Team Wisconsin Update 11-7-07

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