Warsaw Pathway, DBMD, and Baptisms

Sunday morning, October 10, I had the privilege of preaching in the three morning worship services at Pathway Church in Warsaw. Rev. Jarod Osborne and his team are doing a great job regathering the congregation in this challenging season. They have launched a new third service simply called “116” in reference to Romans 1:16. This service makes use of creative video elements and concludes with people gathering in circles across the auditorium to discuss the message and pray for each other. They also celebrated a baptism in this service last weekend. Pray for Pastor Jarod and the Pathway team as they reach out to multiply disciples in Warsaw and beyond!
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It was a blessing again this week to connect one-on-one with pastors for coaching conversations. Pastor Sam Maddox (Albion Wesleyan) and I were able to sit down together on Tuesday morning for our coaching conversation and prayer. Pastor Alan Downing (Frankfort Connecting Point) and I met for our conversation and prayer in Kokomo on Wednesday morning, and then I connected with Pastor Allen Gross (United Family Church) in Cicero on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday evening, I joined in with Pastor Matthew Trexler and more than 200 people for the “First Wednesday” Prayer and Praise service at The River Church in Marion. Several of our district churches have been following up their “21 Days of Prayer” with these monthly gatherings to continue building spiritual momentum for this season of harvest. Last month, I dropped in on Pastor Johnnie Blair and the team at Tipton Trinity who are holding their prayer gathering on the first Saturday morning of each month. It can look different in every church but I’m grateful every time I hear reports of our congregations ramping up their commitment to prayer.
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Thursday morning, Pastor Ryan Budde (Jonesboro Westview Wesleyan) and I met in his office for our coaching conversation. It was also good to walk through the remodeling that they’ve been doing in their facility. Later that morning, I was able to attend the family visitation and extend our sympathies to Mrs. Cheryl and Rev. Doug Sharrard before the funeral for her mother.
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Rev. Chris Williams, Chair, and Rev. Carla Working, Vice Chair and Secretary, did a great job in leading the district-wide DBMD this week in interviewing eleven pre-ordination candidates at College Wesleyan Church. Our meetings began at 5 pm on Thursday and continued on through Saturday noon. We have another seven candidates who may be ready for their pre-ordination interviews in January. The District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD) may be the most important team in our district as they help prepare the next generation for a lifetime of leadership in our denomination. Thank you to every DBMD member, from the zone to the region to the district, who prayerfully and generously invests in our ministerial students.
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Thank you for to every pastor in our district who faithfully preaches the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and invites people to become His disciples! We are rejoicing with with Pastor Jeff Luedtke and the team at Fairmount Wesleyan Church as they celebrated 2 baptisms last Sunday.
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We are also rejoicing with Pastor Eric George and the team at Muncie Memorial Drive as they baptized three new believers this Sunday. Praise the Lord for these lives being #MadeNew!
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Information was sent earlier by email to the lay leaders in each church. Here’s the link for some excellent resources to help you make this a special opportunity for your congregation to bless your pastoral staff members:
​https://resources.wesleyan.org/pam

There is still time to register for the Retired Pastors and Spouses Fellowship on Friday, November 12, at College Wesleyan Church in Marion. You may register by emailing: office@crossroadsdistrict.org or by leaving a voicemail message at our office: 765-674-8593
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Plan to join us for The Heartland Gathering on March 22-24, 2022 in Pigeon Forge, TN. Each church received a scholarship for one pastoral couple to register that can also be applied toward the THRIVE initiative. We’re excited for this opportunity for our pastoral families to rest and renew together. For the speaker lineup and more detailed information, please visit:
​https://gathering.heartlandregion.org
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​Thank you for partnering together in the Harvest for the 3 million people yet to be reached in Indiana!

Your servant in Christ,
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Mark Gorveatte

Crossroads District Superintendent