Team Wisconsin Update 6/27/2007

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

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

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

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