ECD Feature
Disciples Making Disciples Ministry Spotlight: Ryan Genereaux
“I am excited about mobilizing with the team we have at Maple Ridge Wesleyan. It is neat to see kids who come into youth group and know nothing of God come into a relationship with Him and seek to follow His plan for their life. I love to see ‘disciples making...
Professor Spotlight: Dr. Betty Weatherby, Kingswood University
“Worship reveals who we are and where we are as a church, but it also forms us into what we are becoming.” Dr. Betty Weatherby—a professor at Kingswood University—has a passion to develop students whose understanding of worship extends beyond the surface layer of...
Breakaway 2017 Refreshes, Renews and Restores Pastor Spouses
On November 2-4, Education and Clergy Development and Pastors Spouse Connection welcomed over 80 attendees to Breakaway 2017, a conference aimed at helping pastors’ spouses find renewal and relationship. Pastors’ spouses are often caught between vocation...
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...
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...
Sanctifying Context
Higher education is facing significant challenges but these challenges have prompted reflection on the purpose of Christian higher education in particular.
Polarized: 3 Ways to Preach Unity in a Divided Political Climate
By Ethan Linder | May 18, 2017 What does the church do after a divisive election year? Though we’ve faced this question before, its implications seem particularly important in the wake of this political season. Churches are grappling with how to reconcile...
Sabbaticals: Learning to Thrive
By Jessica White | Oct 14, 2016 The word “sabbaticals” is sometimes accompanied by a negative connotation. When ministers consider a sabbatical they think: “There is never a good time to get away. If I leave now, the church will fall apart.”...
Lilly Endowment Makes Grants to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders Nationwide
The Wesleyan Church has received a grant of $1,000,000 as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The initiative supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they address...