Team Wisconsin Update 4-16-08

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

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