Blog

From Pastor Les

Week of March 28-April 1, 2016

We are excited to let you know that we have the details in place regarding the Minister's Retreat! The date is October 26-28, 2016 at Great Wolf Lodge, 4600 Milan Road, Sandusky, OH 44870. We have reserved a venue with a family friendly environment sure to provide opportunities for camaraderie and fellowship with your peers. We are especially grateful and excited to have Dr. Mark Gorveatte, District Superintendent of the Indiana Central District as our guest speaker! He has graciously agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to be with us these three days. As you will see from his bio, he has a vast knowledge and experience in Christian leadership. We hope you will plan on attending this event and take advantage of this time of refreshment and renewal as we continue becoming Greater Together!

BIO

CURRENT

2015- Present - District Superintendent - Fishers, IN

EXPERIENCE

2010-2015 - President - Kingswood University - Sussex, NB, Canada

  • Recruited and led administrators, faculty and staff members
  • Led financial turnaround back from the brink of debt crisis
  • Led strategic focus and successful rebranding of the institution
  • Stabilized severe enrollment decline after forced exit of predecessor
  • Served on succession planning team for Moncton Wesleyan Church (congregation averaging 1800+ in worship)
  • Established Buckingham Leadership Institute with Dr. L.D. Buckingham serving with him in church consultations and coaching lead pastors

2000-2010 - District Superintendent West Michigan District - Grand Rapids, MI

  • Middle judicatory leader (63 congregations and 120 staff members)
  • Directed ministerial credentialing program for 100+ ministerial students
  • Recruited planters and coached teams launching 23 new congregations
  • Coached pastors/boards to achieve record worship attendance and giving
  • Coached lead pastor succession planning process at Kentwood Community Church (2800+) and Spring Lake Wesleyan Church (1200+)

1998-2000 - District Superintendent -Wisconsin District - Madison, WI

  • Served as statewide leader for 30 congregations and 40 staff members
  • Recruited planters and coached teams launching 3 new congregations
  • Coached pastors/boards to achieve record worship attendance and giving

1992-1998 - Lead Pastor - New Hope Church - Williston, ND

  • Led congregation in average attendance from 140 to more than 400
  • Led team in reaching out with 300+ decisions for Christ in 6 years
  • Led capital campaign and campus relocation project
  • Church now averages more than 800 in attendance

1989-1992 - Professional Development Programs Coordinator - University of Alabama-Birmingham - Birmingham, AL

  • Recruited/supervised 30-40 adjunct faculty members each semester
  • Developed and administered noncredit continuing education programs
  • Exceeded top-line and bottom-line goals for this division

EDUCATION

2010 - Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion, IN

Doctor of Theology (honorary)

1989 - University of Alabama-Birmingham - Birmingham, AL

Master of Public Administration degree

1983 - Southern Wesleyan University - Central, SC

Bachelor of Arts degree – psychology

DS Travels

Sunday February 28th we had the privilege of worshipping with the Columbus LaGran Comision Church. This congregation is lead by Pastor Maria Acuna. They moved into their new building two years ago. It was an old run down building. Pastor Maria had a vision and two years later the vision has come to life. Here are some pictures of the Celebration Service. Of course we ended our time together with a Great Mexican Feast.

Sunday March 6th we were with the Grove City Vida Nueva Church. They are lead by Pastor Jessie Lamus. This church has overcome many obstacles this year. The flooding of the facilities. They have put in many hours of hard work and they are moving forward. We had a great time worshipping with this congregation. Afterwards we shared dinner with Pastor Jessie and Jenny and some friends. Here are some pictures.

Sunday March 13th we were with Columbia Station New Life Church where we officially installed Pastor Steve Spaeth. The church recently voted him as their new Senior Pastor. He is not new to the congregation. He has been with the church for 30 years and has served as Assistant Pastor for many years. His daughters made a surprise visit that morning. Here are a few pictures of the celebration.

NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT

Normally, January and February are our worst months for attendance because of weather. But, I wanted to share that in the last eight weeks we've seen the following:

  • Average attendance the past six weeks: 148
  • 8 decisions for Christ from truly un-churched backgrounds
  • 80% of our regular attendees were not here two years ago (culture is changing)
  • 75 adults in small group ministries
  • 10 adults in 1 on 1 Discipleship
  • Youth group: Has grown from a few to regularly in the low 20's.
  • Averaging about 35 kids a week Children's Ministry
  • Hired full time Community Life Pastor

We lose a good percentage of regular attendees when our snowbirds go South to Florida January-March. We will see the attendance rise about 20-30 as they get back in town.

We have aggressively started building relationships with a nearby Mosque and Muslim Leaders to reach them for Christ......over 40,000 in our area. By the way, we are the ONLY church doing this that we're aware of! Pray for wisdom and God's favor.

We will be starting two services this fall as we've reached 80-100% capacity weekly.

Pastor Zach Stamp
Turningpoint West Chester

On Feb 22, Pastor Cloud & Pastor Liddick baptized 22 people which took up most of the service.

Several family groups were baptized that day with a wide range of children, teens and adults.

We had a team of 11 people travel to Nicaragua on March 15-24th to work with Ryan and Sarah Schmitz, missionaries in our District.

Bev Spain reporting for
Mansfield Impact Worship Center

Sunday night, February 28 we hosted a fantastic concert which featured a professional group named "4 One Quartet". It was a great concert and everyone was extremely blessed by the music of this fine group. Here is a picture of the group.

Pastor Steve Bentley
Toledo Douglas Road

Great things are taking place at Crosslink. In recent services the attendance was over 420. We baptized 19 new Believers!

Pastor Dave Bever
Grove City Crosslink

UPCOMING EVENTS

PASTOR'S SPOUSE CONNECTION EVENT, BREAKAWAY - Pastors' Spouses, break away from everyday patterns and busy schedules to intentionally connect with God and each otherat this special event planned just for you. Space is limitedto the first 300 registrants. Cost is $49 and registration ends March 31st.

When:April 15-16, 2016
Where: The Wesleyan Church Headquarters
13300 Olio Road
Fishers, IN 46037
For More information go to: http://www.pastorsspouse.com

MANDATORY DBMD RETREAT - The mandatory District Board of Ministerial Development Retreat is May 6 & 7, 2016 at Camp Marengo, 3480 Township Rd. 221, Marengo, OH 43334. If you are a student in our Ministerial Program or in process of transfer to our District, you are required to be at the retreat. Any questions, please get with your sponsoring pastor, your Co-Hort leader, DBMD Chairman, John Baker, pjbaker@lifescc.net or contact the District Office greaterohiodistrict@gmail.com. Any sponsoring Pastor that would like to attend with their student , are welcome to do so at a minimal charge. There is no cost to students or transfers since the retreat is mandatory.

GENERAL CONFERENCE - June 4-8, 2016. Buffalo/Niagara

Pray for the delegates who will be representing Greater Ohio. They will be making decisions and voting for the future of The Wesleyan Church. We elect a new General Superintendent this year. Change is the word that gets thrown around many conversations. Pray as we discuss and vote for change in The Wesleyan Church.

DISTRICT YOUTH CAMP - June 13-17, 2016 @ IWU The Annual District Youth Camp will be at the IWU campus in Indianapolis, IN again this year. It's open for youth going into 6th grade in the Fall to those who will graduate in the Spring. Churches need to register first at www.ntscamp.com before your youth can sign up. Go to "About", then "New Churches". Once that is done youth can register under your church by going to http://www.ntscamp.com/locations/indiana/. The District will be offering a $35 discount to the first 150 that sign up.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE - July 24th & 25th, 2016 at Marion Dayspring, 2431 Marion Mt. Gilead Rd., Marion, OH 43302 - For the 3rd year in a row, Marion Dayspring Wesleyan Church in Marion, Ohio has graciously opened their doors to sponsor our District Conference. Ordination is Sunday evening July 24th starting at 6:30 pm with registration beginning at 5:30 pm. The Conference Business day will start at 9:30 am with registration beginning at 8:30 am.

KID'S CAMP - JULY 31-AUGUST 4, 2016 at Scioto Hills Christian Camp & Retreat Center. 1009 Martin Rd., Wheelersburg, OH 45694 - Going into Grades 1-7. For information or to get registered visit www.Godkidscamp.org.

DS SCHEDULE

March 30th-April 3 Crown City Revival
April 10th Genoa Dayspring
April 17th Stewart
April 18th Athens Zone Meeting
April 25-28 Exponential - Orlando, FL
May 6-7th DBMD Mandatory Retreat
May 22nd W Logan
June 4-8 General Conference
June 12th Bidwell Morgan Center
July 24-25 District Conference
September 25th Greenville Bethel Long 150th Anniversary
October 26-28th DBMD Pastor's Retreat

Open Churches

Be praying with these churches:
Barberton Calvary
Coolville Whites Chapel
Elyria River Of Life
Genoa Dayspring
Impact Worship Center
Portsmouth Riverview
Toronto
West Carrollton Cornerstone