Warsaw and Wisconsin

​Sherry and I had the privilege of worshiping at Warsaw Wesleyan this Sunday morning with Pastor Jarod and Esther Osborne and their team. Warsaw is another of our district churches that has taken advantage of the UnStuck Group consultation process. In addition to being a gifted leader and communicator, Pastor Jarod is also the author of Jaded Faith (Wesleyan Publishing House). I met with the LBA after the second service to express appreciation for their partnership in the Crossroads District. Sherry and I also enjoyed getting to know the Osborne family (including Michael and Lilly) over lunch.
​
We left Warsaw and drove to the Wisconsin Dells where we’ll be serving with DS Dan & Reenie Bickel (both with roots in the Crossroads District) for the Wisconsin District Ministerial. Sherry and I have great memories of working with the terrific team members in this district. I would welcome your prayers as I present key insights from “Lead Like Wesley” on Monday and Tuesday.

​The week kicked off with our district staff meeting in Upland on Monday before heading to Fishers for the monthly Hispanic Zone meeting. Dr. Norman Wilson led in a Bible study of the first chapter of Romans. We had pastoral team members from each of our 5 congregations and special guests from Columbia and Costa Rica. I love the dream this zone shares to plant at least 20 more Hispanic congregations in the next 10 years.
​

​Tuesday morning I enjoyed connecting with Pastor Tim McClellan and hearing how God is at work at Marion Lakeview Wesleyan. One of the visible signs of progress was new landscaping around the main entrance featuring 3 crosses made and donated by Joe and Wilma Vought, long-time members. I’m grateful for Pastor Tim’s leadership in what has been a challenging situation.
​

​Pastor Jarod Osborne hosted and chaired the Warsaw Zone of Region 1 for lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings in Warsaw on Tuesday. It is always good to be with our pastors as they dialogue about the opportunities for ministry partnership to plant new Kingdom communities.

Tuesday evening, I met with the Advisory Council at Cicero United Family Wesleyan Church as they considered some important decisions they’re making for the future of this ministry. It is inspiring to see the impact that this smaller congregation is making in their community. Pray for God’s direction as they move forward.
​
Wednesday morning, I was in Elwood to meet with a prospective pastor before heading to Indiana Wesleyan University to meet with Frankie Rodriguez and the planning team for Renuevo, the Hispanic Family Camp that will be held at IWU this summer. My last stop of the day was in Carmel for an LBA meeting at Amistad Iglesia Wesleyana. Pastor Neftali Lopez and his team are committed to reaching their community for Christ.

​I was in the classroom at Wesley Seminary again on Thursday to teach the Congregational Leadership class. One of the highlights of this experience is having some of our own district pastors in the course.
​

​Exciting reports are coming in from the Region 2 youth leaders who hosted their all-nighter event with Ross DeMerchant as the keynote speaker. Thank you to Joe Deckard, Jordan DeMerchant, Seth Merrill and the other incredible youth leaders who made this a life-changing evening for our students.
​

​Thank you to each pastor and leader in our Crossroads District Wesleyan churches who invest in the next generation. You are making a difference!

Your servant in Christ,
​
Mark Gorveatte
Crossroads District Superintendent