Welcome to 2017!

Just two weeks until the Mike Hilson “Discipleship and Multiplication” seminar that will be co-sponsored by Wesley Seminary and the Crossroads District on January 13-14. Because of our co-sponsorship we’re able to offer this event at no charge to Wesley Seminary students and Crossroads District team members.
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The seminar will have three sessions. On Friday morning, January 13 from 10 until noon, Pastor Mike Hilson will be presenting a session on making disciples. This is always a vital conversation but it is especially timely as we roll out our denomination’s membership reaffirmation process. On Friday afternoon (from 1:30-4:00), Pastor Mike will be presenting new material from a forthcoming book on Moses’ model of leadership.

Then, on Saturday morning, from 9 until noon, Pastor Mike will present a seminar on “Becoming a Multiplying Church.” Every session will be helpful. The Friday sessions are specifically targeted for pastors. The Saturday morning session is designed for pastors, staff and their leadership teams to share together.

​Many of you know the New Life story (check out this link: New Life Network ), but when Pastor Mike Hilson cast a vision for becoming a multiplying church their congregation was deeply in debt and running less than 100 in worship. Today, this congregation has expanded exponentially ministering to more than 3000 people in multiple venues and church plants. Don’t miss this event!
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I trust you and your family enjoyed a blessed time over the Christmas holiday. Sherry and I had some heart-warming moments with our family. On the eve of Christmas Eve, we worshiped at Waterline Church with Pastor John and Danielle Freed.
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​On Christmas Eve, I worshipped with Rev. Jon Wiest and the team at Trinity Church East Fishers. It was a remarkable experience to be there this year and to reflect on the changes in the past 12 months. There has been remarkable progress since the congregation of Fall Creek Wesleyan Church voted to become a campus under the leadership of Pastor Mike Colaw and Trinity Wesleyan Church.
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​Then, on Christmas morning, I was privileged to worship with Pastor Richard Cole and the congregation at Lapel Daybreak Community Church. This has ben a crazy year of transition with the dramatic water damager that forced the congregation out of their facility for more than half a year. The repairs and remodeling of the facility are nearly completed and with occupancy permitted, the congregation was able to be back in time to celebrate Christmas. I appreciate Pastor Cole’s heart for evangelism and celebrated as one young mother stepped forward to receive Christ as Lord on Christmas Sunday morning!
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​Yesterday morning, Sherry and I worshiped with Pastor Mike Colaw and the team at Indianapolis Trinity Wesleyan Church on Allisonville Road. Pastor Mike is beginning a new sermon series on the book of Acts. Josh Lavender led the worship team and Pastor Cathie Stier-Howie led us in communion to begin the new year.
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​This week I’ll be in Florida. On Tuesday, I will be participating in my mother’s memorial service at Brooksville Wesleyan Church. Wednesday through Friday, I will be with Dr Wayne Schmidt at the District Superintendents’ Institute.

Thank you again for your cards and notes as our family has grieved the loss of my mother. We are comforted by your prayers and the blessed hope we share in the triumphant resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These weeks have been a poignant reminder of the brevity of life and the immediacy of eternity. May we never lose sight of the reality that every person we encounter will spend eternity in one of only two realities, either enjoying the blessing of God’s presence forever or separated from God for eternity. Peoples lives hang in the balance. What we do for Christ matters!

Keep on making the difference in the cause that counts for eternity.
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Your servant in Christ,
Mark Gorveatte