ECD Feature
A Different Kind of Networking—FLAME student Bonni Eastlack and her counter-cultural call to discipleship
“I have a strong passion for the 21st century church and its place in the community. Every community has its institutions, schools, municipalities. I believe in the church becoming a strong establishment in our community.” Tweet This Bonni Eastlack spent...
National Study of Wesleyan Clergy and Spouses
As we all know by now, studies show that being a pastor (of any sort) is one of the most gratifying, fulfilling vocations around AND AT THE SAME TIME one of the most challenging and stressful. What we don’t know is just how pastors in The Wesleyan Church fit into that...
ECD Hosts Three Summer Interns
IWU public relations, writing, and business major intern at the Division of Education and Clergy Development Rev. Russ Gunsalus and The Division of Education and Clergy Development partnered with Indiana Wesleyan University to bring three interns to gain real-world...
Meeting Christ in a Coffee Shop: FLAME student Willie Vaughan brings the good news to his neighborhood cafe.
“Sussex is in need of hearing the gospel in a way that is accessible and tangible, and that’s what I hope to do.” Willie Vaughan has an out-of-the-box vision for his community church: In place of pews, coffee tables and in place of a tie, a barista...
More Than Head Knowledge: 3 Things Every Wesleyan Should Know about Higher Education
It’s that time of year to take accounts, assess progress and cast vision for the future. At ECD we asked, “What is the state of Wesleyan Higher Education?” ECD Executive Director Russ Gunsalus shared with us three things every Wesleyan should know...
I would have never imagined I would be a pastor today
“I would have never imagined I would be a pastor today.” Pastor Marcelle Hamel never considered she would be called to the ministry. In fact, for a majority of her life she was just trying to survive. Losing her mom at a young age and her father absent;...
Missions with a Twist— Kingswood University’s Ecclesia Program
At Kingswood University, discipleship is not confined to the college “bubble.” Every summer, Kingswood student leaders give back what they have received during the school year, discipling high schoolers to serve and share the good news of Jesus Christ at...
A Fight Against Modern Day Slavery: OKWU Orange Movement
The goal of Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Orange Movement is to end modern day slavery manifested in the form of human trafficking. Directed by OKWU’s First Lady Marci Piper and Assistant Director Heather Utzman, the movement raises awareness about human...
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Lindsay Miller
Saying “yes” to God may take you places you couldn’t imagine. For Kingwood University student Lindsay Miller, the journey of obedience has led her to the streets of New York City, the villages of Haiti and, most recently, the refugee camps of Europe....
Breakaway 2016
“I soooooo needed this!” “Please do it every year.” These are just two of the many positive comments submitted by pastor’s spouses who attended Breakaway on April 15th-16th. Over 120 spouses traveled from as far away as North Carolina,...
Chaplain’s Corner- Belonging to something bigger than yourself
On 27 April, our nation will recognize Administrative Professionals Day. This day has come a long way since its inception during World War II, when there was an increased demand for skilled administrative personnel. Dictionary.com gives a few definitions for an...
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Amber Livermore
Embracing God’s Call from New Zealand to the United States “During my time in New Zealand, I came to embrace my own pastoral call on a deeper level in a cultural context that generally places a higher emphasis and value on ordained ministry.” -Rev....
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Julie Collins Penta
Much like hiking, church planting requires extensive preparation, the right tools, and an abiding sense of purpose. Fortunately, Julie Collins Penta is both church planter and mountain hiker. Much like hiking, church planting requires extensive preparation, the right...
Shocking News about Wesleyan Pastor Washout: Wesleyan Clergy Retention Study
Please forgive me for the sensational title but the news about Wesleyan pastoral retention is indeed shocking. If I asked you, “How many pastors washout of ministry in their first five years?”, what would you say, 30…40…50…even 60...
Shocking News about Wesleyan Pastor Washout: Wesleyan Clergy Retention Study
Please forgive me for the sensational title but the news about Wesleyan pastoral retention is indeed shocking. If I asked you, “How many pastors washout of ministry in their first five years?”, what would you say, 30…40…50…even 60...
Being Salt: 3 Things You Should Know about Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University maintains a growing cultural influence, developing a generation of Christians ready to engage their world. To hear OKWU’s vision for 2016, we talked to Dr. Everett Piper, President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, who offered three...
Chaplaincy Spotlight: Jim Miller’s Ministry of Presence
Having recently returned from deployment, Military Chaplain Jim Miller describes his ministry in three themes: nurturing the living, caring for the wounded, and honoring the dead. Chaplain Miller describes his ministry in three themes: nurturing the living, caring for...
Wesleyan Higher Education Spotlight: Houghton College
“The goal of Wesleyan higher education is to cultivate in students the desire and capability to bring the light and hope of the gospel to the 21st century world.” -President Shirley Mullen, Houghton College As the oldest Wesleyan institution of higher...
Chaplaincy Spotlight: Jim Miller’s Ministry of Presence
Having recently returned from deployment, Military Chaplain Jim Miller describes his ministry in three themes: nurturing the living, caring for the wounded, and honoring the dead. Chaplain Miller describes his ministry in three themes: nurturing the living, caring for...
Women in Ministry Spotlight: Kelli Ward
Kelli Ward is a busy mom who loves to laugh; she is also the Connections Pastor at Forest Hills Wesleyan Church, Evansville, IN. She and her husband, Wayne, also an ordained pastor at Forest Hills, have four children, Karis – 8, Josiah – 7, Maria – 5, and Anna – 3....
Wesleyan Higher Education Spotlight: Southern Wesleyan University
“Our mission is to impact the world for Christ by raising up the next generation of leaders, pastors, and congregants, to grow the church and turn society toward Christ.” – Todd Voss, President of Southern Wesleyan University Many high school graduates no...
Healthy, Fit, Effective: New Pastors Orientation 2015
On November 18-19, 2015, Education and Clergy Development hosted its annual New Pastor Orientation at Wesleyan Headquarters in Fishers, IN. The conference reached out to pastors newly ordained or serving in their first appointment in The Wesleyan Church. This year, 23...
Graduate Student Theological Seminar: Rubbing Elbows with Incredible Minds
Since 1964, a group of around forty Wesleyan and Free Methodist scholars and graduate students gather to rub elbows at the Graduate Student Theological Seminar. Consistently, the conference has served individuals pursuing theology and biblical studies as a place to...