ECD Curator Access
A warrior for the cause of Christ: Dr. Gerald Yellowhawk
Known for his quiet ways and love for the Lakota people, Dr. Gerald Yellowhawk (Jerry) continues to work towards his life passion of bringing the good news of Jesus to his people. At 82 years of age, he has finally given up traditional dancing because it is “hard on...
A Warm Welcome at New Pastor Orientation
This year’s Education and Clergy Development’s New Pastor Orientation welcomed 15 new pastors and their spouses to the Wesleyan community, with times of sharing, networking and advice. On October 11-12, new pastors, their spouses and seasoned Wesleyans met at...
A Dedicated Servant Scholar: Dr. Gary Cockeril
“Dr. Gary Cockerill is a passionate and dedicated servant scholar who has given his life to international ministry and to the training and mentoring of pastors, missionaries, and scholars.” ~Kerry Kind Godly. Dedicated. Passionate. Servant. These are common...
Ministry Training Program Information and Forms
Dear Ministry Training Program Leaders Over the last few years, our division has been working together with Wesleyan Ministerial Development Leaders (professors and DBMDs) to articulate new outcomes and goals for what it means to be a pastor in The Wesleyan Church....
Seeking Resurrection Life in Manhattan: Pastor Jenn Petersen Speaks on Church Multiplication, Urban Ministry and Co-Pastoring
Planting Seeds in Manhattan “Why don’t we have a Wesleyan church in downtown Manhattan?” That question, asked casually on a birthday trip to New York, planted a seed in Jenn and Branden Petersen’s hearts for church multiplication. At the time, Jenn and Branden had...
Professor Spotlight: Dr. Cathy Freytag Shares Her Ministry as Pastor-Teacher at Houghton College
For Dr. Cathy Freytag, teaching is more than instruction—it’s pastoral work. Her day-to-day ministry to her students is fueled by the time she spends each week with her church family. Pastor-teacher at Houghton College Cathy teaches in Houghton College’s Education...
Good Stewards of God’s Creation
Have you ever had the Holy Spirit confirm a calling? If so, you know these moments tend to be catalytic for your life trajectory. Brian Webb—the current Sustainability Director at Houghton College—recalls a moment when he was called to lead other believers in the...
Transformational Worship: Emily Vermilya Shares How Worship Prepared Her for Holistic Ministry
Emily Vermilya’s forte is church worship. She’s studied it, led it, and mentored others in it. A move to an Executive Pastor position sounded like a key change, but Emily found worship has far more to do with holistic ministry than just Sunday morning hymns. When...
‘Once In A Lifetime’ Happens Every Day: 4 Reasons Every Wesleyan Should Be Excited About Immigrant Connection
When it comes to immigration reform, The Wesleyan Church isn’t waiting for a political solution. We’ve taken action, empowering local churches to serve immigrants and refugees in our own communities. And, as Zach Szmara shares, you don’t want to miss the harvest....
Equipped and Encouraged: Justin Leininger Shares 3 Ways Houghton College Shaped His Ministry
Justin Leininger always knew he wanted to go to Houghton. After receiving the Lee Scholarship his freshman year, the door of his dream swung open. The lessons he learned at Houghton continue to influence his ministry today, reminding him to bring his whole self to his...
Servant among Servants: How Octogenarian Jon Heavilin Helps Out in His Hometown
Age hasn’t weakened Jon Heavilin’s heart for ministry. If anything, it’s taught him true servanthood. Now in his late 80s, Jon serves as a chaplain in Marion General Hospital’s Emergency Room. He’s there to serve the servants, assisting nurses and doctors with...
More to Unite than Divide: Stenway Louvé Shares How Diversity is the Church’s Greatest Strength
Stenway Louvé spent his childhood climbing coconut trees, fishing and playing soccer in Anse-a-Galets, Haiti. While he may be hard-pressed to find a coconut tree in Indiana, Stenway feels at home as a Resident Pastor at College Wesleyan Church. His international faith...
Atlantic District pilots THRIVE meetings for licensed ministers
Atlantic District pilots THRIVE meetings for licensed ministers The Atlantic District of The Wesleyan Church has launched a four-year pilot of THRIVE workshops for licensed ministers seeking ordination and in process with the District Board of Ministerial Development...
Strategically Non-Linear
Strategically Non-Linear: 3 Lessons from Zach Aument’s Roundabout Journey to Ministry If you met Zach Aument on the street, you would guess he’s an artist, philosopher or political advisor. And while you’d be correct, Zach’s current job title is strategist. A ministry...
The Courage of Conviction
The Courage of Conviction: Gabrielle Crofford Shares 3 Insights about Family Life in Ministry Gabrielle Crofford grew up in Suffix County, Delaware, running across the tops of chair rows at Laurel Wesleyan Church. The privilege came with being a pastor’s kid, and as...
Flowers Between the Cracks
Flowers Between the Cracks: 3 M’s of Church Multiplication in Mexico City When Alejandro Sicilia came to lead Senda De Vida church 20 years ago, the building served as a bunker. Located in the heart of Mexico City in a neighborhood riddled with crime, drugs and...
Finding Footing on a Firm Foundation
Finding Footing on a Firm Foundation: Silas Vermilya Made His Faith His Own as a Pastor’s Kid Silas Vermilya is 18 years old, starting his first year at Indiana Wesleyan University. For the past 10 years, he’s been a pastor’s kid, as his mom served as a worship pastor...
Learning to Look Outside: Beau Hamner Shares How Southern Wesleyan Impacted His Ministry Journey
Beau Hamner’s 4 years at Southern Wesleyan University were a mix of studies and shenanigans, setting him on a path of pastoral leadership. He had no idea how God would continue to build on the initial foundation, leading him to look outside the traditional boundaries...
Thrive in 5 – Intellectual- Informing Your Understanding of Culture
Pastors assist people to be faithful disciples of Jesus in the midst of a culture that is in need of redemption. But how can you as a pastor be best informed about the nature of that culture?
Wesleyan Chaplains
ECD Home Clergy Care Thrive Financial Women in Ministry Many persons are finding ministry as a military or institutional chaplain to be very fulfilling. Chaplains are ministers who perform pastoral tasks in specialized settings. They must love people and be capable of...
Wesleyan Higher Education
Wesleyan Higher Education | Colleges & Universities
New Pastor Orientation
Inviting: Newly ordained, newly appointed pastors or pastors transferring from other denominations and their spouses.
Sanctifying Context
Higher education is facing significant challenges but these challenges have prompted reflection on the purpose of Christian higher education in particular.
