Weekly Update - October 10, 2022

​This week’s team update is a guest post by Rev. Mark Atkinson, one of our Circuit Riders in the Crossroads District.

CIRCUIT RIDER REPORT

I grew up riding horses and enjoying them. For the Crossroads District this year, I am called a Circuit Rider, how appropriate! My responsibility is to encourage you, the church to love the community to Jesus. God’s Church is a powerful, unstoppable force and there is a GREAT AWAKENING happening in Indiana! Some are calling it a revival!
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• 23% increase in worship attendance
• 23% increase in baptisms (490 baptisms)
• 47% increase in professions of faith (853)
• 15 new Kingdom communities in the past 5 years

God is opening new doors to reach the 3 million more individuals in the Crossroads District to Jesus. God is on the move! Hallelujah for transformed lives and transformed communities!

Churches I have connected with so far:

• Ft. Wayne Level 13
• Delphi
• Greentown
• Wabash New Journey
• Beaver Creek
• New Castle Memorial
• Anderson Restoration

Things I pay attention to:

• Does the church appear neighborhood (outsider) friendly?
• Does the atmosphere of the church, the facilities, and the services feel welcoming to the community?
• Does the pastor set a positive example for the church?
• Does the lay leadership love the community and work to point the community to Jesus?
• Do the ministries connect well with children?
• Does the music connect with the community?

​What I have experienced:

• It particularly thrilled my heart to watch  the Body of Christ celebrate the baptism of new believers. Way to go Wabash New Journey! By the way, your renovations in the children’s ministry area are spectacular! I am praying that your zeal for reaching the lost around you will continue to increase!
• I have experienced being greeted with happy individuals outside the building and “community dinner on the grounds.” Way to go Level 13!
• I have witnessed a church planning to have services the next week off campus with the community. Way to go Delphi!
• I have witnessed a church helping their community by hosting the “Community” Flee market every week in their parking lot due to road and infrastructure work being done. Way to go Greentown!
• I listened as individuals of the church shared how the community utilized their yard for soccer fields. Way to go New Journey!
• I have enjoyed a church celebrating a mortgage burning. It was exciting as they shared many ways that they have reached out to their community over the years. Way to go New Castle Memorial!
• I have enjoyed celebrating with churches that support young people being involved in 4H, Science Fairs, and other great adventures. Way to go Beaver Creek!
• I have watched with a warm heart as churches welcomed newborn infants and celebrated their noises as “sounds of life.”
• I watched and prayed with tears as two individuals prayed with each other on the sidewalk outside the building. Way to go Anderson Restoration!

My granddaughters after Level 13

Anderson Restoration (praying together)

Delphi

New Castle Memorial (Mortgage Burning)

Wabash New Journey

I am enjoying taking the actions of these churches and putting together a practical workshop on Loving Your Community To JESUS!

​Yes, I believe with all my heart that there is a “Great Awakening” happening. It is much more personal than statistics. Hallelujah!

Heavenly Father, please increase our faith as we fan into flame the gifts YOU have given us to love our communities and lead them to Jesus! Please!

Grandpa again! Oh yes, I failed to mention that I became a grandfather again. Theodore Rex Atkinson (T-Rex) has been quite a blessing! 

For each church that was so kind to the grandchildren Ronda and I brought with us, I say, THANK YOU!

May the Lord continue to use you in this great awakening!

Rev. Mark Atkinson
​District Circuit Rider

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Upcoming Luncheon on October 27 with Rev. Zach Szmara - 
Honoring our marginalized neighbors:

Pastors and Ministry Leaders, enjoy a free lunch while discussing with other pastors and lay leaders ways you can serve and bless those who are marginalized in the Heartland and America, including low-income families, workers and immigrants. Discover helpful resources and tools, and celebrate transforming presence stories shared by Immigrant Connection Executive Director Pastor Zach Szmara and Hands of Hope Executive Director Suzy Roth, as well as policy updates provided by National Association of Evangelicals Advocacy Director Steven Eng. The 11:30 am - 1 pm event on October 27 at United Wesleyan Church, 2233 S. Central Way, Anderson, IN, includes time for networking, table conversations, questions, and prayer. Doors open at 11.