Wisconsin District

Team Update January 2009

2009-01-13T07:08:00.001-08:00

Hello again from Wisconsin! Here is a synopsis from the month of November and December.

November

We had a great visit at the Burr and Valley churches. Pastor Alan and Irene Tripp have led these two congregations faithfully and well. One thing I really appreciate about Pastor Tripp is, when he prays, he prays specifically and regularly for Nicaragua and church planting along with the local church and personal needs. Alan and Irene will be traveling again to Nicaragua to help train pastors and leaders – something they have done every year except one since we began our partnership.

Casa de Dios celebrated their 4^th anniversary as a church. They did a wonderful job hosting the other two Hispanic pastors and their people for the service. It was a wonderful evening with great music, great food and special awards given to some of the charter members of this new congregation. Pastor Daniel and Faramis Munoz continue to give strong and faithful leadership to this congregation in Milwaukee. Framaris will also be traveling to Nicaragua this year to help teach the ladies.

Ladies’ Retreat, which happens every other year, was a wonderful experience for hundreds of women from across Wisconsin. Reenie and her leadership team did a great job planning and leading the two-day event. It was an unforgettable and life-changing retreat. Joanna Weaver did an outstanding job and the break-outs, skits and worship were huge plusses to the event.

We were privileged to be with Our Savior’s on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It is always a delight to be with the Krupps and the congregation. Our Savior is transitioning this year. Assistant pastor Stevan Sheets felt led to resign and take a staff position in Western Pennsylvania this fall. Pastor Karen Scheel continues to serve in leadership on staff there, picking up a number of responsibilities for counseling, pastoral care, women’s ministry and leadership development.

The last Sunday of Janesville we dropped in on Pastor Paul and the congregation. Pastor Wilczek is giving good leadership to the congregation, who are facing tough economic news with the closing of the GM Janesville plant. The pastor and congregation are still encouraged and working toward change to meet the present and future with faith.

December

I had the privilege of being with the Lakeshore congregation in Madison the first part of December. Pastor David Treloar and the congregation are moving to a new location on the south central part of Madison, where they’ve entered into a lease agreement to have their own facilities. This is a huge boost of encouragement because they are paying the same amount, have access to the facility 24/7 and no longer have to do the set up/tear down work as they have for most of the past several years. It was a delight to be with the congregation and speak an Advent message of encouragement and hope to them.

Beulah was the last annual visit in the month of December. Pastor Dennis Jones and the congregation are also encouraged with the work there in the Richland Center area. Again, it was a joy to be able to share an Advent message with them. I had a wonderful lunch with Dennis and Sela and caught up with their hearts and ministry.

News and Notes

I met with the Nicaragua Partnership and Richard Concklin and the team continue to do a fantastic job monitoring and overseeing this vital partnership with our brothers and sisters in Central America. Please pray for the pastor’s training team as they spend the week of January 11-19 in the country. Team members include Alan and Irene Tripp, Matt Ohime, Framaris Munoz, Dan Bickel and Cindy Terry (translator). Pray that the pastors and leaders will learn and be encouraged during this week. Also, begin praying for the construction and medical teams as they prepare for the trip in February. The construction crew will be helping to complete a two-story church in Managua.

The youth leadership team met this past fall and laid the ground work for the Middle School and High School camps. The High school camp will be the last week of June and the Middle school camp is moving to the second week of August. Pray for Chopper Brown and his leaders as they plan for this summer.

We would also ask you to pray for and remember our Pastors and spouses as they come together the last of January. Dr. Jim Lo, Dean of the Chapel (Spiritual Formation Director) at IWU will be speaking.

Special Note

Nicaragua Pastor’s scholarships – This year again we are asking for individuals and churches to sponsor a pastor to attend and participate in our annual training event in Nicaragua. It cost about $300 per pastor for a week-long retreat/training event. The money covers their travel, food, lodging, books and a small annual cash gift to bless them and their ministries. Some churches have placed this in their budgets. Some take up special offerings. Some generously give it out of their missions or general funds. However you do it, we appreciate your gifts. We need 15-20 scholarships each year. Please send your contributions to the Nicaraguan treasurer, Irene Tripp. Her mailing address is: E 15912 St. Hwy. 33, P.O. Box 388, Hillsboro, WI 54634.

Dates for your Information

January

11-13 DS Institute

12-19 Nicaragua Pastor’s Training Trip

25 Drop in visit

25-27 The Getaway (Pastors and spouses retreat)

31 Eau Claire Board

February

1 Spooner visit

8 West Allis visit and Board

11-19 Nicaragua Medical and Construction trip

15 Eau Claire visit

22 Darrow Rd. visit

25-26 IWU/Asbury visit

Leading a great team.

Your servant,

Dan Bickel

Wisconsin District Superintendent

Wisconsin Team Update 7-17-08

2008-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Baker Street
Sunday, June 22 was a good day at Baker Street Community Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Pastor Milt and his wife, Kaye, work together as a team to serve this local church and community. Milt has given good leadership to this congregation since taking the reins. They purchased a new property on a main road and have been gradually upgrading the property to make it more attractive and more useful for their ministry. Since January, the church has gone to two services, a legacy service and a celebration praise service. I had the privilege of preaching in both of them. In the first service one gentleman led the music and in the second service there was an eight member worship team and band that led. In addition to Lonnie Selje and Andrea Tweedie who oversee the administration and children’s ministry, there are two other volunteer ministry leaders – Noel Hubler and Al Wagner. Al is a retired minister who just moved back to Wisconsin and Noel, Lonnie and Andrea are in the preparation process for ministry. Even though the church hit a couple of speed bumps this year that slowed them down, they are excited about the future and continue to have a vision to reach people for Christ, minister to people in need and expand the kingdom through church multiplication.

Welcome Back Mike & Amy!
Mike and Amy Knox have arrived back in the states from Nicaragua. Mike attended the district conference, giving greetings and a brief update on Nicaragua. We are excited to have them back and look forward to their visits to the Wisconsin churches throughout this next year. Please pray for them as they re-acclimate to the US, travel this year, and find times of spiritual and physical refreshment.

District Conference
We had a great District Conference. Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, who was elected in June as the first female General Superintendent in the Wesleyan Church presided over the District Conference and preached the Ordination Service. I continually thank God for the truly great team we have here in Wisconsin, and am looking forward to a wonderful year as we focus on our vision of healthy leaders, healthy churches, new churches in Wisconsin, and new churches in the world.

Hales Corner
Don Towle, pastor of the Hales Corners Wesleyan church in the Milwaukee area, has given his resignation. He and Andrea have been there for five years, giving, sacrificing and serving to try and refocus the church. They have returned to California, where they have children and grandchildren. Please pray for them and the people of Hales Corners Wesleyan during this difficult time for them. Next month, five people from the church are going on their first missions’ trip. They are a part of the summer team traveling to Honduras.

Thank you for your continued prayers for
• Transformation City and Jason Butler as they prepare for their fall launch
• Woodland and Pastor Mary Coolidge in their transition
• Sand Lake and Northern Lakes in their search for a pastor
• Eastman and Pastor Fred Whyte in their transition
• Hales Corners and Pastor Don Towle in their transition
• Baraboo Jubilee and Pastor Josh Hilty in their transition
• Honduras Youth Missions Trip, July 14-21

Leading a great team. Your servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent.

Team Wisconsin Update 6-20-08

2008-06-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Janesville

Last Sunday I had the privilege of being with the Janesville congregation to install and welcome Pastor Paul Wilczek and his family. They arrived about three weeks ago from Western New York and are excited to start leading in Janesville. Paul and Tammy have three children living at home with them. They are returning to New York this week for their daughter’s dance recital and to work on the sale of their home. Richard and Jan Concklin have been serving as an interim pastor there since the past left last fall. The congregation had an appreciation dinner last month for them and presented them with a beautiful album full of pictures, letters and memories of their time there. I have high appreciation and regard for Richard and Jan for their willingness to love and serve congregations in times of transition. Welcome, Paul and Tammy.

Activities and Events

This past week I’ve met with two other boards who are in transition. We would appreciate your prayers as they begin working through the transitional issues as leaders.

I also had the privilege of spending Monday with Pastors Juan Morillo and Jorge Valle, along with their sons, as we traveled north to the middle school camp and to meet with Enrique Montenegro in Hayward. It was a great opportunity to get to know Pastor Jorge, who is wanting to affiliate with the Wesleyan church. Pastor Juan’s two sons, Zee and Daniel, attended the middle school camp this week – their first one in the United States for them. Monday evening we were hosted by the Hayward Wesleyan church for a fiesta and a service. David and the worship band led the music and Enrique shared a little about the country and the work there in Nicaragua. It was a good connection for he and the pastors from Milwaukee. Also, on our way up north we made a quick stop and met with Pastor Todd and the leader of the Hispanic work being done in Rice Lake out of the Red Cedar church. The Red Cedar church has fixed up a house behind the church to be used for Bible studies and English as a second language classes.

Also, on Saturday, Reenie and I spend the day in Milwaukee in meetings with pastors. We met with Pastor Jason and Alya Butler from the Transformation City church, along with their new intern from Bethany and the new couple that has moved to Milwaukee to work along side of the Butlers to help plant the new church. They now have 25-30 people meeting regularly with them and they are gearing up for their ‘official’ launch this fall. Tim and Sommer Nelson have felt led for almost a year to come to Milwaukee to be part of the leadership. Tim is a graduate of Fuller and Sommer is an attorney. We also met with Pastor Don and Andrea Towle that afternoon.

Prayer

Please pray for the District Conference this week – Thursday and Friday.

Please pray for the Woodland church and Mary Coolidge. Due to health issues, she is stepping out of ministry for a while.

Please pray for Eastman as they begin the search for a new pastor after the retirement of Fred Whyte.

Please continue to pray for Sand Lake and Northern Lakes as they continue their search for a pastor.

Please pray for Chopper Brown and the staff as they prepare for the Senior High Camp that starts Sunday, June 29.

Calendar

June 22 Baker St.

June 25 DBA

June 26-7 Dist. Conference

June 29-July 4 High School Camp, Riverside Camp

July 7-14 Youth Nicaragua Trip

July 13 Westbrooke Visit

Casa de Restauracion Launch Sunday, 3 PM

July 14-21 Youth Honduras Trip

Dan Bickel

Wisconsin District Superintendent

2008-06-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Our Saviors
Last Sunday I spent a good part of the day with Pastor Gerry Krupp and the congregation at Our Saviors. They have two services, but will combine them during the summer. Wenda Krupp is their worship leader, but, due to illness, Pastor Gerry and the team stepped in and did a good job leading the music. Neal Moss shared some words of appreciation about the pastors and Pastor Stevan and Pastor Gerry both received a check to express gratitude and appreciation from the congregation for their leadership. For dinner I had the opportunity to share a meal with Gerry and his newest staff person, Karen Scheel and her husband Dan. Karen has come on staff to do pastoral care and counseling as well as giving leadership to other areas, including the women’s ministry. Dan is a business man who also is the president of a missions organization that helps provide training to pastors and leaders in India.

Kevin O’Connor

Kevin and Carol O’Connor will be leaving for Asheville, NC after Father’s Day Sunday, June 15th. Kevin has felt directed to move there to start a new congregation. He and Carol have done a wonderful job these last 6 years to carve out a new beachhead for the kingdom in Cumberland, WI. Northern Lakes was a daughter church from Rice Lake Red Cedar, who supplied them with one of their worship teams as the group to help start the ministry. We wish Kevin and Carol the very best in their ministry as they follow the dream God has given them.

Fred Whyte

As many of you know, Fred Whyte, pastor at Eastman, had a heart attack several weeks ago. He is recovering very well, but will be retiring from full-time ministry, beginning this summer. Fred and Sandy have been at Eastman for three years and have served this congregation faithfully. Pray for them as they begin the transition to a new home and a new chapter in their lives. Also pray for the Eastman congregation as they begin a pastoral search.

Please Pray For

· Churches in transition – Sand Lake, Northern Lakes, and Eastman.

· General Conference—June 6-11. The church delegates and leaders will gather to choose leaders and make future-impacting decisions for the church at large.

· Kids Camp, which will be held next week. Pray for Jeremy Mavis, his staff and all the children that it will be a life-changing week.

· Middle School and High School Camps taking place later this month.

· District Conference—June 26-27. Pray that God will be present to encourage and inspire us to fulfill the vision He has given us to grow and expand the kingdom.

Calendar

June
7-11 General Conference
9-13 North & South Kids Camps
15 Janesville—Paul Wilczek Installation
15-20 Middle School Camp
22 Baker Street Annual Visit
26-27 District Conference
29—July 4 Senior High Camp

July
7-14 Nicaragua Youth Missions Trip
14-21 Honduras Youth Missions Trip

2008-06-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

Williston
Yes, the town is in another district and another state – North Dakota – at least 14 hours away, but that is where we were last Sunday. We traveled there to continue building a relationship with a potential future IWU alumnus – our grandson, Jackson. Before celebrating his first birthday party, we worked on and completed several projects around the home and enjoyed spending time with our son Brent, his wife, Laura and, of course, Jackson. We enjoyed attending church at New Hope where Brent is the Family Life pastor.

Church Planting
The last day and a half was spent with the General Director of Evangelism and Church Growth, Phil Stevenson, and a specially appointed committee to work on strategic planning for planting churches in our district. Craig Cooper, our district E & CG Director, worked to set up this very productive meeting. I so appreciate his leadership in this area. We rejoiced over the new congregations the Lord has helped us to establish and the ones that are in the process right now. Part of our dream continues to be to plant at least 20 new churches by 2020.

I recently met with Juan and Daniel where they introduced me to another potential church planting pastor from El Salvador, who has moved to Wisconsin. Please continue to pray for our Spanish-speaking church plants.

Thank you for your continuing financial support and prayers for expanding the kingdom through new congregations.

Welcome
Paul Wilczek—Paul and his family recently arrived in Janesville where Paul will be pasturing the church.
Tim Nelson—Tim and his wife have moved to Milwaukee to work with Jason and Alya Butler in the planting of Transformation City.

We welcome you to the Wisconsin District!

Nicaragua
We have some sad news from Nicaragua. Pastor Reina of the Rosa de Saron (Rose of Sharon) church in Los Laureles, lost her husband, Cesar Gaitan, to a stroke. Cesar provided for his family through farming and, in addition to their grieving his loss, this will be a blow to the family financially. They have a daughter, son and 16-month old granddaughter. Please pray for Pastor Reina, her family and the church.

Also, continue to remember Mike and Amy Knox as they and their three children prepare to leave Nicaragua and return to Wisconsin for this year. They will be back in the states next month.

New Baby
We can all celebrate with Ben and Ingrid Kidder, pastor of The River Church in Minong. They have a baby boy, Blaise Barnabas Kidder, born last Wednesday. He entered the world at a whopping 10# 11 oz. and extended the tape measure to 22 inches. Congratulations to Ben and Ingrid. That made for quite a memorable memorial day weekend.

Prayer
Please continue to remember the special events coming in June – General Conference, District Conference, and our children, middle school and high school camps.

Calendar

June
1 Our Savior’s Annual Visit
7-11 General Conference
9-13 North & South Kids Camps
15 Janesville—Paul Wilczek Installation
15-20 Middle School Camp
22 Baker Street Annual Visit
26 Westbrooke Annual Visit
26 Casa de Restauracion Visit
26-27 District Conference
29—July 4 Senior High Camp

July
7-14 Nicaragua Youth Missions Trip
14-21 Honduras Youth Missions Trip

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 5-14-08

2008-05-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lakeshore

It was a wonderful Mother’s Day as I had the privilege of dropping in at the home church to worship with Pastor David Treloar and the Lakeshore church family. Pastor David preached a good message, as he always does. He is in a series on the Home entitled “Housework.” This week was on the Office; he spoke on finances, giving some good Biblical foundation and sharing John Wesley’s three principles on money – “Earn all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can.” I also had the opportunity to hear Jeff Lennberg for the first time leading worship at Lakeshore. Jeff and his family have felt led to begin ministry preparation with the Wesleyan church and to begin worshipping and working with Lakeshore. He does a good job and it was a delight to visit with he and his family.

A special treat for us was to have our son and his family here. Brent, Laura and Jackson stopped in on their way to Indiana where Brent is taking his last master’s class at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Congratulations to Pastor Russell and Margaret Wooten! They have welcomed their 18th grandchild, Judah Reagan Clipner, into the world this past week. Mom and Dad (their daughter and son-in-law Kenny & Michelle), and all five brothers and sisters are doing great. Grandma and Grandpa Wooten are pretty excited, too.

Nica News

The Knoxes and Eckhardts had a special time of retreat in Matagalpa recently. The Knox family will be returning to the United States next month for a year of travel and connecting with churches and supporters.

The work team from Sheridan, WY was a huge blessing to the construction project at Mount Horeb. The project is about 50% complete. Mount Horeb is the location of one of three schools we have in Nicaragua and there is a church there as well. Three people from the Mount Horeb church were baptized last weekend

The newly planted church at Matagalpa in northern Nicaragua has been given the use of a house to hold services. This is a huge praise because the rainy season starts soon and they have been meeting on top of a ridge in the great outdoors. There were over 80 people there in attendance last week.

Please pray for:

Sand Lake and Northern Lakes Churches in the pastoral search process.

General Conference and District Conference in June.

The summer camps (two Children’s, Middle School and Senior High).

Mary Coolidge, who remains in the hospital in Superior.

Debbie Hoover, Projects Director of World Hope, and wife of Chesapeake Dist. Supt.

Stan Hoover (and also Dan and Reenie’s sister-in-law) who will be having surgery on Friday.

Shelley Berry, wife of South Coastal Dist. Supt. Dan Berry as she continues to recover from the serious automobile accident. You can read of her progress and specific requests at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danshelleyberry.

Calendar

May
14 Nicaraguan Partnership Committee
17 DBMD Meeting
18 Woodland Visit
19-25 Vacation
28 Church Planting Strategic Planning

Summer Camps & Conferences

June
7-11 General Conference
9-13 North & South Kids Camps
15-20 Middle School Camp 26-27 District Conference
29—July 4 Senior High Camp

2008-05-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

Eastman is a small town in the southwestern part of Wisconsin. The beautiful brick church sits along the main drag and is one of three churches in the town. I had the privilege of speaking on Sunday, then sharing a meal with the congregation and meeting with their LBA. Pastor Fred and Sandy were called there three years ago and have worked faithfully and hard to build the congregation. The congregation is unique in that almost all of the church is made up of those in the farming industry and almost all families home school their children. They have an active children’s, youth and young adult ministry that meets weekly. It was good to catch up with Fred and see that he is recovering very well from the heart attack he had just a short time ago. He reports that there appears to be minimal damage and he expects an almost full recovery in a few weeks. That is a remarkable thing, considering his heart stopped and he almost died twice. Thank the Lord for His touch and grace on Pastor Fred.

Year End Deadlines!

· May 10 (postmark) USF payments for the past fiscal year.

· May 15 all Annual Service Reports.

· May 31 all other reports (statistical, delegates, leaders, etc.)

Promptness in reporting is not only required; it is greatly appreciated.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

· Pastor Mary Coolidge who was rushed to the hospital to stabilize her because of problems with her medication

· Pastor Fred Whyte as he continues to heal from the heart attack.

· Northern Lakes Church and Sand Lake Church in the continuing search for a pastor.

· The upcoming General Conference in June.

· Our annual District Conference.

· Our children’s camps, middle school camp, and high school camp coming in June.

Calendar

May 11 Drop-in Visit (Mother’s Day)
14 Nicaraguan Partnership Committee
17 DBMD Meeting
18 Woodland Visit
19-25 Vacation
28 Church Planting Strategic Planning

Summer Camps and Conferences

June 7-11 General Conference
9-13 North & South Kids Camps
15-20 Middle School Camp
26-27 District Conference
29—July 4 Senior High Camp

Team Wisconsin Update 5-2-08

2008-05-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks we connected with West Allis in southern Wisconsin & Stone Lake in northern Wisconsin.

West Allis
West Allis has combined their two services and blended the elements and style into one. Pastor Peter and Peggy have been at West Allis for 19 years now, having raised their two children there, and helping to raise foster children in recent years. While Peter pastors the church, Peggy works in a local school system as a physical therapist. A number of people have been called into vocational ministry under their leadership.

Stone Lake
Stone Lake continues to be led by supply pastor Don Berry, now in his 9th year there. Don and Bea Berry, who live in Rice Lake, have led the congregation in beginning a Monday evening kids’ ministry and completing a beautiful education/fellowship addition to the original church. They just recently took in 13 members with a few more to be added soon. I had the privilege of meeting with the leadership team there and talking about their vision for the future.

Spiritual Formation
Heath Davis, our adult spiritual formation director, along with Jeremy and Chopper, have a blogspot and I would encourage you to check it out regularly at www.wispiritualformation.blogspot.com. Heath is the main writer/contributor and I’m sure you’ll find his thoughts interesting and encouraging. There are also several links to information and resources that can be helpful in your work to help grow and mature the Christ-followers in your care.

Congratulations to the Tripps
Pastor Alan Tripp writes, “Just want you to know that we have another blessing in our family. Sarah Beth made her debut on April 27th weighing in at 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 inches long. She arrived by c-section, but mom and baby are doing good. Ruth is enthralled with her little sister and will be more help than mom needs. It would help if Ruth understood what the term "gentle" means.” Sarah Beth is Alan and Irene Tripp’s granddaughter, the daughter of their son Steven and his wife Tori. Steven has just recently become a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University.

District Board of Administration
The DBA met a couple of weeks ago and dealt mainly with missional issues such as developing churches, church planting and how to provide the financial support for a missional vision. As we prepare for our annual conference, we are praying and planning for a wonderful time together.

Camps and Conferences
Also, as we begin the required reporting process for the past year of ministry, and continue to look to the future, please pray for the camps and conferences:

General Conference June 7-11
North and South Kids camps June 9-13
Middle School camp June 15-20
District Conference June 26-27
Senior High camp June 29-July 4

District Calendar

May

4 Eastman Visit & LBA
6 Nominating Committee Meeting
11 Drop-in Visit (Mother’s Day)
14 Nicaraguan Partnership Committee
17 DBMD Meeting
18 Woodland Visit
19-25 Vacation
28 Church Planting Strategic Planning

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 4-16-08

2008-04-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Valton

It took me three years to find Valton without making a phone call ahead of time. This small town in southwestern Wisconsin, under the good leadership of Pastor Terry Woirol, continues to grow and make an impact on their community. I had the privilege of speaking in their worship service last Sunday. The sanctuary was nearly packed and it was a good time of worship with the congregation. Valton continues to oversee a significant ministry to help those in need in their community. They are very active in missions. This year they will give 10% of the church’s income to church planting in the district! Every month they have an ecumenical men’s breakfast with several churches in the area. The church has expanded and upgraded their facilities several times to create more ministry space. They are just beginning to talk about where to add or build larger worship space. Pastor Terry and Lori have been there for 14 years. They have three children – one married, one engaged and one in high school. And, they are proud grandparents, too. In the afternoon I met with the Valton LBA and had a dialogue time with Pastor Terry.

Mt. Pisgah

I met with the Mt. Pisgah LBA Sunday evening and caught up on their exciting news. Mt. Pisgah hit over 200 last Sunday with their new Saturday evening and their Sunday morning service.

End of Year Reports & Plans for New District Year

Earlier in the week I spent several hours with our wonderful district treasurer, Vernon Woods, to go over that fun stuff called “budget”. Sharon, his wife, was a wonderful hostess, as always, and fed me well! We have a wonderful and committed district treasurer, who sacrificially gives a lot of time to serve our district.

It’s hard to believe we are coming to the close of another conference year and all of the wonderful things that come along with it – like year-end reports. Pastors, district leaders and delegates will soon be receiving information about the district conference, ordination, and reports deadlines.

Prayer

Continue to remember Sand Lake and Northern Lakes in the pastoral search process.

Pray for Gary Maness, interim pastor at Sand Lake. His father is very ill and he has flown to St. Louis to be with him.

Continue to pray for Erma Clarke, who lost her husband, John, recently.

Calendar

April

19 DBA

20 West Allis Visit

25-26 Minnesota Men’s Retreat

27 Stone Lake Visit, LBA

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 4-9-08

2008-04-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

Spooner & The River
Last weekend I had the privilege of dropping in on two northern churches – Spooner and The River. Pastor Ron and Pastor Chopper are giving good leadership to the Spooner Church that continues to make an impact on their community. The church continues to be a leading supporter of Mike and Amy Knox and missions. They are also a leading supporter of the new River Church in Minong, with several of their families becoming a part of this new church.

The River Church officially kicked off a year ago at Easter and they are continuing to grow by touching people throughout the county. Since starting they have gone to two services and are planning on purchasing the building they have been meeting in, with plans to upgrade and expand over the next several months. Pastor Ben is giving good leadership. Ben and Ingrid’s new baby is due in about a month..

LBA Meetings

Over the weekend I also met with three boards. Pastor Dwayne and the Eau Claire Church continues to experience growing pains in their facility and are wrestling with decisions about future expansion and the possibility of church planting. At Rice Lake High Point, I met with Pastor Channing and the leadership team to discuss their present situation and ministry future. They are in their second year of refocusing on developing church status. I also met with the Northern Lakes leadership team to talk about the transition they are facing with the resignation of Pastor Kevin O’Connor. Pastor Kevin will be going to plant a church in North Carolina. We are praying and working for the Lord’s direction for the new leader for this new, developing church.

Monday Reenie and I met with a pastoral couple to talk about ministry. I also had a lunch meeting with Craig Cooper, our district Evangelism and Church Growth Director, to go over budget and to prepare for the church planting strategic planning meeting with Phil Stevenson in May.

News and Notes

Please pray for:

· Ben and Ingrid Kidder as they prepare for the birth of their child in early May.

· Fred Whyte who had a heart attack last week, and is now home recuperating. The prognosis for a full recovery is excellent.

· The Sand Lake and Northern Lakes churches as we continue to search for the next pastor/leader.

· Erma Clarke who recently lost her husband, Rev. John Clarke, a long time pastor in the Wisconsin District.

· Our newest church planter, Juan Morillo, and his family, as they prepare to settle in Waukesha and plant our second Hispanic ministry.

· Our recent church planter Jason Butler and Transformation City as they bring on additional leaders and supporters in Milwaukee.

· God to continue to open up new places to start new congregations in Wisconsin.

Calender

April 10 Budget Meeting

13 Valton LBA, Dialogue

13 Mt. Pisgah LBA

19 DBA

20 West Allis Visit

25-26 Minnesota Men’s Retreat

27 Stone Lake Visit, LBA

Team Wisconsin Update 3-18-08

2008-03-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

High Point

I had a good day with Pastor Channing and Esther last Sunday. They are working with a developing church in Rice Lake, with a vision to turn the ministry around. There was a good spirit in the service and the facilities looked very clean and well-kept. There are some new couples who have begun to connect with the ministry there. Pray for Channing as he continues to lead this refocusing effort.

John Clarke

Remember to pray for Erma Clarke and family. A long time pastor and friend of the Wisconsin District, John Clarke, passed away last week in La Crosse. He continued to serve at the Sand Lake Church as long as he was physically able. The viewing will be Sunday evening, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be Monday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m., both at the Sand Lake Wesleyan Church.

Easter Offering

We want to again encourage our churches to take an offering for church planting in the springtime, sometime around Easter. It doesn’t have to be on Easter Sunday. These monies are an important resource for the Evangelism and Church Growth Department to continue to encourage and push the church planting efforts of the denomination. The Wisconsin District, along with others, benefits from these resources, as we plant new congregations.

Nicaragua Partnership

This winter’s medical team, the 14th team to go from Wisconsin, was made up of support members Marcy Keup, Todd Keup, Carole Malinoski, Neal Moss, Cindy Terry, Katie Toraason, and RN’s Kathy Dettle, Laura Pulda, Leah Herstad Schmitz, Kim Striber, Gail Thielman, Suzie Ulmer, and Medical Dr. David Taylor. They were joined by the missionaries Eckhardts and Knoxes, Nicaraguan medical students and translators, Dr. Arauz and the local Wesleyan pastors. Dr. Bob Christie, a dentist, also worked with the team in Malacatoya. Nicaraguan church members assisted by organizing, packing medicine, entertaining children and preparing a noon meal for the workers. Six days of clinics were held and over 1,900 people were treated with health consultations that included medication and health education. Every family received a copy of the gospel of John and the children received Bible story cards. A lot of prayer takes place before, during and after the clinics. Through conversations and invitations throughout the day, people are invited to accept Jesus Christ into their lives. District Superintendent Enrique Montenegro reported that several people accepted Christ and a number of people have been invited to church. Huge kudos to everyone who helped make the trip a life-changing week for many people and for the kingdom.

Focus Tour

Last week about 30 pastors and staff participated in a wonderful day of learning and encouragement with presenters Jim Dunn and Phil Stevenson. The day consisted of pastoral and leadership spiritual formation issues along with challenges to strategically move ahead with expanding the kingdom through church multiplication. Our leaders went away with new ideas and new motivation to be proactive in caring for themselves as leaders and starting new churches. Jim Dunn and Phil Stevenson are general directors of the Spiritual Formation and Evangelism and Church Growth Departments of the Wesleyan Church.

Calendar

March

15-16 Mt. Pisgah Visit

17-20 DS Institute, GBA

23 Easter Sunday

25—4/1 Vacation (our son’s wedding)

Team Wisconsin Update 3-4-08

2008-03-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

I was privileged to be with Lead Pastor Craig Cooper, his staff and congregation this past weekend. They have three services - one on Saturday and two on Sunday. Everyone has their role and does their part well throughout the weekend. Pastor Todd Arneson oversees the missions, connections and congregational care. Pastor Jeff Semple leads worship and takes care of the creative arts. Pastor Heather Semple oversees all spiritual formation. Pastor Brandon Willis works in student ministries and also shares some of the teaching and discipleship classes. Reenie and I were privileged to connect with each of them sometime over the weekend. There is an excitement about the future. People are coming to Christ. There is a group of youth preparing to go with the Nicaragua youth missions team this summer. Pastor Craig continues to give good leadership, along with his staff, to moving Red Cedar into the future. Pray for them as they do their major outreach at Easter at the High school auditorium and as they determine their future needs for facilities and additional space.

Nicaragua

Here are some things you can celebrate and pray about that are happening in Nicaragua:

• The medical team returned from Nicaragua last week and you’ll be hearing an update next week.

• The Nicaragua Bible Institute has begun its new year of classes. Jim Eckhardt is teaching a class on

Pastoral Ethics and Mike Knox is teaching the Introduction to the New Testament.

• The Amigos del Rey church in Tipitapa is holding services in Matagalpa. The church is averaging 70 people and there are 5 new believers.

• A work team from the New Life Wesleyan Church in Gillette, WY was in Nicaragua last month to work on the church in Malacatoya.

• Pray for our three grade schools in Mount Horeb, Las Colinas and Los Amiguitor del Rey. Together there are several hundred students.

• Pray for the new district board, elected in January, and remember District Superintendent Enrique Montenegro as he leads.

• Pray for the Mount Horeb Church and a work group from Sheridan, WY who will be building a kitchen in order to host a feeding program in the future.

Focus Tour

This Thursday, Phil Stevenson and Jim Dunn will be coming to Wisconsin and teaching on how to have spiritual, leadership, principle and outward focus. Pray with us that it will be an encouraging and challenging day.

Easter Offering

Every year around the Easter season we are encouraged and challenged to thinking missionally by giving the people in our churches opportunity to give to assist in church planting. A significant part of our vision as a district and a denomination
is to plant new congregations. The Easter offering is a significant way that we can invest in planting, training, coaching and resourcing. I encourage you to do what you can for church planting. Every pastor has received information and promotional material.

Calendar

March 4 ................................................. Dialogues

5 ............... Nicaragua Partnership Meeting

6 ............................... Focus Tour (Pastors)

8 ................................... Casa de Dios LBA

9 ........................................ High Point Visit

10 ......................................... The River LBA

11 ................................................. Dialogues

12 ........................................ Lakeshore LBA

13 .................................... Darrow Road LBA

15-16 ........................................ Mt. Pisgah Visit

17-20 .................................... DS Institute, GBA

23 ......................................... Easter Sunday

25—4/1 .................. Vacation (our son’s wedding)

Team Wisconsin Updat 2-26-08

2008-02-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday southwestern Wisconsin had the sun shining, there was no major snow storm and the temperature was actually close to freezing – a welcome relief from around 90 inches of snow and cold temperatures, much of which seemed to fall on the weekends. We had a good day with Pastor Dennis and Sela Jones and the Beulah Wesleyan Church. Pastor Dennis played his guitar and sang. He did a great job. I didn’t know it, but he came from a very musical family and was close to launching a musical career before the Lord steered him toward full-time ministry. Another interesting thing that many don’t know is that they also have two Great Danes – and they’re BIG! After lunch and my annual dialogue with Dennis, Reenie and I headed to Minnesota to visit with some good friends and give Reenie a chance to do some shopping before the wedding.

Transformation City

Jason Butler and the new north Milwaukee church plant had their first service back in the Rosebud Theater last Sunday. In addition to the launch team and others, they had 8 people there for the first time. They didn’t reach their numerical goal, but they were encouraged by the response and the fresh start at their new location. One of the things that has happened through the past several months of wrangling with the city fathers is that it has opened doors to communicate the vision and dream with the community and leaders. It has also served to unite and encourage the entire faith community to work together to reach the community with the gospel.

Baraboo

Saturday about a dozen men got helped Pastor Josh refurbish the Jubilee Wesleyan Church in Baraboo. Pastor Josh and Jamie had led the congregation in redoing a lot of the interior and exterior of the building which had fallen into disrepair and was in desperate need of upgrading. An office and nursery have been added upstairs and the entire main level is being insulated and dry-walled, with new windows, lights, and sound system. With the help of Pastor Dwayne and some men from Eau Claire, Pastor Roger Miller, a local carpenter and his son, and a couple of men from the church, the entire ceiling was insulated and sheet rocked. A local reporter even came out, took some pictures and interviewed Josh. The story was on the front page of the paper.

Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana, Casa de Restauracion

I’ve had two meetings with Pastor Juan Morillo and Pastor Daniel Munoz in the past week to discuss the exact location for this new church plant. Waukesha County has the fastest growing Hispanic population in the state of Wisconsin and will soon surpass the total in Milwaukee County and we are feeling this is where we need to move into. Please pray as we look for housing in the Waukesha area and work out a location for the new congregation to meet. They are presently meeting in one of the family’s homes on Saturdays.

Focus Tour

Pastors and staff will be coming from all over Wisconsin next Thursday, March 6 to spend a day with Phil Stevenson and Jim Dunn. The focus will be on the pastors themselves and on being missional churches and a missional district. Please pray that the Lord would speak through and empower the presenters to encourage and challenge us.

Calendar

February

26 Red Cedar LBA

27 Dialogues

March

1-2 Red Cedar Visit

4 Dialogues

5 Nicaragua Partnership Meeting

6 Focus Tour (Pastors)

8 Casa de Dios LBA

9 High Point Visit

10 The River LBA

15-16 Mt. Pisgah Visit

17-20 DS Institute, GBA

23 Easter Sunday

25—4/1 Vacation (our son’s wedding)

Team Wisconsin Update 2-20-08

2008-02-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hayward
I was privileged to speak at Hayward Wesleyan Church last weekend. Hayward is in north central Wisconsin where, when you stay overnight in a hotel on the weekend there are as many snowmobiles in the parking lot as there are cars. Pastor Mark and his family were in Ohio where he was speaking in his home church, ministering to his family who just recently lost a loved one in a tragic car accident. It was a great opportunity to connect with the staff of the largest church in the Wisconsin District. Pastors Ben, Loretta, Tim, Heath and Jeremy, along with Pastor Mark, are doing a great job leading the church to continued growth. Just a little over a year ago they gave birth to a daughter church in Minong. Their baby church has grown to two services. We are working on property issues because they are already outgrowing the facilities they are renting. Interestingly, as The River church was launched, other churches have contributed people and resources – Spooner, Gull Lake, and Darrow Road. Hayward continues to make an impact in their local community, in Wisconsin, and around the world.

Dialogues & Church LBA’s

This past week I had a good meeting with the Valley and Woodland LBA’s, as well as some good dialogues with pastors. It is exciting to see light bulbs come on and churches catching a vision for what a missional vs. maintenance church looks like.

Special Prayer Items for This Week

1. Transformation City and Jason Butler

Jason and the team are preparing for their Grand Opening Sunday, February 24 at the Rosebud Theatre. Please pray that:

· People who have heard about Transformation City and are not connected to a community of faith will feel compelled to come

· People will hear the message of the Gospel both this Sunday and next

· God would remove obstacles and distractions for people to come and hear the message

· God would surround every aspect of the church

2. Nicaragua Medical Team

Please pray that these last three days would be filled with hope and promise for the hundreds of Nicaraguan who will receive medical attention as well as an opportunity to connect with Christ and the Wesleyan church in Nicaragua.

3. The River Church and Ben Kidder

Please pray that God would give wisdom and direction to this new congregation and the DBA as we work on property and space issues. We need to purchase something, upgrade and expand facilities for the short term, then plan for future property acquisition.

Calendar

February 20 Dialogues

21 Our Saviors’ LBA

23 Baraboo Jubilee Construction

24 Beulah visit, Dialogue

26 Red Cedar LBA

27 Dialogues

Team Wisconsin Update 2-15-08

2008-02-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I was privileged to be at Lakeshore, the church that was restarted about 8 years ago in the Madison area. Since the original restart in Middleton, the congregation has moved to the southern part of the Madison area. They are now meeting in Chavez Elementary school and have purchased another home in a growing neighborhood for Pastor David Treloar and his family. It was another cold and winter storm morning – par for the course here in southern Wisconsin this year. We had a great time worshipping with the congregation. This has been a year of transition for the Treloars. After moving to a new home, David’s father and mother came to live in Madison because of the discovery of his Dad’s cancer. David and Lisa have helped them through the surgery and subsequent therapy. Reenie and I had the opportunity to share a meal with the family on Saturday evening to catch up with their journey. Pray especially for them as their LBA meets this weekend to work on vision and strategy for their future.
Sunday evening I went from an extreme winter in Wisconsin to an extremely nice winter in Florida. The Indiana Wesleyan University Board met for three days to dream, plan and prepare for the future we feel God has for IWU. The President and cabinet worked together to help develop some strategic initiatives and plans to help the institution fulfill its mission to the Wesleyan Church and impact the world for Christ. We feel extremely blessed by the Lord for the way He is using this institution to raise up young men and women who are truly becoming world-changers.
The Nicaragua medical team is there his week, distributing hundreds of pounds of medicine and assisting several thousand patients. Please pray for this team’s strength and wisdom, that people would see Christ and want to enter into a relationship with Him, and that positive connections would be made with the Wesleyan pastors and churches. The Wesleyan church in Nicaragua continues to grow. In the past two years there have been 5 new congregations and preaching points established. There are now 3 Christian schools. Mike and Amy Knox and the Eckhardts are giving good leadership to the work there.

Calendar

February 13-21 Nicaragua Medical Team Trip
17 Hayward visit
18 Dialogue, Woodland LBA
19 Hales Corners LBA
20 Dialogues
21 Our Saviors’ LBA
23 Baraboo Jubilee Construction
24 Beulah visit, Dialogue
26 Red Cedar LBA
27 Dialogues

Team Wisconsin Update 2-8-08

2008-02-07T06:38:00.001-08:00

Over There
Thank you for praying for the Pastor’s training trip this year in Nicaragua. This was our 8th trip to invest in leadership training for the pastors and leaders in the local churches and schools there. A great team included Richard & Jan Concklin, Mark Holmes, Brandon Willis and Cindy Terry from Wisconsin and Jim Eckhardt and Mike Knox from the field. We had the opportunity to travel to Matagalpa and see the area where one of the four new churches is being planted. We also toured the school that World Hope and Hillside Wesleyan church have established and built.

There are presently 14 churches and preaching points, along with 3 schools operating in Nicaragua. The Tipitapa church and district are preparing to begin churches in three different areas, along with another school, this next year. We are still working on and praying for the right land and facility to house the district ministry center for office and training.

Please remember to pray especially for the medical ministry team that is heading to Nicaragua February 13-21. We are fulfilling the command of Jesus to minister to those who are sick through these medical teams. We are also beginning to see some fruit through changed lives as a result of this faithful service.

Over Here

The Wisconsin pastors and spouses got together for the annual “Getaway”. It was a wonderful time for everyone and David Holdren, the presenter, did a great job speaking truth into all of our lives. We left refreshed and excited to jump back into ministry.

Eau Claire was my destination last weekend. Pastor Dwayne and his staff – Matt, Chris, and Kathy – continue to give good leadership to the ministry there. It is always a delight for me to stop in where I pastored for 10 years. I saw a lot of friends and new faces. Eau Claire has played a significant role in missions, particularly in Nicaragua. Kent and Hannah Peterson lead two of our ministry teams each year to Nicaragua and there are many people that have gone as team members or assisted in packing meds for the medical team outreach. Thanks, Eau Claire, for your investment in the kingdom both locally and around the world.

Calendar

February 7 Spooner LBA

9 Janesville LBA

10 Lakeshore visit

10-13 IWU Board Retreat

13-21 Nicaragua Medical Team Trip

16 Hales Corner LBA

17 Hayward visit

18, 20 Dialogues, Woodland LBA

21 Our Saviors’ LBA

24 Beulah visit

26 Red Cedar LBA

27 Dialogues

Team Wisconsin Update 1-9-08

2008-01-10T07:29:00.001-08:00

Hillsboro, along with about every other church in southwestern Wisconsin, got majorly snowed out on Christmas Sunday, December 23. So, they did their special Christmas musical presentation on January 6. They did a great job. They even let me preach. It was a very good day with Pastor Roger and Cathy Miller, Pastor Russell and Margaret Wooten and the congregation. I also had the privilege of meeting with their board on Saturday evening. Pastor Miller has been at Hillsboro for 18 years now and has given good leadership to the congregation. About 5 years ago the local high school principal, a board member, started a new ministry to the community. The Wesleyan church was the primary sponsor. They began to serve a free community dinner at Christmas. The first years were held at the church, but it has grown from 100 to 450 and they are now using the local high school. Churches and businesses have gotten involved, donating turkeys and other food. Kudos to Pastor Miller and the congregation.

Thank you

I want to say a big thank you to all of the individuals and local churches that have given to provide scholarships for the annual Pastor’s Training week in Nicaragua. Also, scholarships for the ongoing Theological Education of pastors and leaders continues to come in. One special thanks this year goes to one of our newest church plants, Northern Lakes, who is providing money for four students. What is really cool is that a Hispanic church that meets at Northern Lakes donated $300 to help provide education to pastors in Nicaragua. Thanks Kevin O’Connor and congregations.

Connections

As you know, you’ve not received this for a couple of weeks. The Bickels spent several days together over the holidays, both in Indiana and Wisconsin. Two special people are becoming part of us. Brittany Wilson, Brice’s fiancée, was able to spend Christmas in Wisconsin. She got to experience over two feet of snow on the ground and 0 degree weather. Brice and Brittany will be married the end of March. Jackson Daniel arrived on the scene in June to our son Brent and Laura. We had a wonderful time with everyone. One special moment was having a five generation picture with little Jackson Daniel, father Brent, grandma Reenie, great grandpa Edwin Hoover, and great-great grandma Juanita Hoover.

Prayer

We would appreciate your continuing prayers for the search teams of Janesville and Sand Lake churches, vice-chairs Phil and Rudy, and interim pastors Gary and Richard.

Pray for the pastoral training team that will be teaching in Nicaragua next week, January 14-21. Team members include team leader Mark Holmes, Richard and Jan Concklin, Brandon Willis, Dan Bickel and translator Cindy Terry. This team will join with missionaries Mike and Amy Knox, Jim and Julie Eckhardt and Nicaraguan Superintendent Enrique Montenegro.

Calender

January 8………………………….. Dialogues

Safe Harbor Board

Janaury 9……………………………Dialogues

High Point Leadership

January 10………………………….Dialogues

Janaury 13………………………….Pardeeville visit

January 14-21………………………Nicaragua

Pastor’s Training Trip

January 24………………………….Dialogues

Janaury 26……………………………….DBA

January 27-29…………………………..The Getaway

(for all Wisconsin pastors and spouses)

Team Wisconsin Update 12-20-07

2007-12-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Park Community Church has become Hales Corners Wesleyan. The name change was proposed and approved this fall. Hales Corners is a suburb in the greater Milwaukee area. Pastor Don and Andrea Towle have been working there over four years. Last winter Paul Myers, a ministerial student from West Allis, began assisting Don. Then, this past fall, Gary McCammon joined the team. I had the privilege of speaking in their service and worshipping with the congregation. There are four new people working together to build a worship band/team – a lead singer, two guitars and a drummer. This was their second Sunday together. I commend them and the leaders for the dream and hard work to move the ball up the field in their ministry. Reenie and I had a great lunch with Don and Andrea, Paul and Beth and Gary and Carole.

Congratulations Emma Ann Butler

We congratulate Emma Ann. She just met her parents – Jason and Alya Butler. Jason is the church planting pastor of Transformation City in north Milwaukee. She arrived to greet her new parents at 10:30 AM this past Sunday, December 16. Both her and mama are doing great! Emma was 9 lbs 7 oz and almost 22 inches long. She was born at their home with a midwife and her assistant. We’re happy for Jason, Alya, and big brother Luke.

“The Getaway” (formerly known as Ministers and Mates)

Pastors, a reminder that the registrations are due December 28 for The Getaway. If you need the information or registration form, just go to the website www.wisconsindistrict.org and click on the M&M picture at the top of the home page. It’s going to be a great couple of days together. Dr. Dave Holdren will be our speaker for this year. We’ve built in extra connection times again this year. If you are needing help with child care or covering the cost, please call the district office and we’ll work with you on it.

Nicaragua January Pastors’ Training Scholarships Needed!!!

The annual Nicaragua Pastor’s training seminar in January is coming soon and we still need scholarships for this event again this year. Please encourage your church or individuals to sponsor a pastor or key lay leader. The cost is $300 per student. Please send your donations by January 7th to the partnership treasurer: Irene Tripp, E 15912 State Hwy. 33, P.O. Box 388, Hillsboro, WI 54634. Thank you for your investment in helping build the leadership in Nicaragua. Note: Every dollar goes to a Nicaraguan pastor or lay leader for their training. All team members provide for their own support.

Connections

Over the past several days I’ve had the privilege of having dialogues with Pastors Juan, Daniel, Peter, Mark, Ben, Loretta, Heath, Jeremy, Tim, Don and Paul. I also had a great meeting with the Hayward’s board for our annual dialogue.

Pastor Juan and France Morillo and their family have been in Wisconsin a few short weeks. At our dialogue last week he told me that they had their first house church meeting and there were 19 people, 12 new people in addition to their family and a couple from Daniel Munoz’ church, who is helping them get started. Their new church name is “Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana Casa de Restauracion Para Todas las Naciones”. In English, that is “Christian Wesleyan Church, Restoration House for all the Nations”.

I was also privileged to be present with Jason Butler, Transformation City church planter, and about 70 other supporters for the meeting with the Wauwatosa City Council to get authorization for their church to meet in a local theater on Sundays. Through a series of discussions, the meeting Tuesday night and a follow up meeting in January, things are looking much more positive to allow them to meet at the Rosebud Cinema. The owner is very open to their presence and has filed a petition to allow meetings in the building on Sunday mornings.

Prayer

Keep praying for Sand Lake and Janesville as they are searching for their next pastor and leader. Remember Gary Maness and Richard Concklin as they serve as interim pastors.

Remember to pray for the SetApart07 Youth Convention coming up the end of this month. Pray for the thousands of youth and adult sponsors as they raise the final money, as they travel and that God would call hundreds of missionaries to North America and other countries. Pray for our own Wisconsin teens and adults as they prepare and travel to the convention over the holidays. Pray that hundreds would make life-changing commitments to complete surrender to live by the will and moral standards of God.

Pray for the churches and the outreach events during Advent. Pray that people whose hearts are open during this time of year will hear the real message of Christmas – God’s love expressed through His Son, Jesus.

Continue to pray for Transformation City Church and Jason as they work with the city to remove the barriers that would allow them to meet freely and as they begin this new church.

Pray for Pastor Juan Morillo and France as they begin to establish a new congregation in south Milwaukee.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Calendar
December 23……………………... Drop in visit

December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

December 27-January 2………….Vacation

December 26-January 1………….Office Closed

January 6………………………….. Hillsboro visit

January 8………………………….. Dialogues

Safe Harbor Board

Janaury 9……………………………Dialogues

High Point Leadership

January 10……………………………….Dialogues

Janaury 13……………………………….Pardeeville visit

January 14-21……………………………Nicaragua

Pastor’s Training Trip

January 24……………………………….Dialogues

Janaury 26……………………………….DBA

January 27-29…………………………..The Getaway

(for all Wisconsin pastors and spouses)

Dan Bickel

Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 12-11-07

2007-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Superior was a superior place to be for several reasons. It was definitely colder than about any other place around last weekend (par for the course for them). It has a church named Darrow Rd. that is extremely generous and supportive of missions, Nicaragua and church planting. It has a great pastoral team in Mark Holmes and Chris Javner at that church. Darrow Rd. mothered a church on the north side of Superior and continues to bless the new congregation there. The congregation continues to find ways to expand the kingdom both locally, in Wisconsin and globally. It was a good Sunday in Advent with Pastor Mark and Jenny and Pastor Chris and Kathy and their families. Pastor Mark and Jenny are grandparents. Their son Amos and his wife had a baby girl – Gabriela – born just a little over a week ago. Congratulations to the Holmes family! After church I had the privilege of sharing a meal with both families together and we had a great time. Pastor Mark is originally from Pennsylvania and Chris Javner’s son Christopher is a die-hard New England fan, so we had Steeler/Patriot “talk” flying around during lunch.

Nicaragua January Pastors’ Training Scholarships Needed!!!

The annual Nicaragua Pastor’s training seminar in January is coming soon and we need scholarships for this event again this year. Please encourage your church or individuals to sponsor a pastor or key lay leader. The cost is $300 per student. Please send your donations by January 7th to the partnership treasurer: Irene Tripp, E 15912 State Hwy. 33, P.O. Box 388, Hillsboro, WI 54634. Thank you for your investment in helping build the leadership in Nicaragua. Note: Every dollar goes to a Nicaraguan pastor or lay leader for their training. All team members provide for their own support.

Connections

In recent days I’ve had the privilege of having dialogues with Pastors Gerry, Stevan, Scott, Jason, and Doug. I also has the privilege of meeting with Karen Scheel, a Christian counselor, who is looking at entering the process for ordination in the Wesleyan Church. Last week we also had a good Nicaragua Partnership meeting. A great team is assembled for the pastors’ training in January and another excellent medical team is preparing for the February trip to Nicaragua. The south central LDJ also met last week, led by Matt Ohime from Eau Claire. Some really good stuff continues to happen through the pastors’ small groups that meet throughout the state on a regular basis.

Prayer

Keep praying for Sand Lake and Janesville as they are searching for their next pastor and leader. Remember Gary Maness and Richard Concklin as they serve as interim pastors.

Remember to pray for the SetApart07 Youth Convention coming up the end of this month. Pray for the thousands of youth and adult sponsors as they raise the final money, as they travel and that God would call hundreds of missionaries to North America and other countries. Pray for our own Wisconsin teens and adults as they prepare and travel to the convention over the holidays. Pray that hundreds would make life-changing commitments to complete surrender to live by the will and moral standards of God.

Pray for the churches and the outreach events during Advent. Pray that people whose hearts are open during this time of year will hear the real message of Christmas – God’s love expressed through His Son, Jesus.

December 11……………………... Dialogues

December 13……………………... Hayward Bd & Dialogues

December 14……………………….Dialogues

December 16……………………... Hales Corners

December 18……………………... Dialogues

December 23……………………... Drop in visit

December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

December 27-January 2………….Vacation

Team Wisconsin Update 12-07-07

2007-12-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

This was a week of two firsts!

Last Sunday was the first time I was not able to make it to the local church destination in over six years. The roads were icy and hazardous and it was not advisable to travel in the central part of the state because of the combination of snow, sleet, and ice on the roadways. So, Baker Street got a reprieve and Reenie and I dug out enough to make it to Lakeshore. As many of you know, Lakeshore, since its beginning, has set up church somewhere. This Sunday morning the truck was stuck, so they did “unplugged” church. Pastor David Treloar is doing a series of messages through Advent, looking at Christmas through the eyes of different people in the story. This week’s was through the eyes of a man, particularly Joseph’s. The message ended up at “grace”. Joseph showed an incredible amount of grace to Mary by accepting her and sharing the shame the community must have had for a woman who was pregnant and not married. It was also an unexpected opportunity to connect with a man and his family who are looking at joining the Wesleyan church and pursuing the call to ministry. They are looking to join Lakeshore and become part of the team.

The second “first” was on Wednesday. Richard Concklin and I were headed to Eau Claire early to meet with the Nicaragua Partnership committee at 10 AM. We got there around 11:15 AM. Again, in the more than six years and almost 300,000 miles, this is the first time I have encountered a significant traffic issue that delayed me from arriving significantly late to a meeting.

I feel so fortunate in so many ways to have had the opportunity to work with wonderful pastors and churches, people who are passionate and committed to the cause. I feel so blessed to have had the protection and care of the Lord in the travels. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity of traveling to many different places and work with colleagues all over the United States and Canada in helping to build the kingdom. I am so blessed to have a wife that understands and blesses me with her supportive attitude and spirit every day. I am so blessed to have a team of leaders in Wisconsin who care about what we’re trying to do and are joining in the work.

Nicaragua Scholarships Needed!!!

The annual Nicaragua Pastor’s training seminar in January is coming soon and we need scholarships for this event again this year. Please encourage your church or individuals to sponsor a pastor or key lay leader. The cost is $300 per student. Please send your donations by January 7th to the partnership treasurer: Irene Tripp, E 15912 State Hwy. 33, P.O. Box 388, Hillsboro, WI 54634. Thank you for your investment in helping build the leadership in Nicaragua.

Prayer

Praise – Shelley Berry, wife of District Superintendent Dan Berry, who has been in a coma for almost three months now, is beginning to show very positive signs of response and cognitive thinking. They are very encouraged that she is beginning to wake up.

Continue to pray for Sand Lake and Janesville as they are searching for their next pastor and leader. Remember Gary Maness and Richard Concklin as they serve as interim pastors.

Remember to pray for the SetApart07 Youth Convention coming up the end of this month. Pray for the thousands of youth and adult sponsors as they raise the final money, as they travel and that God would call hundreds of missionaries to North America and other countries. Pray that hundreds would make life-changing commitments to complete surrender to live by the will and moral standards of God.

Pray for the churches and the outreach events during Advent. Pray that people whose hearts are open during this time of year will hear the real message of Christmas – God’s love expressed through His Son, Jesus.

Calender

December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit

December 11……………………... Dialogues

December 13……………………... Hayward Bd and dialogues

December 14..........................Dialogues

December 16……………………... Hales Corners

December 18……………………... Dialogues

December 23……………………... Drop in visit

December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

December 27-January 2..........Vacation

Team Wisconsin Update 11-27-07

2007-11-27T10:25:00.000-08:00

One is on top of the hill and one is in the valley. The one in the valley is called Valley Wesleyan. Works for me! The one on top of the hill is called Burr Wesleyan, named after what the local population call that area - Burr Ridge. They are both pastored by Alan Tripp. Alan and Irene have served these two churches faithfully for over 25 years now. It was a delight to speak to and worship with both of these congregations last Sunday. The Valley church was originally birthed as a predecessor body to the United Methodist church many years ago, but then joined the Wesleyan church and became a part of the only two-charge circuit in the Wisconsin district. Burr has been in continuous existence for over 150 years and is experiencing a resurgence of fruitful ministry. When I met with the Burr’s board last week I discovered that their missions conference was exclusively focused on the mission field of Wisconsin. Ben and Ingrid Kidder were their ‘missionary’ speakers and they heard the passion and vision for reaching the people that need Christ right here in our state. Burr and Valley may broken some new and exciting ground by seeing Wisconsin and the US as it needs to be seen – a mission field. And, by the way, they went over $2,000 beyond their faith-promise goal. Congratulations to Burr and Valley for reading the missional code and responding to the need for reaching the lost in their local communities, around the world and in the mission field that is Wisconsin.

Pray

· Pray for the two churches – Sand Lake and Janesville – that are searching for a pastor. Pray for interim pastors Gary Maness and Richard Concklin and the boards as they carry on ministry and continue the search for the next leader.

· Pray for all of our developing churches, including church plants in the past 5 years – Safe Harbor in Superior, Northern Lakes in Cumberland, The River in Minong, Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana in Milwaukee, Transformation City in North Milwaukee, Iglesia Segundo (2nd church) being started in south Milwaukee). Jason, Kevin, Ben, Daniel, Jason and Morillo need our prayers to continue to develop these new congregations.

· Continue to pray for Nicaragua. We are asking for resources to continue the pastoral and lay leadership development. We are also praying for the right location and the resources to purchase property and build a district ministry center. Pray for Mike and Amy Knox and Jim and Julie Eckhardt as they lead the work there in Nicaragua along with District Superintendent Enrique Montenegro.

· Continue to pray for Dan and Shelley Berry. Dan is the South Coastal District Superintendent. They were in a serious accident about ten weeks ago and Shelley is still in a coma. She is beginning to show signs of response but still has not awakened from her coma.

· Pray for effective outreach and ministry for the local churches during this Advent season.

Connections

Last week was Thanksgiving. We had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with Reenie’s side of the family in Indiana. By the end of the day I definitely had my fill of turkey, bread and butter pickles, great grandma’s persimmon pudding, football games, ping pong, Rook, and even the kitchen sink. Wednesday night the kitchen faucet broke and that is not a good thing the night before Thanksgiving. All I can say is that it confirmed to me that I was not called to be a plumber! But, we got it fixed. I also was privileged to do my annual dialogue with Kevin O’Connor and the Northern Lakes board.

Key Dates to Note

Pastors, here are three key dates to make sure you have on your schedule:

· January 27-29 The Getaway (The used-to-be Ministers and Mates retreat) – two days of renewal for healthy leaders

· March 6 Focus Day – a day for pastors to meet with Phil Stevenson for renewing the dream and passion for being missional churches and a missional district

· June 26-27 District Conference – two days of celebrating the progress of fulfilling the vision of building the kingdom and dreaming together for the future

Calendar

November 28.................. Evangelism and Church

Growth Meeting

December 2………………Baker St. visit

December 4……………. Dialogues

Southwest LDJ Dinner

December 5……………. Nicaragua Partnership meeting

December 6……………... LDJ

Pardeeville Board

December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit

December 11……………………... Dialogues

December 13……………………... Hayward Bd

December 16……………………... Hales Corners

December 18……………………... Dialogues

December 23……………………... Drop in visit

December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

Team Wisconsin Update 11-20-07

2007-11-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

Eric and Miriam and their five children came from Cincinnati, Ohio to a small community in north central Wisconsin just off of Interstate 39 to pastor the Hancock Wesleyan church. Miriam helped lead the worship and one of the boys helped with the video projector. In Wisconsin this is not only the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It is also opening weekend of the nine day gun hunting season for deer, which is also a big deal in the Badger state. In spite of that, there was a good group. Following the service I discovered two tables loaded with boxes of food that were made available to anyone who was there that Sunday. Some people picked up a sack and took it home and others gathered food to give out to others in the community. One of the men of the church has taken this on as a ministry to the congregation and the community. This has been one of the strategies they have used to “give a cup of cold water” to people in need. Hancock is also the congregation that received a donation of a funeral home in town and decided to donate to a Hispanic church group that was starting a ministry there in town. After the service Reenie and I had a great time sharing a meal with the Hambrocks.

Connections

The past couple of days we’ve had the privilege of having Chris and Mary Conrad in our home. Chris came to town to make a visit to Transformation City in Milwaukee and connect with Pastor Jason and Alya. They also took the opportunity to connect with some friends in Madison. Chris and Mary and their two daughters hosted an open house in our home Sunday afternoon so we also had a chance to visit with some Lakeshore folks.

Earlier in the weekend Dave and LaVerne Tippey, friends from Indiana came for a visit. Dave and I grew up in Junior Bible Camp and Youth camp in Indiana and he was the best man in my wedding. LaVerne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over two years ago and she is moving into the advanced stages of the disease. It was a special visit with good friends. Reenie and I continue to monitor the progress of Dan and Shelley Berry, District Superintendent of the South Coastal District of the Wesleyan church. Dan and Shelley were in a serious accident about 10 weeks ago, seriously injuring both of them. Dan is recovering from his injuries, but Shelley has been in a coma since the accident. These and other events in the lives of our special friends have made Reenie and I remember again how fragile life is and how precious our relationships are with family and friends.

I pray that this will be a wonderful week as you take some time to reflect and remember how thankful we all must be for the love and grace of God in our lives.

Calendar
November 25....... Burr/Valley Visit
November 26....... Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue
November 28....... Evangelism and Church Growth Meeting
December 2………………...Baker St. visit
December 4……………. Dialogues
Southwest LDJ Dinner
December 5……………. Nicaragua Partnership meeting
December 6……………... LDJ
Pardeeville Board
December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit
December 11……………………... Dialogues
December 13……………………... Hayward Bd
December 16……………………... Hales Corners
December 18……………………... Dialogues
December 23……………………... Drop in visit
December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

Team Wisconsin Update 11-14-07

2007-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

So, what’s an O’Connor doing on the frontier of northern Wisconsin? For the past five years, planting a church. Kevin and Carol came to Rice Lake Red Cedar, then led the planting of a daughter church in Cumberland. They began meeting in a community center for a few weeks, then moved to a school building until they were able to purchase a store front property right on the main drag of downtown Cumberland. Since purchasing the property they have continued to build and improve the property for worship, nursery, offices and children’s meeting spaces. When they moved into the school, their ministry enlarged. When they moved into the store front property, their ministry enlarged. When they added a Saturday night service, their ministry enlarged. Reenie and I had a wonderful weekend with Kevin and Carol, their leadership and their congregation. The church is doing well and they are still praying for the opportunity of planting further west when the time is right.

Set Apart 07
Note: Early registration deadline for the convention is November 19. Pastors, any of you who are planning to send youth to Set Apart 07, please let Chopper Brown, our District Youth Director, know.

Transformation City
We appreciate your prayers for Pastor Jason and the TC church. The church was applying for an amendment to the zoning law that would allow them to meet in the cinema in their target area. Jason report that the case was denied, meaning they will need to find another location. Here’s what Jason writes: “By no means is our future tied to this decision and we are confident that God will open new doors and bring about a new situation where we can continue to grow as a church and impact the city around us. What is going on is very exciting, it is God breathed and God centered, and we will not allow this situation to steal our joy or our energy. Amen.”

The Getaway
The Ministers and Mates retreat is now The Getaway. Dr. Dave Holdren will be with us for this three day, two night event January 27-29, 2008. It’s a great team time for the Wisconsin leaders. We’re planning for a wonderful time together and praying for God’s powerful presence.

Connections
The past few days I’ve had the privilege of connecting with a new staff LDJ in north central Wisconsin, Gary Maness (new Sand Lake interim pastor), a birthday celebration for Lisa Treloar, Jeff Hoch (staff pastor at Sand Lake), Pastor Alan and Irene Tripp, and the Janesville, Beulah and West Allis boards.

Calendar:

November 16-17............ District Extension Class
(Mukwonago)
November 10-11............ Northern Lakes Visit
November 12.................. West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 18.................. Hancock Visit
November 19.................. Burr LBA Dialogue
November 25.................. Burr/Valley Visit
November 26.................. Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue
November 28.................. Evangelism and Church Growth Meeting
December 2………………Baker St. visit
December 4……………. Dialogues
December 5……………. Nicaragua Partnership meeting
December 6……………... LDJ
Pardeeville Board
December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit
December 11……………………... Dialogues
December 13……………………... Hayward Bd
December 16……………………... Hales Corners
December 18……………………... Dialogues
December 23……………………... Drop in visit
December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 11-7-07

2007-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

Pastor Ben Kidder and the River Church was the destination last weekend. Ben and Ingrid Kidder have been working with this congregation for about a year and they have been consistently reaching new people. They have gone to two services with the second service just crawling with children. They have done a great job decorating the facility for fall. They’ve completed some upgrades for the children’s ministry area and nursery in the basement and they look really nice. Being already at 80% -90% capacity in one of their services and lacking in children’s space, they are in the thick of praying and working on what to do with the future for facilities. Please pray with us about decisions that need to be made about the facilities. They have a vision for reaching people and do not want to tie themselves down financially so it would take their focus away from ministry. Reenie and I had the privilege of spending some time with Ben and Ingrid. They have a heart for Minong and the extended surrounding area. They are already starting to think about other areas to expand to for a Bible study and future ministry. The River – A Wesleyan Church is a daughter church to Hayward.

Spiritual Formation Tour hits Wisconsin
Last Saturday and Sunday the Spiritual Formation department hit the south and north of Wisconsin on two full days of teaching and leadership development. There were over 200 pastors and local church leaders that received encouragement and teaching in adult, youth and children spiritual formation from Jim Dunn, Scott Simmons and Colleen Derr. I want to especially thank Pastor Jerome Bragg of the Crosspoint Nazarene church in Madison and Pastor Ron Gormong and staff of the Spooner Wesleyan church for being wonderful hosts for the event.
Extension Class to be offered in Mukwonago
The years’ second District Extension class will be offered on two weekends – November 9-10 and November 16-17. Pastor Gerry Krupp is the instructor and the class is “Introduction to the New Testament”, one of the basic core courses for ordination. To sign up for the course and for information, contact the instructor. Rev. Gerry Krupp: pastorgerry@oswesleyan.org, 262/363-8025 (office).

Set Apart 07
Pastors, any of you who are planning to send youth the Set Apart convention, please contact our District Youth Director, Chopper Brown, to let him know. Also, please note that the early registration deadline for the convention has been moved to November 19.

Connections
I had a great time getting to know Jim Dunn, Scott Simmons and Colleen Derr this weekend. It was also a wonderful opportunity to see and connect with a number of pastors and lay people from around the district. I also had a great time with Pastor Josh Hilty and his leadership team and Pastor Milt Van Natta and his board this past week. Tuesday Reenie and I caught up with new staff pastor at Our Saviors, Stevan and Jessica Sheets and their daughter Ella. It’s great to have this new family here in Wisconsin.

Calendar
November 8.................... North Central Staff LDJ
November 8.................... Beulah LBA Dialogue
November 9-10, 16-17... District Extension Class
(Mukwonago)
November 10-11............ Northern Lakes Visit
November 12.................. West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 18.................. Hancock Visit
November 19.................. Burr LBA Dialogue
November 22-23............ Thanksgiving
District Office Closed
November 25.................. Burr/Valley Visit
November 26.................. Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue

Team Wisconsin Update 10-31-07

2007-11-06T12:21:00.001-08:00

The Wesleyan Church is trying to move in on Milwaukee. For the past several years there have been four churches in the Milwaukee area. Then three years ago, Iglesia Christiana Wesleyana, Casa de Dios was birthed out of the four Milwaukee area churches. This year two more churches will begin – one in north Milwaukee and another in the southeast area. Last Sunday morning I was privileged to sit in a movie theatre in an overstuffed loveseat. I think that is the most comfortable seating Reenie and I have ever been in for church. Jason and Alya, who have begun having preview services there, are starting Transformation City church. Jason preached a good message then led worship, along with three others. It was a good hour. They are still developing their core team as they make connections with people in the community. A special prayer request we would like you to remember is about their place of worship. They have permission to use the theatre through Christmas, but the city fathers are trying to make their presence a zoning issue to try and keep them from continuing to meet there. There is a hearing on November 12. Please pray that there would be an open door, literally, for them to continue to meet at the Rosebud. It is an excellent location. The owner is very favorable to their presence. It is well known in the community.

Morillo Family and Iglesia Segundo
Monday we were back in Milwaukee to meet the Guzman family, who just arrived in Milwaukee this past weekend to begin planting another church in the southeast area of Milwaukee. Daniel Munoz’ church is the mother church and Daniel and the congregation have worked very hard to prepare the way for their arrival. Morillo is from Venezuela. His wife France (pronounced Francie) is From Colombia. They have three children – Zabdiel, Daniel and Lina. Morillo just received his Pastoral Theology degree in July and is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church. Morillo is also the executive director of Jibacam, the Latin American missions agency. We welcome Morillo and his family to Wisconsin, where they will see snow for the first time. The family has moved into their home. They are still in need of some household furnishings. Please pray for these items and respond by calling Daniel Munoz to see what is still needed. His numbers are: 414/931-4639 (home) or 414/324-7093.

Connections
Last week I met with the Ballinger Fund trustees and we will be recommending some significant changes to the DBA and conference next year. We also had a good DBA meeting last Saturday. In addition to taking care of good and interesting business, we discussed George Bullard’s work entitled “Real Congregations Serve Congregations” and the emerging church movement. Pastor David Treloar’s dad continues to make good progress from his surgery for cancer this past week. Continue to pray for the Treloar family. Finally, Reenie and I had the privilege of spending a couple of days with her folks here in Middleton. We had a great time.

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from
the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions) 10 AM – 3 PM (Light lunch included)
November 4, Sunday (north region) 3 PM – 7 PM (Light supper included)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar Information
November 1.................... Parkway LBA Dialogue
November 3-4................ Spiritual Formation Tour
November 3-4................ The River (Minong) visit
November 5.................... Baker St. LBA Dialogue
November 6.................... Eastman LBA Dialogue
November 6.................... Meeting with Stevan and Jessica Sheets
November 8.................... North Central Staff LDJ
November 8.................... Beulah LBA Dialogue
November 9-10, 16-17... District Extension Class
(Mukwonago)
November 10-11............ Northern Lakes Visit
November 12.................. West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 18.................. Hancock Visit
November 19.................. Burr LBA Dialogue
November 25.................. Burr/Valley Visit
November 26.................. Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue
November 28.................. Evangelism and Church Growth Meeting

Team Wisconsin Update 10-26-07

2007-10-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

It was a really good day worshipping with the Spooner congregation and getting to spend a little time Pastor Ron and Karen and Pastor Chopper and Andrea. Chopper is doing a great job leading the student ministries and assisting Ron. Ron has faithfully led and developing a healthy, reproducing church in northern Wisconsin. Over a year ago when Hayward mothered The River church, Pastor Ron and the leadership at Spooner graciously gave permission for people from Spooner to assist. As a result, there have been a number of people who have jumped in to this new developing congregation in Minong. Spooner has taken the lead in Nicaragua with their strong financial support for Mike and Amy Knox, missionaries to that country. Thanks, Spooner, for being an example in building the kingdom and helping fulfill the vision here in Wisconsin of developing healthy, reproducing church here and around the world.

DBMD
We spend two plus days processing those preparing for ministry here in Wisconsin. We plan to recommend several for ordination next year. There are number of new students and staff that we had the privilege of meeting and getting to know better. It is always exciting to see how God continues to call out those who He needs to gift to lead His kingdom work.

Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana
I caught up with Daniel Munoz last week. Here are a couple of highlights. Did you know that the pastors’ wives of all the Milwaukee churches get together once a month, too? The pastors are in an LDJ and meet monthly, too. Did you know that a little over three years ago there were 4 Wesleyan churches in the Milwaukee area and by sometime this year there will be 7? Iglesia was the first new one. Transformation city is the 2nd new one. And in another week Morillo will arrive to begin laying the groundwork for the 3rd new one. Also, last Sunday Daniel dedicated a child and 8 family members, unchurched, showed up, began asking questions and are interested in coming back. Next Sunday Daniel and his congregation will go to Hales Corners Wesleyan at 11 AM and baptize 4 more people, using Our Savior’s portable baptistry. How’s that for camaraderie and cooperation?

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

October 25 Ballinger Fund

October 27 DBA

October 28 Drop in visit (Transformation City)

November 1 Parkway LBA Dialogue

November 3-4 Spiritual Formation Tour

November 3-4 The River (Minong) visit
November 5 Baker St. LBA Dialogue
November 6 Eastman LBA Dialogue
November 8 North Central Staff LDJ
November 8 Beulah LBA Dialogue

November 10-11 Northern Lakes Visit
November 9-10, 16-17 District Extension Class (Mukwonago)

November 12 West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 19 Burr LBA Dialogue
November 25 Burr/Valley Visit
November 26 Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue

Team Wisconsin Update 10-18-07

2007-10-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Last week Reenie and I spent some time on the road and in North Dakota with our new grandson and his parents, Brent and Laura. I had the privilege of dedicating Jackson to the Lord in one of the morning services at New Hope where Brent is the Family Life Pastor. Pastor Steve Norby preached a good message on the gifts of the Spirit. We had a good time catching up, visiting and getting some work done, too. We feel absolutely blessed because the Lord has gifted us with two wonderful sons, a wonderful daughter in law, a grandson, and another wonderful soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

Morillo
We have just confirmed that Morillo, along with his wife and three children, will be arriving by the first of November to begin another church plant in Milwaukee. He will initially be working alongside Daniel Munoz at Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana, then launching in a second strategic area.

Transformation City
Jason and the team have begun to hold preview services in a downtown theatre in North Milwaukee. They’ve had new people every week and some people who are seriously interested in joining the leadership team. The Lord has answered prayer to allow them to remain at the theatre through December. The city paper has highlighted the church’s beginning and also run an article on Alya, highlighting her Russian roots and cooking. Keep up by visiting http://www.transformationcity.org/.

Connections
Last week I spent a couple of days in Bartlesville, OK for the annual GS/DS meeting. It was a good day with new ideas and resources bubbling out all over. I also spent some time with Jesse Van Horn, a ministerial student from Darrow Road. Jesse is in his final year at OWU. By the way, there’s a great place to find ribs in town – Dink’s Pit Bar-B-Que!

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from
the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

October 21 Spooner
October 22-23 DBMD
October 25 Ballinger Fund
October 27 DBA
October 28 Drop in visit
November 1 Parkway LBA Dialogue
November 3-4 Spiritual Formation Tour
November 3-4 The River (Minong) visit
November 5 Baker St. LBA Dialogue
November 6 Eastman LBA Dialogue
November 8 North Central Staff LDJ
November 9-10, 16-17 District Extension Class (Mukwonago)
November 10-11 Northern Lakes Visit
November 12 West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 18 Hancock Visit
November 19 Burr LBA Dialogue
November 25 Burr/Valley Visit
November 26 Northern Lakes LBA Dialogueovember 8 Beulah LBA Dialogue

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

2007-10-09T10:12:00.001-07:00

Sand Lake is experiencing good grief these days. Pastor Jim and Terri Maness had their farewell a week ago on their final Sunday at the church they’ve led for 15 years. Last Sunday I spoke at the church and met with their board. The congregation is sad to see them go. But what is encouraging is that the church that was running in the 50’s then is a much stronger and healthy congregation of 275 today. Please pray for the church and leadership as they search for the right leader for the next season of ministry in the Coulee region.

Indiana Wesleyan University
God continues to bless IWU. I just returned from the fall Trustee board meeting. There are many new developments in the fulfillment of the mission of IWU.
· This is the first year with a guaranteed 50% tuition scholarship for all Wesleyan pastors and missionaries’ children
· A special scholarship for all Wesleyan students was initiated from a newly established Wesleyan scholarship fund
· Enrollment on the Marion campus surpassed 3,000 students
· A new three story class room building was completed and dedicated.
· New student housing units were completed this summer.
· A new indoor sports arena and tennis courts were completed this summer/fall
· A new Master of Divinity program is being studied and developed
· Michael Moffitt, a former wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers (yeah, Wisconsin!), is a new vice-president at IWU
· A new, much needed chapel is being planned

Connections
In addition to having a chance to connect with my grandson for short time, we also had the privilege of connecting with Russell and Vonnie Buck, former District Superintendent of the Wisconsin district. Russell and Vonnie are on their way to Florida where the weather is warmer and the golfing is a lot more fun in January than it is in Wisconsin.

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from
the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

October 7 Sand Lake
October 9-10 OWU Visit, GS/DS Meeting
October 11-16 Vacation
October 21 Spooner
October 22-23 DBMD
October 25 Ballinger Fund
October 27 DBA
October 28 Drop in visit

November 3-4 Spiritual Formation Tour Event
The River (Minong) Visit

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 10-03-07

2007-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Good things are happening at Safe Harbor in Superior! Pastor Jason continues to do a good job in helping form this young, developing church. Begun six years ago as a daughter to Darrow Rd., their dream is to impact north Superior with the gospel. The finance and attendance numbers are climbing. A week ago they baptized five more people in Lake Superior (brr!). They’ve put on an addition with a restroom, ramp and back entry. They’ve put on a new roof and have raised the money for a complete, new exterior. In the past two weeks they’ve also raised the money to scholarship a student in Nicaragua. Jason and Patty have four children, with number five on the way. People’s lives continue to be transformed through this ministry.

Transformation City
Another Pastor Jason and his team had their first low-key preview service last Sunday in north Milwaukee. In addition to their launch team, there were 5 new adults with four children and it went very well. Jason and Alya Butler have been working in the area for about three months to establish a new congregation there. They are working through some opposition with zoning issues from the city fathers. Pray for them about this issue and as they work to reach people for Christ in the city.

Connections
This weekend I also had the opportunity to catch up with Alex Finseth (a licensed ministerial student) in Eau Claire, Jeff and Heather Semple (new staff pastors at Red Cedar), Todd and Kris Arneson (assistant at Red Cedar) and Damian Gonzalez (student intern at Red Cedar). I was also privileged to stop in to hear Pastor Craig Cooper preach and worship with Red Cedar on Saturday evening.

Nicaragua Scholarship Sponsors Needed
We’re about halfway in providing 20 scholarships to help a student (minister or lay) to be educated for one year. $336 pays for one student to take at least three classes for one year. Missionaries Mike Knox and Jim Eckhardt are developing and teaching the classes. We will provide you with a picture and a short bio on the student so that you can also pray for him/her while you support the student.

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar
October 4-5 IWU Board

October 21 Spooner Visit
October 6 Iglesia de Esperanza (Rice Lake)

October 22-23 DBMD
October 7 Sand Lake

October 25 Ballinger Fund
October 9-10 OWU Visit, GS/DS Meeting

October 27 DBA
October 11-16 Vacation

October 28 Drop in visit

November 3-4 Spiritual Formation Training
The River (Minong) visit

Team Wisconsin Update 9-20-07

2007-09-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

For the 13th time, a medical team, consisting of Wisconsinites and Nicaraguans, brought people the gospel, medication and health education in Nicaragua. 3,000 people were assisted in 6 days of clinics. Four people accepted Christ and some people began to resume attendance at the local churches. $1,000 in medication was also purchased by the team to go to victims of Hurricane Felix on the east coast of Nicaragua. Nicaraguan church members helped at each clinic by helping to organize, packaging medicine, entertaining children and preparing a noon meal for the staff. Julie Eckhardt and Amy Knox are working on ways to administer continued health care and education, including seminars, clinics, and one on one education.

How can you help? Collect eyeglasses, small toys, adult and children's toothbrushes, and donate funds for Bibles, Bible Story Cards, and medicine. Also, you can join a team. Dates for 2008 medical teams are February 13-21 & September 10-18. Team application information can be accessed at: www.ecwesleyan.net

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions) 10 AM – 3 PM (Light lunch included)
November 4, Sunday (north region) 3 PM – 7 PM (Light supper included)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

September 23 Drop in visit
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee
September 30 Safe Harbor visit

October 7 Sand Lake
October 9-10 OWU Visit, GS/DS Meeting
October 12-17 Vacation
October 21 Spooner
October 23 DBMD
October 27 DBA
October 28 Drop in visit

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 9-11-07

2007-09-11T09:41:00.001-07:00

IN THE LAND OF WOOD

Pastor Mary Coolidge continues to make progress since losing her husband Skip this summer. After a few weeks of healing time she is back leading the congregation again. After a positive time of worship, the congregation ate together, then we met as a leadership team to talk about church health issues. It was a good afternoon. The board now has some good direction for future conversations and action. Also, during the meeting they informed me that they plan to sponsor one student’s training in Nicaragua. Thanks, Woodland! I know that Mary would appreciate your continued prayers for her and the congregation.

Nicaragua Scholarship Sponsors Needed

We need 20 individual churches or people to sponsor a student (minister or lay) to be educated for one year. $336 pays for one student to take at least three classes for one year. Missionaries Mike Knox and Jim Eckhardt are developing and teaching the classes. We will provide you with a picture and a short bio on the student so that you can also pray for him/her while you support the student.

Spiritual Formation Training for Teachers/Leaders

WHAT: Exciting time of motivation and training for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn (Adult), Rev. Colleen Derr (Children) and Rev. Scott Simmons (youth) from
the Spiritual Formation Department in Indy will be leading

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, Small Group leaders, of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

September 5-13 Nicaragua Medical Team trip October 7 Sand Lake
September 16 Washington, MI October 9-10 OWU Visit, GS/DS Meeting
September 23 Drop in visit October 12-17 Vacation
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class October 21 Spooner
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee October 23 DBMD
September 30 Safe Harbor visit October 27 DBA
October 28 Drop in visit

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 9-7-07

2007-09-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

MEET THE PARENTS

Reenie and I spent Labor Day weekend driving around North and South Carolina with our son Brice and his fiancée Brittany. We had the privilege of meeting Brittany’s family—parents, grandparents, and siblings. We also got some work done on the home Brice is renting and knocked out some details on the wedding plans for next March. Brice is giving leadership to, and working for, a landscaping company in Greenville. Brittany is working in an office position at Southern Wesleyan University. We worshipped at ALIVE, a new, contemporary worship service started by First Wesleyan in Central, SC. Pastor Tom Harding and the team led in a meaningful time of worship.

Nicaragua

Please pray for those affected by Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua. The hurricane came ashore in Nicaragua territory near the town of Puerto Cabezas on the east coast as a Category 5 storm this morning. There are reports of significant damage.

This fall’s Medical Team is now in Nicaragua ministering in several cities, and will return September 13. Please pray for them.

We are still in need of individual churches or people to sponsor a student (minister or lay) to be educated for one year. $336 is all it takes for one student to take at least three classes for one year.

Spiritual Formation Leaders Training

WHAT: Exciting time of training and motivation for effective spiritual formation

WHO: Dr. Jim Dunn and others from Spiritual Formation Department in Indy

WHEN: November 3, Saturday (southwest and southeast regions)
November 4, Sunday (north region)

WHERE: November 3—CrossPoint Nazarene Church, Madison
November 4—Spooner Wesleyan Church

FOR: Pastors, Directors, Teachers, and Leaders of children, youth, and adults.

Calendar

September 5-13..... Nicaragua Medical Team trip
September 9........... Woodland visit
September 16......... Washington, MI
September 22......... Building Committee - Baraboo
September 23......... Drop in visit
September 25-27... District Flame Extension Class
September 26......... Nicaragua Partnership
September 30......... Safe Harbor visit

October 7................. Sand Lake visit
October 9-10........... OWU Visit, GS/DS Meetings
October 12-17......... Vacation
October 21............... Spooner visit
October 23............... DBDM
October 27............... DBA
October 28............... Drop in visit

Leading a great team—Your Servant, Dan Bickel, Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 8/28/07

2007-08-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Janesville leadership team met again on Sunday following the worship service to talk about vision and work on the characteristics and strengths of the next pastor. Reenie and I were there to lead the worship service and preach. We also had a chance to tour the parsonage. The congregation is doing well in the transition. Pastor Richard Concklin is stepping in to give part-time interim leadership to the congregation as they search for their new pastor. Richard and Jan have done an excellent job serving in short-term interim roles in several churches in Wisconsin.

Monday evening I met the second time with the Sand Lake board, working with them as they transition. They have also received the announcement that Pastor Jeff Bond is planning to leave Sand Lake and go on staff with Jim Maness later this fall. Jeff and Lori Bond began attending the Sand Lake church, started participating in the worship, felt a call to ministry, went on staff at the church, completed his ministerial education, and was ordained this summer. He and Lori will be missed by the congregation and the rest of the Wisconsin team. We wish them the very best in this new ministry venture.

Continue to pray for Nicaragua as the leadership searches for the right property to establish a district ministry center in Managua. As the work grows, the dream is to have a district office, a training center, a local church, a medical center and a micro-business facility. The plan is to purchase a piece of property, then have construction teams work alongside the Nicaraguans in building the facilities.

We are also asking individual churches or people to sponsor a student (minister or lay) to be educated for one year. $336 pays for one student to take at least three classes for one year. Missionaries Mike Knox and Jim Eckhardt are developing and teaching the classes. Our goal is 20 scholarships.

Mark your calendar for November 3 or 4 for an exciting and encouraging day of training and motivation for effective spiritual formation in our local churches. Dr. Jim Dunn and the other spiritual formation department heads will be in Wisconsin on these two days. It is for pastors, adult, youth and children spiritual formation directors and teachers – whether Sunday School, small group, or other leaders. The southwest and southeast regions of the state will meet on Saturday, November 3 in Madison at the Crosspoint Nazarene church. The north region will meet on Sunday November 4 afternoon/early evening at the Spooner Wesleyan church.

Dates for your Information

September 1-4 South Carolina
September 5-13 Nicaragua Medical Team trip
September 9 Woodland visit
September 16 Washington, MI
September 23 Drop in visit
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class (Intro. to OT)
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee
September 30 Safe Harbor visit

October 7 Sand Lake visit
October 9-10 OWU Visit, GS/DS Meetings
October 12-17 Vacation
October 21 Spooner visit
October 23 DBDM
October 27 DBA
October 28 Drop in visit

Team Wisconsin Update

2007-08-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Pastor Josh Hilty and Jamie are doing a great job leading Baraboo through a refocusing process. In addition to ministering to the people of the existing congregation, they are working hard to connect with new and younger people in the community. There are some new people connecting with Christ and the church and being discipled by the Hiltys. They have done a significant amount of work developing a plan for upgrading the facilities – new furniture, lights, etc. After a wonderful lunch prepared by Jamie, we went over the prices and plans. A couple of weeks ago a team of adults and teens came from Brookhaven Wesleyan to help with a VBS and help with painting. They did a great job and were a huge encouragement to the congregation and the Hiltys.

News and Notes

Please pray especially for the people in the southwestern part of Wisconsin. Some places received six to seven inches of rain. In addition to roads and bridges damaged, there has been significant crop damage, resulting in loss of income for a lot of farmers. Wesleyan churches and the people in this part of the state are doing well, except for more than a few basements.

Continue to pray for Nicaragua as the leadership searches for the right property to establish a district ministry center. As the work grows, it is becoming a necessity to have a district office, a training center, and a central place for the district to call home. The property could also house a central church in Managua. We are asking for the funds to help with the purchase. The plan is to purchase a piece of property, then have construction teams work alongside the Nicaraguans in building the facilities.

We are also asking individual churches or people to sponsor a student (minister or lay) to be educated for one year. $336 pays for one student to take at least three classes for one year. Missionaries Mike Knox and Jim Eckhardt are developing and teaching the classes. Our goal is 20 scholarships.

Mark your calendar for November 3 or 4 for an exciting and encouraging day of training and motivation for effective spiritual formation in our local churches. Dr. Jim Dunn and the other spiritual formation department heads will be in Wisconsin on these two days. It is for pastors, adult, youth and children spiritual formation directors and teachers – whether Sunday School, small group, or other leaders. The southwest and southeast regions of the state will meet on Saturday, November 3 in Madison at the Crosspoint Nazarene church. The north region will meet on Sunday November 4 afternoon/early evening at the Spooner Wesleyan church.

Dates for your Information

August 26 Janesville visit/meet with Board
August 27 Sand Lake Board

September 1-4 South Carolina
September 5-13 Nicaragua Medical Team trip
September 9 Woodland visit
September 16 Washington, MI
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class (Intro. to OT)
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee
September 30 Safe Harbor visit

Team Wisconsin Update

2007-08-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I found myself, along with Reenie, in Mukwonago, a beautiful bedroom community southwest of Milwaukee. It was their annual outdoor service and picnic. New assistant Pastor Stevan Sheets preached a good message challenging us to “stand out” as believers. Stevan, Jessica and their daughter just moved from northern Indiana about a month ago to lead the student ministries. Steven also has the distinction of being a roommate of our son Brent at IWU and one of the five ‘compadres’. It was a great day, even though the strong storms blew the tent (and it wasn’t a little one) down the night before. Pastor Gerry and Wenda Krupp, along with Pastor Stevan and the leadership team are excited about the future and working hard to make it happen.

Saturday evening Reenie and I had dinner with Jason and Alya Butler at their home and caught up on the good things that are happening with the preliminary work for a new church plant in north Milwaukee – Transformation City Church. Check out their new website at http://www.transformationcity.org/. Perhaps you would like to get involved by becoming a member of the launch team, pray for them, or give to the ministry. It was an excellent Russian (Alya is from Russia) meal and an encouraging visit.

The Leadership Summit at Willow was an excellent time of training and encouragement on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There were 15 that attended the one in Chicago and others that attended other satellite sites. Among the speakers were Colin Powell, former president Jimmy Carter, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina and British Filmmaker Richard Curtis. John Ortberg, author and pastor from California, hit a home run when he talked about the leader’s great fear – the temptation to give into a substitute or ‘shadow’ mission that will sidetrack the main mission that God has called us to. Each year we give Eagle awards at district conference and this year it was a scholarship to attend the leadership summit.

News and Notes

Pastor Jim Maness has announced his resignation from Sand Lake this past week to his board and congregation. He and Teri and family will be moving to Michigan to take a pastorate there. The move will take place the first of October. Please pray for the Maness family and the congregation during this time of transition. The Manesses have been there for 15 years and were only the 3rd pastor in the church’s 25 years.

Please continue to pray for Bessie Winterberg, Pastor Dwayne Winterberg’s mother. She still has many health complications.

Dates for your Information

August 19 Parkway visit
August 26 Janesville visit

September 1-4 South Carolina
September 5-13 Nicaragua Medical Team trip
September 9 Woodland visit
September 16 Washington, MI
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class (Intro. to OT)
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee
September 30 Safe Harbor visit

Team Wisconsin Update 8/7/07

2007-08-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon was spent with Pastor Daniel Munoz and his congregation, Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana, in Milwaukee. The children, coming off of their VBS week, performed. Two Christian clowns from Puerto Rico led the music and program. Framaris and her staff did an outstanding job with the children. They went every morning for 4 hours, doing crafts, Bible stories, singing, even feeding the children breakfast and lunch. At the service, attended by about 75, we also presented the Eagle award to Pastor Daniel for their growth of 67% this past year. I also had the privilege of officially organizing the church – the first Wesleyan Hispanic congregation in Wisconsin. Afterwards, Reenie and I visited the Munoz’ home and met with the leadership team. Daniel is taking his adult members through the same FLAMA courses that pastors preparing for ministry are taking. Also, there are three developing Hispanic ministries now in Wisconsin – in Rice Lake, Minong and Wisconsin Rapids.

Sunday morning Reenie and I were privileged to worship with Pastor Ron Gormong and the Spooner Wesleyan Church. The worship and the message were great. Pastor Ron is preaching through the book of Ephesians. His messages are always excellent, Biblical and call people to a point of decision. The congregation was challenged from Ephesians 5 to live a life that is characterized by thanksgiving and gratitude, purity and love as opposed to lust, greed, and vulgar, foolish and coarse conversation. Pastor Chopper Brown also did a wonderful job as he led us in celebrating the Lord’s Supper in the service – always a meaningful and beautiful experience.

Later in the morning we were also able to worship with Pastor Ben Kidder and The River congregation in Minong. Again, the worship and the message were great. Pastor Ben preached a strong message from Matthew that is to be a defining part of the ministry passion and philosophy of this new and developing church. The River will be defined by its compassion and acts of service to its community and world. This growing congregation was called to get off the bench and get in the game by serving the poor, visiting the sick, and helping the needy along with serving in the nursery and helping in the church. They now have two services on Sunday morning and are developing a plan for future facilities as they are already running out of space where they are.

Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to be with Pastor Mark Wilson and the Hayward congregation for lunch and their baptismal service at a local lake. It was thrilling to see all six of the pastoral staff – pastors Mark, Ben, Heath, Loretta, Jeremy and Tim – standing in the water for about an hour baptizing 49 people. There were children, youth, young adults, entire families, a lady in her 70’s, a man in his 60’s, and one four generation family (great-grandma, grandma, mom and daughter) that shared their testimonies and gave witness to their new life in Christ. A baptismal service is like the culmination of a process. You prepare the soil, plant the seed, water it, weed, wait and watch God work. Baptism is like harvesting those new ears of corn, putting a little butter and salt on them, and sinking your teeth into them - sweet and satisfying to your spirit.

Later that afternoon we then met with Pastor LeRoy Drake and the leaders of Gull Lake to deal with closure issues for the congregation. I cannot say enough about how gracious and wonderful they have been in this process of closing the church, from the attitude they’ve exhibited to the desire to bless church planting and the kingdom with everything the Lord has blessed them with.

News and Notes

Thank you for praying for Bessie Winterberg, Pastor Dwayne Winterberg’s mother. She came through the surgery well. She has had a lot of infection in her knee for an extended time. She will need additional surgery in the near future.

Please pray for Merea and Jerome Bragg this week. Merea is my administrative assistant. Their sister in law died of cancer over the weekend and the funeral is today (Tuesday). She leaves a young family behind.

Dates for your Information

August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 11 Jason/Alya – Transformation City
August 12 Our Savior’s, Mukwonago visit
August 19 Parkway visit
August 26 Janesville visit

September 1-4 South Carolina
September 5-13 Nicaragua Medical Team trip
September 9 Woodland visit
September 16 Washington, MI
September 25-27 District Flame Extension Class (Intro. to OT)
September 26 Nicaragua Partnership Committee
September 30 Safe Harbor visit

Team Wisconsin Update

2007-07-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Pastor LeRoy and Dorene Drake were honored this week as he steps down from active pastoral ministry. Thursday night about 50 specially invited guests – family, friends, fellow pastors – gathered to honor and celebrate his 43 years of ministry, all of them in the Wisconsin district. Sunday morning was a bitter sweet service as, once again, Pastor LeRoy and his wife, Dorene Drake, were honored. It was a beautiful service, even with everyone realizing that it would be the final one as the Gull Lake Wesleyan church. The entire Drake family was present, leading the worship service and doing a variety of musical selections. I was privileged to share the message and commissioned the members of the congregation to go out and serve Christ wherever He leads them. Appropriately, Pastor Drake led the congregation in celebrating communion as the final act of worship.

What is really cool is that Gull Lake’s offering on their 90th anniversary celebration was designated to go for church planting. The property will be sold, with the proceeds to go to church planting. And all of their equipment and furnishings that can be used will be distributed to any of the six newest congregations that have been started in the past few years. We celebrate with Pastor Drake and the Gull Lake congregation the ministry they had over the past 90 years, but also the way they will continue to impact the ministry of the Wesleyan church for years to come through the distribution of their people and resources into the mission field here in Wisconsin.

News and Notes

Senior High Camp is on! Pray for them this week that God will do what He wants to do in the lives of our senior high youth. And don’t forget to pray for Chopper Brown and his team.

Nicaragua Partnership has added two major projects this year, in addition to the other ongoing ministries. The first one is to find a property and building a district ministry center and central Wesleyan church. The second one is to provide funding for leadership training for the pastors and leaders in the churches. TEE is Theological Education by Extension. TEE is being produced and taught by missionaries Mike Knox and Jim Eckhardt. The cost per student per year is only $336 (which includes all expenses for 3-4 classes). Our goal this year is to have 25 student scholarships. 25 individuals or local churches, or combinations of local churches would cover the needs for this year. Our first donation was given by Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana, our newest and most under-resourced church in the district. Hats off to Daniel Munoz and their congregation. To make contributions, make the check to “Wisconsin District Nicaragua Partnership” and send to Irene Tripp.

World Hope has added the Friends of the King School in Tipitapa to their child sponsorship program. This is a brand new school that has started out of the Tipitapa church – Amigitos Del Rey. A delegation from World Hope was there last spring and distributed school packs to students at several schools in Nicaragua, including the ones that are affiliated with the Wesleyan church. They are accepting 25 sponsorship applications through their Hope for Children project. Please pray that these children will find sponsors quickly. You can go to the World Hope website http://www.worldhope.org/ for information on how to sponsor a child. If you are interested, you need to put a comment in the comment section that you want a child from Nicaragua -05 project or Tipitapa. You will be sent a child’s bio and photo along with a welcome booklet that explains the HFC program in detail.

Please pray especially for Bessie Winterberg, Pastor Dwayne Winterberg’s mother, as she faces a difficult surgery on Wednesday. Bessie is a member of the Beulah Wesleyan church.

Dates for your Information

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 4 Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana visit
August 5 The River, Spooner, Hayward visit
Meet with Gull Lake leaders
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 11 Jason/Alya – Transformation City
August 12 Our Savior’s, Mukwonago visit
August 19 Parkway visit

Team Wisconsin Update

2007-07-26T07:38:00.001-07:00

Dennis and Sela Jones moved from Eastern New York a few weeks ago and are settling into a very nicely remodeled home at the Beulah Wesleyan church. The congregation, who has been without a pastor for several months, took the opportunity to do some significant upgrades to the home beside the church – new bathroom on the main level, new hall and laundry room, and an all new kitchen. A special thanks goes to Chuck Davis, vice chair, and the board, for their leadership and hard work in maintaining the ministry during the time of transition. I had the privilege of installing Pastor Dennis on Sunday, then Reenie and I enjoyed the tour of the home and dinner with them. Pastor Dennis and the congregation are excited about the future!

News and Notes

Youth Camp starts next Monday. For registration information, go to the website http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/. They’re anticipating a great week at SkyLodge camp in Montello, WI. Chopper Brown and his team have done great preparing. God has plans for each of the teens’ lives. Pray that every one of them will hear from God and many will experience life change.

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is near the end of the recruiting time for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

World Hope has added the Friends of the King School in Tipitapa to their child sponsorship program. This is a brand new school that has started out of the Tipitapa church – Amigitos Del Rey. A delegation from World Hope was there last spring and distributed school packs to students at several schools in Nicaragua, including the ones that are affiliated with the Wesleyan church. They are accepting 25 sponsorship applications through their Hope for Children project. Please pray that these children will find sponsors quickly. You can go to the World Hope website http://www.worldhope.org/ for information on how to sponsor a child. If you are interested, you need to put a comment in the comment section that you want a child from Nicaragua -05 project or Tipitapa. You will be sent a child’s bio and photo along with a welcome booklet that explains the HFC program in detail.

Jeff Anderson, pastor of the Janesville church, has resigned and will be leaving to take an administrative position with his Alma Mater, Vennard College in Iowa. Jeff and Betsy and their family have been at Janesville for eight years, steadily growing and refocusing the church every year. Their last Sunday will be August 12. We wish them the very best as they prepare for a new chapter in their lives. Remember to pray for the Janesville church as they prepare for this transition.

Dates for your Information

July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 4 Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana visit
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 11 Jason/Alya – Transformation City
August 12 Our Savior’s, Mukwonago visit

Leading a great team.

Your Servant,

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 7/17/07

2007-07-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

Pastor Alan and Irene Tripp started ministry at the Burr and Valley churches before our second son was even born. Last weekend the two churches honored them for 25 years of faithful ministry. Alan and Irene’s entire family was there. The people had planned all of the events and services for the day, leaving the Tripps with nothing to do but show up and smile a lot. Following the two services, a dinner was served at the Valley church. Then, it was back up the hill for cake and a reception in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day. Two congregations really appreciate their pastor. And two people, Pastor Alan and Irene Tripp, really love their congregations. Congratulations to Pastor Alan and Irene on good, faithful and fruitful ministry. And congratulations to the Burr and Valley churches for being the kind of good, healthy congregations that make it possible for a pastor to survive and thrive in a long term ministry!

News and Notes

Speaking of celebrations, the Hayward Wesleyan church had a special celebration for Pastor Ben and Lois Drown, in honor of their 50 years of ministry in the Wesleyan church. After having served congregations as the lead pastor in Wisconsin, Pastor Ben “sort of retired” and moved to Hayward to serve on staff. Not knowing the meaning of ‘slow down’, he jumped in and has done pastoral care there ever since. Congratulations to Ben and Lois. We celebrate, along with them, the faithfulness and the way they have served the Lord and His church.

At the end of this month, Les and Linda Burch will be leaving for Colorado to take a pastorate there. Les has been working through the ministerial preparation courses and has almost completed the work. They have been members of the Sand Lake Wesleyan church, serving as lay people there while preparing for ministry. We wish them well. Pray for them in their move and as they start their ministry there.

Jesse and Krissy Hamble are leaving Red Cedar the end of the summer. Jesse grew up in northern Wisconsin, worked in Rice Lake and eventually came on staff as the Pastor of Celebration Arts. After giving really good leadership on staff, they feel called to full-time music ministry on the road. Pray for them as they transition out of the local church and go on the road.

Please pray for Paul and Beth Myers and both of their families. Paul is assistant pastor at Hales Corners Wesleyan. Last Wednesday Beth’s grandmother fell, hit her head, and died later on that evening. Sunday night Paul’s grandmother died at the hospice she was at. The disease she had caused her body to quit producing blood platelets. She passed away in her sleep.

Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team – Great Story!

A couple of weeks ago we had a great team of teenagers come to Nicaragua to do a series of vacation Bible schools in area churches. Included in each VBS was a station in which the children received a new pair of shoes. One of the churches really used the event to leverage its own outreach to unchurched kids in the community. Here’s the story from missionary Mike Knox:

At the end of the week there were some shoes leftover. In the past we've given them to other churches or schools. But this year we decided to try something different. One of our pastoral couples, Alfonso and Connie, have a "pulperia"--a little store--in their home. Connie used to sell clothes on the street but when her manager asked her to move to a route in a more dangerous part of the city, she decided to open the pulperia instead. They have done well, and have been making monthly payments on a refrigerator that they bought from the mission for their business. The money from the sale of the fridge goes back to the national church to be made available for other micro-loans. So this year, looking for another way to maximize the benefits of the shoes, the youth team agreed to give the leftovers to Connie to sell in her little store, but with the understanding that one half of all the profits would go back to the national church to augment the micro-loan fund.

Mike Knox dropped in to visit Connie and Alfonso a few days later, and Connie told him this great story: Three years ago she had a dream that someone gave her a boat-load of shoes to sell. She shared the dream with her family and a couple of friends and it became something of a running refrain between her and one friend that when they would run into one another on occasion, she would say, "I'm still waiting for my shoes!" Connie told Mike that she had just recently run into this friend and she had told him, as usual, "I'm still waiting for my shoes!" So when Mike delivered about 100 pairs of shoes to her a few days later, it was a surprise but not totally unexpected. The Lord had given her a vision three years earlier that one day He would provide her with a bunch of shoes to sell.

God is at work in Nicaragua, as He is all over the world. Thanks to many, many of you for your prayers and gifts to help establish a new Wesleyan district in Central America.

Dates for your Information

July 22 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 4 Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana visit
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 11 Jason/Alya – Transformation City
August 12 Our Savior’s, Mukwonago visit

Team Wisconsin Update 7/11/2007

2007-07-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening and Sunday at the end of June were beautiful days of celebration for 90 years of ministry for the Gull Lake church. Saturday evening was highlighted by a pig (and we’re talking the whole thing) roast and a concert. Sunday morning featured a lot of music and the sharing of memories by congregants and former pastors Rev. Russell Buck and John Heavilin. Rev. O.S. Warner and a layman, Frank Hotchkiss, opened and pioneered the work at Gull Lake in 1917. For a number of years the church was on a circuit with the Chitimo church, located east of Minong. Now, after 90 years of faithful service, they have come to realize that times have changed, the community has changed, and the demographics have changed. 19 different pastors have served the church alongside many faithful lay people. The past 15 have been under Rev. LeRoy Drake’s leadership. It is with some sadness that they have come to the end of this chapter, but it is also a celebration of the lives that have been changed over the years and the anticipation of investing the talents and resources of the people and the facilities to assist and plant other congregations in the future.

Nothin’

That’s how much work I did for the district for a whole week. Lots. That’s how much time I spent with family. Brent and Laura and our first grandson Jackson came for a few days, so I got to do the ‘grandpa’ thing. It was wonderful! Brice and his girlfriend Brittany came for about four days. On Friday he asked her to marry him and she said “yes”, so we are going to have a new daughter-in-law sometime next spring. That was wonderful! Then, last weekend we had the Bickel reunion – mom and dad, six kids and their families. You can imagine the zoo that was. Well, maybe you can’t. Anyway, that was wonderful, too.

News and Notes

Please continue to pray for Mary Coolidge as she deals with the loss of her husband and colleague in ministry, Skip. She is taking a short respite from ministry. Jack Martiny, assistant at Mt. Pisgah, will be ministering to the Woodland congregation during this time.

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is now recruiting for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

Dates for your Information

July 8 Vacation
July 15 Burr/Valley
July 22 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 4 Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana visit
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
August 11 Jason/Alya – Transformation City
August 12 Our Savior’s, Mukwonago visit

Leading a great team.

Your Servant,

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent

Team Wisconsin Update 6/27/2007

2007-06-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

I had a good day with Pastor Bob Streeter and the Pisgah congregation and leadership team. Following a good worship hour we headed for the fellowship hall, shared lunch and had a good conversation about the “12 church health profile factors”, identifying the top and bottom three – the strength areas and the growth areas. Pastor Bob has continued to lead the church in numerical, financial, and spiritual growth. They continue to see new people coming to the church and coming to Christ. In about a month they are planning to start a Saturday night service with a whole different style and approach to the service. Their desire is to try to reach more and different people through this new ministry. They have also brought on a part-time person to assist in the ministry. Jack and Jeanie Martiny, Bob’s father and mother in law, have moved to the area to help with the work.

Sunday afternoon I had the privilege of visiting Dorothy Clark in her apartment and presented her with the 50 years of service award as an ordained minister in Wisconsin. Dorothy was unable to make it to District conference where the awards were given. Dorothy has pastored in this district and is now a member of the Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church. She has just recently found out that she has pancreatic cancer and it has spread to the lungs. Please add Dorothy to your prayer list during this time.

News and Notes

Middle School Camp is happening this week at Riverside Camp. I paid a visit to this first ever middle school camp. They have over 110 campers with about 30 staff. These numbers have already maxed out the facilities. The speaker did a great job speaking and the teens are having a great time. Jeremy Mavis and the workers have done a wonderful job in preparing and pulling this week off for the group. Pray for the staff to survive the week and for God to impact these young, impressionable hearts with the gospel.

The Youth Nicaraguan Missions team is also happening this week, until Friday, June 29. Thanks for your prayers as they wrap up their trip, ministering to, and alongside the Nicaraguans to help make a difference for the Lord and the Wesleyan church there in Nicaragua.

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is now recruiting for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at http://us.f592.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

The 2007 Annual District Conference is history. Here are some snapshot highlights:
· Church planting offering of $1,775
· One of 300 award to Rice Lake Red Cedar for Hispanic church ministry launch (This is their 2nd one in 8 years)
· Commissioning and announcement of two more church plants to be launched this year – Jason Butler and Transformation City, and a 2nd Hispanic in Milwaukee.
· Two great messages and rallies with Mick Veach
· Celebration of LeRoy Drake’s retirement and 43 years of ministry in Wisconsin
· 50 years of service awards to Dorothy Clark, David Crail, John Clarke, John Heavilin, Ben Drown and Russell Buck
· Eagle Awards to Daniel Munoz and Iglesia Wesleyana (67% increase), Kevin O’Connor and Northern Lakes (30% increase) and Milt Van Natta and Baker Street (13% increase)
· The ordination of six people – Chris Atkins, Jeff Bond, Heath Davis, Chris Javner, Daniel Munoz, and Milt Van Natta. This may be the first time we’ve ever ordained six at one district conference.

Thank you to Pastor Jim Maness, Jeff Bond and the entire staff and congregation of Sand Lake for a great job in hosting the event!

Dates for your Information

June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 8 Vacation
July 15 Burr/Valley
July 22 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit

2007-06-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

On Father’s Day Reenie and I paid a visit to the Janesville church. Pastor Jeff Anderson leads this congregation. Betsy Anderson, his wife, leads the children’s ministry during the second half of the service just about every Sunday. After leading worship and music, Pastor Jeff had a good message on dealing with stress, taking Jesus’ advice from the Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Jeff is working with his leadership team to plant a vision for how they are going to impact Rock County with the gospel. New ministries and new churches are a part of the plan. Betsy has just completed her education for elementary education. Congratulations to Betsy on this milestone. Jeff and Betsy have two darling daughters.

News and Notes

Kids Camps finished up on Friday and proved to be a great experience again for all of the kids. In addition to a great week of fun and activities, the children were challenged to make decisions to become followers of Christ, learn Scripture and developing meaningful relationships with other kids from across the church. Thanks for praying. Only God knows the long term impact a week in the summer can bring to a child’s life. Thanks to Jeremy and Jim and their wonderful staff for the investment of time and energy.

Middle School Camp starts next Sunday evening, June 24. 6th – 8th graders will meet for the first time at Riverside Camp. After a lot of conversation and work, the children’s and youth camp leaders determined that a middle school camp was needed. Two reasons – one was to help the overcrowding of the kids camp and the other one was to enhance the effectiveness of the ministry both to middle schoolers and high schoolers. Information for registration, cost and directions can be found on the district website http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/ or by checking with the pastor or youth leader. Pray especially for Jeremy Mavis and his staff and all of the teens the next two weeks as they finish preparations and hold the camp June 24 – 29.

They’re leaving this week! Remember the Youth Nicaraguan Missions team as they prepare for their missions trip, June 21-29. They will work alongside the Nicaraguan youth leaders to help establish a district wide youth ministry, do VBS child evangelism with the Nicaraguan teens, distribute shoes to make ‘happy feet’ and help paint the new school in Tipitapa that our construction team helped build this winter. Pray for the 16 member team as they prepare. Remember Ann and Suzy as they lead the team.

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is now recruiting for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

The 2007 Annual District Conference starts Thursday at 12:30 PM, with registration at 11:30 AM at the Sand Lake Wesleyan Church in Onalaska, WI. Remember to pray for these special things – Mick Veach as he challenges us in the two rallies, the new church planters as they share their hearts and vision, the church planting offering on Thursday, the ordination service with the 6 candidates and their spouses. Please remember to pray for our time together.

Dates for your Information

June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 8 Vacation
July 15 Burr/Valley
July 22 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit

Team Wisconsin Update 6/15/07

2007-06-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Pastor Scott Smith leads this congregation on the west side of Milwaukee. His heart for missions and church planting is evident in this congregation. Ann and Suzy are the two inspirational leaders of the youth Nicaragua team that is heading south next week. Pastor Scott has also led his congregation to raise the assessment by 1% in order to have a regular way of setting aside funds to help plant churches in Wisconsin. Their congregation is beginning to pray for the new church plants in Milwaukee that are being planned for this year.

After the service, I met with Westbrooke’s leadership team and worked through the 12 church health profile factors. It was a meaningful and beneficial time together as we wrestled with and discussed ideas, dreams and concerns in forging a vision for the future. Scott and Pam Smith have three children. Their youngest is going on her first mission’s trip to Nicaragua this summer.

News and Notes

Kids Camps are in full swing this week. Remember to pray for the leaders and campers. They will all have a great time. Pray that God will be free to do His work in their young and tender hearts. Jeremy Mavis, staff pastor at Hayward, is leading the northern kid’s camp. Jim Maness, lead pastor at Sand Lake, is leading the southern kid’s camp.

Remember the Youth Nicaraguan Missions team as they prepare for their missions trip, June 21-29. They will work alongside the Nicaraguan youth leaders to help establish a district wide youth ministry, do VBS child evangelism with the Nicas, distribute shoes to make ‘happy feet’ and even help paint the new school that our construction team helped build this winter. Pray for the team of about 16 members as they prepare their hearts spiritually and as they finish all of the details. Remember Ann and Suzy as they lead the team.

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is now recruiting for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

The 2007 Annual District Conference will convene next Thursday at 12:30 PM, with registration at 11:30 AM at the Sand Lake Wesleyan Church in Onalaska, WI. Remember to pray for these special things – Mick Veach as he challenges us in the two rallies, the new church planters as they share their hearts and vision, the church planting offering on Thursday, the ordination service with the 6 candidates and their spouses. We do have to take care of some business, but what we need more than anything is the presence and power of God to touch our pastors and churches. Please remember to pray, and as the Lord leads, to fast, for our time together.

Dates for your Information

June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 13-14 Wesleyan Women’s Ministry Summit
June 17 Drop in Visit (Father’s Day)
June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 8 Vacation
July 15 Burr/Valley – Tripp’s 25 years of service celebration Sunday
July 22 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
July 29 Gull Lake – LeRoy Drake Retirement Sunday

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp
August 9-11 Willow Creek Leadership Summit

Team Wisconsin Update 6/7/07

2007-06-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

I had a great morning at Our Savior’s in Mukwonago, located just southwest of the greater Milwaukee area. Pastor Gerry Krupp preached a good message after an inspirational time of singing and worship led by Wenda Krupp, the worship team, band, brass ensemble and children’s choir. Our Savior’s is in transition this month. Assistant Pastor Jason Butler will be leaving the end of this month. He and Alya will be moving to North Milwaukee to develop a core group and plant the Transformation City church beginning in July. Alya, who is from Russia, is spending the next few weeks in her home country with their son. Stevan and Jessica Sheets will be joining Our Savior’s the first week of July.

Transformation City Church

Jason and Alya are excited about the potential of beginning a new congregation in North Milwaukee. He and Alya have found a home in the neighborhood where they will begin the work of developing their leadership team. Over lunch Jason and I had a good conversation sharing our ideas and vision for the new church. He will be sharing his vision at district conference and we will be taking a church planting offering on Thursday night. We would encourage as many who can to participate in this church plant by becoming a prayer partner.

News and Notes

Reenie and I are grandparents! Brent and Laura have a son – Jackson Daniel. He was born June 5 at 7:32 PM, and came into this world at 20 ¼”, 6 lbs. 12 oz. Reenie headed to Williston, ND to begin the grandma thing this week. Congratulations on becoming a father, Brent, on becoming an uncle, Brice and on becoming grandma, Reenie. And way to go, Laura! From what I understand, mama did all the work.

Uncle Eldine

Last week Reenie’s uncle died in an accident in Marion, IN. We traveled to Indiana for the viewing and funeral on Monday and Tuesday. Rev. Eldine Landis planted the Bethel Heights church in Muncie, IN. Our family was one of the families that helped start the church. He also was my pastor in college, later becoming my senior pastor when I began ministry. His defining ministry was Brookhaven Wesleyan in Marion. His ministry was characterized by a huge, loving heart for people. Reenie’s uncle was a good man and a wonderful pastor. He will be missed.

Nicaragua

The fall Medical Team to Nicaragua is now recruiting for team members. The dates are September 5-13, 2007. Information can be accessed at the Eau Claire Wesleyan church's web site: http://www.ecwesleyan.net/. Contact Hannah Peterson for further information at kentandhannah1@hotmail.com or call 715-878-4961. Applications should be sent to Hannah Peterson as soon as possible. Both medical and non-medical people are needed. People can contribute used eyeglasses and new toothbrushes.

The Youth team will be doing their ministry trip in a couple of weeks, June 21-29. They’ll be working with the youth of Nicaragua to do evangelism for children, distribute shoes and help establish a youth ministry in the country. Pray for Suzy and Ann and the team as they finish up their preparations for this summer ministry.

Kids Camps

Northern and Southern Kids camps begin next Monday. Go to the website http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/ to pull up registration information. Pray for directors Jim Maness and Jeremy Mavis and their teams and for God to work in the hearts of our children.

Dates for your Information

June 10 Westbrooke Visit/Board
June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 13-14 Wesleyan Women’s Ministry Summit
June 17 Drop in Visit (Father’s Day)
June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp

Team Wisconsin Update 5/29/07

2007-05-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday afternoon Skip Coolidge left this world to take a one way trip to heaven. Mary Coolidge, his wife and pastor of the Woodland Wesleyan church, continues to experience God’s grace and strength through the prayers of her friends and colleagues in ministry. Skip and Mary were married about 26 years ago, just a few years after he had lost his first wife. After serving in the military and working for a few years, God called him to ministry. He began his ministry in the Nazarene church, then later was called to pastor in the Wesleyan church in Colorado. Under the encouragement and mentoring by Skip, Mary also prepared for ministry and began ministering alongside her husband. Because he was over 20 years older than Mary, and due to his declining health the past several years, Mary began to take the lead in their ministry. Four years ago they came to Woodland where she was called to be their pastor, with Skip assisting.

On Sunday afternoon, the family, congregation and friends gathered for a memorial service. His son, Greg, also a minister, shared a wonderful tribute to his father. Mary and others from the family and congregation also shared words of tribute and honor. He was a man that was faithful to his family. He was incredibly creative and able to fix just about anything. He was tenacious, kind, gentle, faithful, committed to his principles, and a gifted servant and shepherd. Among other things, the defining characteristics of his ministry were his smile and handshake – something he always gave to every person every week. He was a faithful servant of Christ and he will be missed as a colleague of the Wisconsin leadership team.

Please continue to remember Mary especially in your prayers as she begins to walk the path of life and ministry without her husband.

News and Notes
Eau Claire has a new assistant pastor for spiritual formation and outreach. Matt and Kendra Ohime will be joining the staff with Pastor Dwayne Winterberg, coming from LaPorte, IN. Matt and Kendra just recently returned from Romania, serving as missionaries there for the past five years.
Rob McDowell, former assistant in Eau Claire, has accepted a staff position at a Wesleyan church in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He will be working with Jay Guptill.
Good news from Nicaragua and the Eckhardts.
· Julie Eckhardt’s test results for cancer came back clear.
· The first course, taught by Mike Knox, at the Bible school is about over and the attendance and participation has continued to be great.
· The Amigos del Rey church has opened another preaching point—their 3rd this year!

Prayer list for Nicaragua
· Pray for the Sprung family, Matt, Manda & Isaac, as they prepare to travel to Nicaragua on June 3 for a 2 month internship.
· Pray for the Knox and Eckhardt children as finish their school year in June.
· Pray for the search for a building site for the Nicaragua Ministry Center—we have a good possibility, but need to do some more research.
· Pray for the Mount Horeb church. We have been attending there and helping with the Sunday School Program.
· Pray for Jim as he prepares to teach the next course at the Bible school starting in July.

The Wisconsin district website is up and running – http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/. It is still under construction and will continue to be expanded. Check it out.

Pastors,
· Remember May 31 is the absolute deadline for the submission of ALL reports. It is critical that all reports be in on time because of the short time to process and prepare the reports for our annual conference. If you have any questions, feel free to call Mark Holmes, District Secretary.
· A reminder to have your church continue sending in their monthly USF amounts at the same rate as last year for the first month or two. You will be notified of what the amounts will be for the 2007/2008 fiscal year, as always, at district conference. Any adjustments can be made then.
· Northern and Southern Kids camps are coming soon. Pastor Jim Maness and Pastor Jeremy Mavis are working hard with their teams to make a great week for the kids across the district. Pastors have information for registration. Information is also on the website.
· June 4 is the deadline for you and your delegates and congregation to sign up for the meals at district conference. Sand Lake is providing two meals for us, but we need to have you all send in your information. The form is on the back page of the District Conference/Family retreat brochure. Meals are $5 per person for those 12 and over. Kids younger than 12 are free.

Dates for your Information

May 31 Local Church Statistical and other District Reports Deadline

June 1-2 Wesleyan Church Doctrinal Symposium – International Center
June 3 Drop in Visit
June 10 Westbrooke Visit/Board
June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 13-14 Wesleyan Women’s Ministry Summit
June 17 Drop in Visit (Father’s Day)
June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp

Team Wisconsin Update 5/22/07

2007-05-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

One’s on the hill. One’s in the valley. Pastor Alan Tripp leads them both. He, along with his wife Irene, has been giving capable leadership to these two congregations for almost 25 years. Both Alan and Irene have roots in the Wisconsin district and have served in many different capacities including District Secretary and Nicaragua Partnership team leaders and members. The Valley church is going on 120 years of age and has served the small community and surrounding area faithfully with the gospel all those years. The Burr church just celebrated 150 years of age last year and is still going strong. They’ve recently added new chairs to the back third to accommodate the people. Pastor Tripp tells me that in a few weeks they will have 8 children under the age of 1. After speaking in both of the churches we had a good meeting with each of the boards through the afternoon.

News and Notes

Annette Burger, a former DBA member (Greg Burger, her husband has also served on the DBA for a number of years), had successful surgery with a good prognosis and results. No cancer was found in the lymph nodes.

Continue to pray for Skip Coolidge, assistant pastor with Mary Coolidge from the Woodland church. He continues to lose strength and finds it difficult to keep food down. He is now receiving hospice care in the home.

The River, the new developing church in Minong, is already running out of space. They went to two services on Mother’s Day and had 135 people, the same number as on Easter Sunday. And this is cool. For mother’s day, this new baby congregation paid for all the flowers for the mothers at Hayward. It was their way of saying thank you for Hayward being the mother church to them.

The Wisconsin district website is up and running – http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/. It is still under construction and will continue to be expanded. Check it out.

Jesse Hamble, Worship and arts director at Rice Lake Red Cedar, had his first concert in his hometown of Turtle Lake before a home crowd of several hundred. His was the first of several Christian concerts slated for the town as a way of trying to reach people for Christ. It was viewed a success because there were a couple of people who came to Christ.

The board that oversees the development of present and future ministers met last Saturday, processing a bunch of newly called people as well as those who have been on the journey a little longer. Ron Gormong, pastor of the Spooner church, leads the board and does a good and faithful job working with the many and varied people in the ministerial pipeline. Remember to pray for those who are in training and preparation for the great call of a lifetime.

Pastors, remember May 31 is the absolute deadline for the submission of ALL reports. It is critical that all reports be in on time because of the short time to process and prepare the reports for our annual conference. If you have any questions, feel free to call Mark Holmes, District Secretary.

Pastors, just a reminder to have your church continue sending in their monthly USF amounts at the same rate as last year for the first month or two. You will be notified of what the amounts will be for the 2007/2008 fiscal year, as always, at district conference. Any adjustments can be made then.

Northern and Southern Kids camps are coming soon. Pastor Jim Maness and Pastor Jeremy Mavis are working hard with their teams to make a great week for the kids across the district. Pastors have information for registration. Information is also on the website.

Dates for your Information

May 27 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation
May 31 Local Church Statistical and other District Reports Deadline

Looking Ahead

June 1-2 Wesleyan Church Doctrinal Symposium – International Center
June 3 Woodland Visit/Board
June 10 Westbrooke Visit/Board
June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 13-14 Wesleyan Women’s Ministry Summit
June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp

TEAM Wisconsin Update 5/16/07

2007-05-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Josh and Jamie Hilty moved to Baraboo from Indiana about eight months ago to give refocusing leadership to a church that was put on developing church status. They’re giving good leadership as they work to clean out a lot of years of things that haven’t been productive or useful. Some significant physical plant things have been addressed. They are also writing their mission, vision and core value statements along with working on a strategic plan for reaching a different preferred future. In the past couple of months, two of their neighbors have begun to attend and open their hearts to Josh and Jamie. Another young man is moving to the area and will be helping them soon. Continue praying for this developing church along with Rice Lake High Point and church plants The River, Northern Lakes, Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana Casa de Dios, and Safe Harbor.

Church Plants

The DBA has approved the ground work for establishing two more new congregations in Wisconsin this year. One is a north Milwaukee plant and a second one is a Hispanic plant in the Milwaukee/Waukesha area. Jason Butler has been approved to move forward with establishing a core group in north Milwaukee. He will be leaving Our Savior’s staff the end of June. We are in the search process for the pastor for the second Hispanic church plant.

Prayer and Notes

Kelvin Friebel, an ordained minister in Wisconsin and professor at Houghton University, lost his mother on Monday. Kelvin’s father was a pastor in the Wisconsin district for a number of years. Mary Friebel was living near Grand Rapids, MI. The funeral will be Friday afternoon. The family has requested that any memorials be given in her name to Hephzibah. Kelvin and the family would appreciate your prayers. We have requested that any memorials be given in my mom's name to Hephzibah.

Annette Burger, a former DBA member (Greg Burger, her husband has also served on the DBA for a number of years), has been diagnosed with cancer and will be going into surgery Wednesday, May 16. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Stevan Sheets, presently the assistant pastor at Warsaw Wesleyan in Indiana, will be joining the staff as Student Ministries Pastor at Our Savior’s the first week of July. We are excited to welcome the Stevan and Jessica Sheets family to the team.

Rice Lake Red Cedar has also begun to hold services once a month for a new Hispanic work there. A Bethany student, Damian Gonzalez, will be doing his internship there this summer and fall. Damian, who is fluent in Spanish and English, will be working with the Hispanic ministry as a part of his assignment.

For those interested, the present owners of Burr Camp are planning an auction on Tuesday, May 22. All furniture, equipment, etc., will be sold. For more information, you can call one of the pastors in the area – Pastor Roger Miller or Pastor Alan Tripp.

The Wisconsin district website is up and running – http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/. It is still under construction and will continue to be expanded. Check it out.

Dates for your Information

May 17 Meet with Dennis and Sela Jones
May 18 Jesse Hamble Concert – Turtle Lake
May 19 DBMD
May 20 Burr/Valley Visit/Boards
May 27 Beulah – Dennis Jones Installation (Memorial Day)
May 31 Local Church Statistical and other District Reports Deadline

Looking Ahead

June 1-2 Wesleyan Church Doctrinal Symposium – International Center
June 3 Woodland Visit/Board
June 10 Westbrooke Visit/Board
June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 13-14 Wesleyan Women’s Ministry Summit
June 20 DBA
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 24 Mt. Pisgah Visit/Board
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
June 21-29 Nicaragua Youth Ministry Team
June 30-July 1 Gull Lake 90th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp

Leading a great team.

Your Servant,

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent

TEAM Wisconsin Update

2007-05-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Located about 20 miles east of Highway 53 and Spooner, Pastor Don Berry, supply pastor, continues to give good leadership to the Stone Lake congregation that has a dream of moving back to full-time ministry leadership in the future. They have completed a new two-story fellowship/multi-purpose addition, which provides space for meetings, meals and their Monday evening Kids clubs. The basement is gradually being finished to eventually provide added classrooms and activity space. Don and Bea travel from their home in Rice Lake to minister to this congregation and community. It was a good day with the congregation. Following the meal with the people I had a good meeting with the Local Board. As always, Don and Bea were very gracious in their hospitality toward me. And, if you’re ever there at the Berry’s bed and breakfast, he makes a great breakfast and a fantastic bowl of oatmeal!

Prayer and Notes

We received word yesterday that Skip Coolidge, who has been in the hospital in Duluth, will be going home for Hospice care. He has several physical issues that, without a miracle, cannot be resolved. Continue to pray for Skip and Mary in this difficult time.

Lowell Davis, retired minister in Marshfield, has been moved to a health facility. He can still be reached by calling his home phone. He is still very weak and needs our continued prayers.

Dennis Jones and his wife arrived in Wisconsin last Friday. They are unpacking this week and beginning their ministry at Beulah. We welcome them and thank you for keeping up with the Joneses.

Rob and Julie McDowell, Assistant pastor at Eau Claire, plan to pack this week, then move on Monday, May 14. They are moving back to Canada. Their visas were not renewed, even though they have applied and completed the paperwork. The federal government agencies are at least two years behind in processing these applications. I was privileged to stop in for their farewell at the Eau Claire church. There were many personal tributes shared that confirmed a positive influence and impact by Rob and Julie on the church over the past six years. Rob and Julie also confirmed that the church has made a significant impact on their lives as they established their home and began their family there. We wish Rob and Julie the best of God’s blessing and favor as they move to another place of life and ministry.

Chris Atkins, Assistant Pastor at Eau Claire, and Amy, his fiancée, will be married in Ohio this Saturday. I’m guessing Pastor Dwayne will give him Mother’s Day Sunday off. Congratulations to Chris and Amy as they begin their married lives together. May God bless their marriage and their home.

Doctrinal Symposium

Ken Heer writes, “We are one month away from the Doctrinal Symposium that will be held at Wesleyan World Headquarters, June 1-2. Space is available if you have not registered but would like to attend, or if there is someone from your district you would like to send. Registration can be accomplished online at www.wesleyan.org/symposium, or by simply letting me know you want to attend. There is a $50 fee that covers food and materials.

I have begun to receive papers that will be delivered at the Symposium, and they are excellent. This should be a most important, interesting and informative meeting. The topics that will be presented and discussed should have direct bearing on issues of church polity and practice that will undoubtedly be debated at General Conference. I hope you will participate in it.”

Website

The Wisconsin district website is up and running – http://www.wisconsindistrict.org/. Kudos to Jesse Hamble, worship arts director at Red Cedar, for his great work in designing and putting it together, and Merea Bragg, my administrative assistant, for the work on the details and content.

Dates for your Information

May 13 Mother’s Day
May 15 Annual Service Reports Deadline
May 19 DBMD
May 20 Burr/Valley Visit/Boards
May 27 Memorial Day Sunday
May 31 Local Church Statistical Reports Deadline

Summer Events

June 11-15 Northern and Southern Kids camps
June 21-22 District Conference/Retreat/Ordination
June 24-29 Middle School Camp
July 30-Aug. 4 Senior High Camp

Leading a great team.

Your Servant,

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent

Welcome to the new Wisconsin District Website...

2007-05-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Over the next couple weeks we will be refining the new website, adding links and updating the content. You can check back soon to find the 2007 District Conference reports and journal. Hope things are going well!