was back in Indianapolis to support Pastor Andy and Leanza Riemersma as they held their first public connection opportunity for people interested in learning more about ONE Church. They welcomed 50 people for food and fellowship. Pastor Andy did a great job casting the vision for this new church. Pray that God will continue to grant His favor and open the hearts of people to join the launch team for ONE Church.
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Saturday morning, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with ViceChair Darrell Shepherd and the Local Board of Administration at LifeSpring Church in Richmond. Dr. Steve Bray, their senior pastor, is away for a well-deserved sabbatical. I appreciated connecting with this team in their new LifeSpring South campus and I am looking forward to being with them this weekend to preach at LifeSpring North.
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Two of our lead pastors completed graduate degrees this past week. Rev. Dr. Matthew Stewart (Sweetser Wesleyan Church) successfully defended his dissertation and was awarded the PhD from Columbia International University and Rev. Lee Miller (planting Crossover Church in Muncie) graduated with his MDiv from Wesley Seminary on Saturday. Congratulations on these significant accomplishments!
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Nothing brings us greater joy than celebrating lives being transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! In addition to the two baptisms at Indianapolis Trinity, we are rejoicing with Pastor Lyle Breeding and the team at Bluffton Sonlight as they baptized another young woman this weekend. #MadeNew
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We also praising the Lord with Pastor Scott McDermid and the team at Sheridan Six Points Church as they dedicated four children and baptized two new believers yesterday! #MadeNew
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I’m looking forward to “Old Time Camp” coming up this week at Fairmount Camp with Dr. Bud Bence as the camp evangelist. Services will be held each evening at 6 beginning on Wednesday and concluding on Sunday night. Executive Director Angela Spangler and her team extend a warm welcome to all!
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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