Pastor of the Week – Page 5

October 26, 2016October 26, 2016

Pastor of the Week | Phil Miglioratti

By: Dezaray Barr & Rick Carder

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Phil Miglioratti graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a major in secondary education concentrated in English. He went on to study at the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he earned a Master of Art in Christian Education.

While at divinity school, Miglioratti had many teachers who shaped his theology and passion for the Church. He says that his peers were also essential to his time at divinity school.

Although he has never felt an ‘Aha’ moment about the path he has chosen, Miglioratti said that “God affirmed my call when I realized I would rather be teaching students the Bible than extolling Shakespeare.” Miglioratti knows that although job titles, zip codes, and interests change, God’s call is for him to spread the good news and grow the kingdom. Miglioratti said the greatest thing he can do it to take Jesus to work, school, soccer games, and block parties; that is his call.

Miglioratti currently serves as the National Facilitator of City and Community Ministries for Mission America Coalition (US Lausanne Committee). He is the Founder of the National Pastors’ Prayer Network and the Curator of the Pray.Network.

He said that his biggest trial to overcome within his congregation is himself. “Recognizing my leadership style and discerning my strengths and weaknesses enabled the Holy Spirit to coach me in focusing my passion and pursuits of ministry,” he said. “The Lord called me to connect the people to God through corporate prayer. But it took several life lessons for me to realize his mission for me.”

The mission that Miglioratti has for his church is that his people connect to God through prayer, both corporate and individual, and that the city and community they are apart of is able to transform. Each week, he preaches biblical messages, teaching his congregation about outward focused prayer training.

Miglioratti’s advice for IWU students is simple, “Love Jesus. Love learning. Love people. Learn inquiry prayer.” He encourages students to remember who they are talking to when they pray, to ask the Lord what he wants them to pray about, and remember why God calls His people to prayer in the first place.

Read more about Miglioratti and his work at nppn.org/ or at missionamerica.org.

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Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

October 12, 2016October 14, 2016

Rev. George D. Martin Jr., Pastor of the Week

By: Rick Carder

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This past week I had the opportunity to meet with Reverend George D. Martin, Jr., pastor of The Sanctuary Church, located in East Indianapolis. I was immediately impressed by his casual, friendly personality. He greeted me with a, “Pleased to meet you brother! How are you?” With a warm embrace and gentle spirit it is not surprising that his church is growing.

Martin shared with me his journey over the years. “The location of the church we are at right now is a God-thing…We can see the hand of God on this ministry,” he shared. After moving from several locations, the church has settled on the east side of Indianapolis. Experience is something that he believes helps develop him as well as his church.

Martin shared his testimony, giving credit to the work of the Lord in his life. He shared, “I was serving as an Associate minister in the church where I grew up in. I accepted my calling into ministry just a few years before. I felt God impress upon my heart the vision of a church with multiple ethnicities and gave me the mission ‘Many Nations, One Body, In Christ’.”

According to an article in the Indianapolis Recorder,

Martin’s journey to the Eastside place of worship is long and one that required him to have unshakable faith in God’s plan for him and the ministry. In 1999, he was already a developing minister at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, but he said the Lord began speaking to him about starting a church for people who needed to be restored.

Keeping this vision at the forefront of his ministry, he has said that one of the biggest challenges he faces in his ministry is, “Planting an urban church ministry with no formal guidance or preparation plan”. Add to this situation that there were only five individuals and their children in at the time, and you realize this was ordained by God.

The ministry continues to reach out to the local community. Martin’s ministry is very active in their church and community. He said, “The Sanctuary Church was established in March 2002. The name comes from Exodus 25:8 ‘And let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them.’ The Sanctuary Church is striving to be an earthly reflection of the community of heaven.”

The Sanctuary Church is a part of the Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church.

Pastor Martin is married to Toyin and they have four children, Jeremiah, Tylin, Tyah, and George III.

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

October 4, 2016October 12, 2016

Jan Paron – Extraordinary Pastor-Educator, Pastor of the Week

By: Rick Carder

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Jan Paron can easily be described as a pastor, educator, author, professor, dean and culture shaper. She is all of these and more. Her extensive background is only part of the story. Feeling a call to ministry, Paron went beyond what was expected. She desired to see a culture shift in the local church and those whom she leads. Her call to ministry was clearly guided by the work of the Holy Spirit. She recalls, “I met Pastor Dan at a Gospel fest fundraiser. Not long afterwards, I visited his church. Before I knew it, the Holy Ghost led me to speak to him about starting a school. About six years later, a small core team and I birthed All Nations Leadership Institute (ANLI).”

Since 1975, Paron has been serving as an educator and in more recent years she has become an expert in developing communities of ministry, helping to shape a culture of diversity and effective ministry in urban settings. Serving as an Assistant Pastor in Alsip, Illinois yet her influence goes beyond her local church setting, on staff at Lighthouse Church of All Nations. Under the ministry of Pastor-Leader, Dan Willis (www.danwillis.org) who is himself an extraordinary leader, Paron worked to develop an educational institution that has trained hundreds of local church leaders. All Nations Leadership Institute (ANLI) provides a four year education training men and women for multicultural church ministry. Paron is not only developing curriculum but also teaching and serving as Dean of the institute.

Paron’s resume is filled with extensive educational credentials. She is not only a graduate of the Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, she also holds degrees from Loyola University of Chicago. Her master’s degree in ministry leadership from Wesley Seminary was completed in 2014. She spoke to her classmates representing both a highly qualified educator but also demonstrating a culture-shaping leader. Paron holds a master’s and PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola. She is certified as a Missional Coach with Bob Whitesel, PhD (churchhealthexpert.wordpress.com), professor and mentor from the Wesley Seminary. Her Pastoral training was completed through the Lighthouse Bible College.

During her interview I inquired with her about some of the most significant questions. Here are here answers to those questions;

I’m interested in knowing about how you felt directed to do the PhD. Can you explain?

Even as a young adult, leadership suggested developing people rather than managing them. I knew I wanted to teach at an early age influenced by helping my mother, also a teacher, set up her classroom throughout grade school. Her daily classroom recollections fascinated me, especially when her eyes lit up recounting success stories of her students getting got it. I played teaching in the backyard and knew my degree intentions during high school. It seemed a natural extension once a teacher to transition into the “principalship” and work towards later involvement in curriculum and instruction at the

district and university levels. After I completed my MEd in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University of Chicago, I wanted to know more about the field and continued in the doctoral program there. Loyola appealed to me as an urban center with a diverse student body, noted for its emphasis on scholarship, research, and academic excellence.

What is the life verse that has been most meaningful to you and why?

As an assistant pastor in a multicultural church, an ambassador for Christ to reach all tribes and nations for the cause of the Gospel, I look to 1 Corinthians 9:19 as my life verse: “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more” (KJV). For me, this verse encompasses core leadership actions that surround unity of the Church: intentionally ministers to the multitudes; views others with openness; adapts the method, keeps the message; focuses on the call to the all; shows inclusion and impartiality; and uses value communication (Paron, 2016).

One of the greatest cross-cultural missionaries of all times, the apostle Paul continually adapted delivery of the Gospel’s message by contextualizing it to reach the nations with purposeful communication actions giving access to salvation to those who received it. Yet, he adamantly maintained the truths of Scripture. He did so with a bondservant mindset (9:19b) in that he “gave up self-interests and will to advance God’s mission as a slave for the sake of Christ, approaching enslavement with joy, devotion, obedience, yielding and sacrifice” (Paron, 2013). The “hina clause” that follows explains his passionate pursuit with the continuous action “that I might gain the more” (v. 19c). As a “servant to all” (v. 19b) he strived to win over an even great amount for Christ’s favor and fellowship (Thayer, 2009; cf. Mark 9:35).

While supporting the ministry of reconciliation with the multitudes, I must show the same zeal as Paul with a servant’s heart to reach as many as possible for the sake of the Gospel not letting life’s challenges interfere: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (v. 24).

How has your degree from the Wesley Seminary been beneficial to your ministry and/or personal development?

My Wesley Seminary education expanded foundational knowledge in both urban ministry and theology. Without a doubt, I incorporate what I learned into everyday practice, personally and pastorally. More importantly, my professors served as anchors in my own spiritual journey during my time at Wesley and today. Each invested in my life, nurtured my strengths, and helped me grow into my call. I cannot go without mentioning the many friendship I gained and still hold now.

What brings you the greatest joy and how is that fulfilled through the ministry that you lead as a pastor/educator?

All Nations Leadership Institute (ANLI) has an admittance policy that seeks to open access to a wide range of the called to urban, multicultural ministry. Men and women ages 18 and up can enroll in our college. We offer affordable courses with seminary

content in a theory-to-practice format. Students come to us with broad backgrounds insofar as academics, socioeconomics, ethnicity, race, residence, age, and denomination. Some of our students did not finish secondary school, while others have doctoral degrees. ANLI has a recent influx of students in their twenties enrolled in the four-year pastoral track as well as those beginning the program as seventy or eighty. Christ values each one, as does the Institute. After teaching 42 years, the drive to create conditions for student success runs stronger in me than ever. Whenever I teach, I always reflect on what to improve upon in my lessons for better student understanding.

In the ten years of All Nations Leadership Institute’s existence, the teachers trained students to serve as middle-door assistant pastors to a congregation of over 5,000. A high calling taken seriously, the assistant pastors have the responsibility of retaining the parishioners between the middle doors preventing them from leaving through the exit. As one of the assistant pastors myself, I understand the extreme importance of the role. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48 ESV). The ANLI staff nurtures every person as sheep in their flock during the time each attend our school to prepare them for their responsibility ahead. As the dean of All Nations Leadership, knowing staff sowed into the students’ call as leaders and journey into multicultural ministry brings me great satisfaction. At the academic year’s end, I weep with great joy when I watch my students anointed as elders or pastors at the Lighthouse Church of All Nations ordination ceremony; another class passed through our doors and will serve the King bringing His message of the Good News to the nations!

Teaching over 20-courses and authoring more than a dozen published articles. She also writes a blog called PerSpectives12 . Her passion is also focused on the All Nations Leadership Institute. Click on the link to follow about her teaching ministry as well as the upcoming SpiritLife Conference allnationsleadershipinstitute.org.

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Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

August 26, 2016September 19, 2016

Where the Church Can Shine the Brightest! – Chaplain Marc Watkins, Kokomo (Pastor of the Week)

By: Rick Carder

Rising above in one’s ministry Calling stands an extraordinary individual. Rev. Marc Watkins is one of those extraordinary individuals. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) from 1991, Marc has displayed the exceptional servant-leadership principle of people first. “IWU gave us ample opportunities in the Ministry program to serve…professors taught us that ministry and people were a priority,” he said in a recent interview.

Serving as a pastor of local church community at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Kokomo, Indiana has enabled Pastor Marc to have intentional ministry with his broader Howard County community. His passion to serve is what motivates Marc. I have witnessed his service first-hand. He is a person of faith and practical hands-on ministry. I am impress by how Chaplain Marc decided to make his faith sacred duty. He goes beyond the Calling to duty that serves and ministers through his Chaplaincy role.

Devastation lined the neighborhoods where Chaplain Marc found himself ministering to families in the aftermath of tornadoes that threatened lives in a rare weather system on Wednesday. It was reminiscent of a storm system that left damaged businesses and homes just a few years ago. I called Chaplain Marc just last night to offer words of encouragement and my prayers just as the storms were passing overhead. Shocked by the news and pictures of damaged homes and the complete destruction of a local Starbucks building left the nation stunned by the impact of a reported F-3 tornado touching down in Kokomo.

I simply offered my support in a facebook post as well as encouraging others to join me in prayer for Chaplains that service during events such as this. “Thank you for your prayers,” commented Chaplain Marc. “I really appreciate this,” he added. In a later conversation offering assistance he added, “We are still assessing the damage and developing a list of ways people can help!” Delivering Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwiches was where I caught up with Chaplain Marc this morning. “I am trying to help by feeding our officers who are serving the community,” he shared. He shared with me pictures of the deviation from his vantage point and all I could say was, “Wow! I am praying for you.” He offered ideas of how people can participate in the clean up and assisting of families that have been displaced. “There are 500 residents in an apartment complex alone that have been forced to leave all their possessions behind because the building has been condemned due to the damage,” added Chaplain Marc. He shared that we all can do something either through the United Way, Salvation Army, or Red Cross. Donations are encouraged. Speaking about his own Church affiliation, The Wesleyan Church he mentioned, “We have partnered with the Crossroads District of the Wesleyan Church to help in the clean up.” He mentioned that simply donating basic hygiene products to Kokomo Urban Outreach can be very helpful.

Chaplain Marc has been serving as a Kokomo Police Chaplains since December, 2013. His service has impacted not only his local community but also those who serve as First Responders during crisis incidences. Our local police sacrifice daily. We need someone to care for those that serve on the front line of the community. Chaplain Marc has stood in that gap and has been involved in helping Kokomo Police Officers deal with the harsh realities of community emergencies as well as the tragedies of fellow fallen officers. Chaplain Marc was involved in the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service in May of 2018. The memorial remembered two local officers killed in the line of duty. “Their lives have inspired us, and in their deaths, it calls us and compels us to a more compassionate resolve,” KPD chaplain Mark Watkins said during a prayer in the council chambers at city hall. In most recent days Kokomo residents were awakened with the news that Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz who was killed in the line of duty. Chaplain Marc was once again available to serve during this incredible loss.

Chaplain Marc stated that his goal is to provide compassionate ministries to people in our community. Whether they are First Responders or community residents, he hopes to provide emotional and spiritual support to people. He stated that First Responders are “emotionally and physically drained” as they serve after the devastating tornadoes. Chaplain Marc stated, “This is were the church can shine the brightest.”

Today, I call upon IWU Alumni and Friends to get involved in any way possible whether that means giving financial resources or time. I also offer to you an example of an IWU World Changer who didn’t turn away from the need but ran to assist his community. Thank you Pastor-Chaplain Marc Watkins for your service and compassion.

Pastor Marc is this week’s Pastor of the Week for his extraordinary heart of compassion during a time of crisis during the August 24, 2016 tornado.

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

August 22, 2016August 23, 2016

Kirk Proctor – Ministry & Mission – Pastor of the Week

This week’s Pastor of the Week goes to Kirk Proctor. Kirk is the Lead Pastor at Faith Wesleyan Church in Lansing, Michigan. He has been the Lead Pastor at Faith Church for 3-years. His ministry includes churches in Wisconsin for 2-years, on staff at a church in Sturgis, Michigan for 2-years, and at a church in Illinois, Heritage Wesleyan Church for 6-years.

When I asked him about how Indiana Wesleyan has influenced him, he and Emily both said with smiles, “IWU introduced us to each other!” Kirk met his wife, Emily while attending Indiana Wesleyan University. They shared that they often talk about the influence of faculty who helped them to look at church ministry in a whole new way. They were encouraged to get outside of the “IWU bubble” and be part of the surrounding community which has helped them to learn how to have effective outreach which is evident by their ministry today. “IWU pushed us out of our comfort zones to be involved with people in the surrounding community,” said Kirk. During his senior year he served along with a fellow classmate, IWU alum, Matt Carder in a small church north of Marion, Indiana. “This gave me an opportunity to learn and develop as well as understand the intergenerational needs of the church,” said Kirk. The church group under their ministry grew as they invited the community and fellow students to attend.

IWU played a vital role in his personal and vocational role in the church. In his current ministry at Faith, Kirk often brings an Indiana Wesleyan mug on the platform when he preaches! As part of the recognition we give Pastors a Pastor of the Week mug which may even be displayed during upcoming Sundays at the church.

Upon their graduation in 2002, they entered full-time ministry. Their ministry is a shared responsibility since Emily is heavily involved in church as well. Emily’s ministry consist of women’s ministry. They have three elementary age children. Emily also serves as a substitute teacher in the local school that her children are part of. “This gives me an opportunity to reach people outside of the church & many become friends giving me the opportunity of ministry,” says Emily.

Kirk shared that a couple of verses that have been favorites of his and have helped shape his ministry are:
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One of their personal and ministry passions include missions work. Check out this story from just a few weeks ago: View story here! This coming year Emily will be leading a team to Sierra Leone and Kirk will be leading a team to Mexico.

Help me in congratulating Rev. Kirk Proctor as this week’s Pastor of the Week.

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

Zack and Carla Working- Rebuilding the Church : Co-Pastors of the Week

Pastor Zack Working felt a call to ministry in sixth grade as he led a group of church-going friends in Sunday School at their local church. He described himself as “impressionable,” though, and after listening to the opinions of his peers, he decided to run far and fast from the Call. “It (the Call to ministry) just wasn’t appealing to me at that time in my life. I was much more athletically-driven, so I chose to focus on that,” said Working.

Working, originally being from Huntington, Indiana, attended Mt. Etna United Methodist Church as a child and teenager. He was influenced greatly by the cycle of leadership that came through the church during his young adult years. He saw relationships crumble and situations being mishandled and decided that church wasn’t where he belonged, so he continued to run from God’s calling.

He decided to attend IPFW to study Elementary Education. “I had decided that Elementary Education was a noble career. God would let me do that and not be mad that I wasn’t in Ministry. I tried to justify by saying that it was a ministry to the students at school, but He knew I wouldn’t do it,” stated Working. His planned degree began to not work out, things started to go poorly, and Working attempted to study a few different majors next, but said, “Everything was just falling apart. It seemed I was losing my identity. I didn’t know who I was. I was listening to my friends and those around me, and I was still aware of what God was telling me to do.”

Eventually, Working got the point of attempting suicide. In the midst of preparing for the act, his dad came home early from work. Working said he couldn’t recall any other time in his entire life where his dad came home early from his job. “He usually got home later than expected, because he was always helping others and getting extra things done,” Working said.

Working was at an extremely low point in his life. A few days later, a friend’s grandmother invited him to church, and there he met Carla, who was attending IWU, and would soon become his wife. Life didn’t magically become smooth, though. The pastor of the church, Tom DeFries, invited Working to play bass on the worship team. “I wasn’t very good, but he let me play,” Working said laughing. “He just loved me. He shared the love of Christ with me, and by doing that, it really convicted me,” he stated.

Eventually, he came to the realization that he couldn’t run from his calling anymore. He decided to pursue ministry at IWU, and at this point, he was three years into his teaching degree. However, he started completely over with ministry, all while removing himself from the poor influences in his life. DeFries asked Working to be the lay leader of the church, and Working observed the fruitfulness that came from overcoming obstacles within the church.

Working married his wife, Carla, after she graduated from IWU. She took a position at a church in Elwood, then went to Wesley Seminary. This would begin their journey of listening to God’s call. After being in Elwood for five years, they listened to a Calling to move to Morley Wesleyan Church in Canton, New York. The church had only 20 people attending when they arrived, but by the time they left, the church had grown immensely and had started to influence the community that surrounded it.

Working and his young family took a second call a few years later to move to Ellington Wesleyan Church in Connecticut, where only 7 people attended when they arrived. Now, they have received a call to move home. The family currently resides in Lafontaine, Indiana and Working and his wife, Carla co-pastor Lincolnville United Methodist Church, which is south of Wabash. They work to externalize the church. His main goal with each church he pastors is help the church become the bride of Christ. “I really feel one of the things I have learned in my experience, and I think the reason God took me away from here, from home originally, is that for so long, I was the one being influenced. God really taught me in my experiences how to be the influencer for Him. I really envision that for this church and all the churches I am at.”

Working’s purpose is to teach the church not to be influenced by the culture, but to instead influence the community around it. He said, “We, as pastors, are meant to do something more than minister on a weekly basis, but we are really meant to influence the lives of the people that are attending, so that when they go out, they can be influencers.” His life verse is Acts 20:24, which states, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

He believes his greatest joy in ministry is seeing the journey of those coming to know Christ.

Zack and Carla Working continue to be God’s light within and outside of the church, and are always willing to follow wherever He decides to lead them.

We congratulation co-pastors, Zack and Carla as this week’s Pastor of the Week (potw).

Emily, student writer, presents the POTW mug!

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

March 5, 2016March 16, 2016

PotW: Kyle Ray at Kentwood Community Church

By: Mia Anderson

Reverend Kyle Ray is recognized as the “Pastor of the Week” last week (February 29). “Pastor of the Week” (PotW) is a renewed tradition honored by the Office of Alumni and Church Engagement which appreciates local pastors for their service and faith. Congrats, Pastor Kyle!

Pastor Kyle Ray has been the lead pastor at Kentwood Community Church (Kentwood, Michigan) since 2010. His ministry has served his congregants well by increasing diversity, creating a clear vision, and encouraging them to love their neighbors. KCC is a growing church that seeks to pour into their community through discipling members to share the Gospel, embracing other cultures, inspiring others to grow in their faith and to instill a devotion to serving in the name

Rick Carder (Director of Alumni & Church Engagement) and Pastor Kyle Ray

of the Lord.

Ray is not your typical pastor. He went to the University of Michigan and pursued a career in engineering, working for General Motors and other companies before his call to ministry. He and his wife, Petra Ray, came to Kentwood Community Church in 1999, not as a pastor and his wife, but as congregants. When the Rays chose KCC as their church, Wayne Schmidt (who now serves as Vice President of Wesley Seminary) was lead pastor. The Rays learned and grew in their faith under Schmidt’s leadership and in 2003 Kyle felt a call to ministry, which led to him attending seminary.

In 2006, Ray returned to KCC as an Outreach Pastor. Through his and Schmidt’s leadership, KCC began to go from a predominantly white church, to a church more reflective of the demographics of the community. Ray said this happened because of an increase in passion and intentionality for reaching those in the Kentwood area.

In 2010, Schmidt moved into his role at the Wesley Seminary and Kyle became the lead pastor of KCC. He said, “After six years of being a pastor, I followed a 30 year, founding pastor [Schmidt].” But, Ray implemented a clear vision to his congregation that has also helped structure staff and budget. The vision is “REAL”: to Reach all people, Engage the community, Awaken spiritual growth, and Launch everyone into service.

(from left) Malik, Petra, Kyle, and Matthew Ray

Ray embodies this vision by preaching the theory of the multiplication mindset to his congregation. This means making decisions that can help reach more and more people to Christ. One way KCC is doing this is by planting churches and founding satellite campuses in Wyoming, Michigan and Nagpur, India. The campus in India is in the center of a country with an incredibly low percentage of Christians. Others ways KCC shows the multiplication mindset is by showing hospitality toward other cultures by having specialized Bible study groups and services translated in real-time to Spanish. Ray said, “It seems like God has always blessed that desire to multiply and have more people come to faith in Christ.”

KCC continues to grow and impact the world through Pastor Kyle’s leadership. He said, “It’s been a crazy journey…but it’s been a great journey to go from congregant, to pastor, to lead pastor.”

Pastor Kyle’s wife, Petra, serves on the board of trustees at Indiana Wesleyan University. Together, Kyle and Petra have two adopted sons Malik (17) and Matthew (16).

Congratulations, Pastor Kyle Ray!

Written by Mia Anderson, Blog and Social Media Manager, Storyteller for the Alumni Office. Mia is a Senior at IWU studying Strategic Communication with her concentration in Public Relations. She is the Vice President of IWU PRSSA and will be getting married and moving to Indianapolis after she graduates in December 2016! Mia loves hearing others’ stories and sharing them with the world. Visit her personal website at www.MiaLAnderson.weebly.com.

February 17, 2016February 17, 2016

PotW “Lessons from Relationships and Failure” Rev. David Dignal

By: Rick Carder

David opened his seminar on Conflict Resolution with the statement, “If you are breathing, you will experience conflict.” Sharing experiences from his ministry, Dignal offered ideas on handling conflict in our lives during a teaching session hosted by the IWU Alumni Association – Fort Wayne Regional Network on February 11, 2016. Dignal defined his greatest passion as resulting from opprotunities of ministry, “When you can mend a broken relationship is a win. Anytime you can get people on the same page is a win.”

For over thirty-five years David Dignal has served as a pastor in the Wesleyan Church. He has experienced ministry through his passion for teaching and leadership. David is an alum of IWU, finishing his Master in Religion degree through IWU. Dignal is also a graduate of Ohio Christian University (B.A. in Christian Ministries). He referenced Dr. Wayne Schmidt, Vice President of Wesleyan Seminary, who helped him learn how to manage conflict.

Dignal cited four areas of conflict: community change, financial stress, closed power systems, and prescriptive expectations. In the ministry of serving in a local church, he is reminded that working with people can be difficult but that, “there are many rewards as well.” In his ministry he has learned to lead gracefully.

Pastor Dignal now serves at Edgerton Wesleyan Church, where he has been since the fall of 2002. He has turned the church around by providing an optimistic leadership style that included teaching principles of leadership to its members. He is also a trained church planting assessor for The Wesleyan Church. Dignal’s main focus in coaching an individual is to see that person develop their full “LQ” – leadership quotient. He said the LQ means, “We have to promote leadership development. The leader has to grow and not depend on the past successes. You can always add to your ability.” The leader’s growth is the key to his or her personal and ministry effectiveness and fulfillment.

In sharing on a personal level, Dignal shared that he completed a process of being certified in the Wesleyan Coaching Network. About himself he said, “I did my training with Tim Roehl. I really do like the GROW model, simply because it keeps my focus on helping the person grow in whatever area we are working on.” He describes the GROW model by asking pastors to look at their ministry “Goals” and “Realities” as well as the “Opportunities” then they define the plan in what he calls “What will we do?”.

Dignal integrates his coaching principles by engaging the passion of people and helping them find their strengths. As the Director of Alumni and Church Engagement, I (Rick Carder) asked David Dignal to provide leadership coaching to the Fort Wayne Regional Alumni Regional Network. Dignal is creative and optimistic as our team looks to serve alumni in the region. The team works together to define objectives and goals that reach and serve alumni. His leadership and coaching is a positive contribution to this team.

During his conflict resolution presentation Dignal shared a personal example of leadership roles and their constant change. “Yesterday we celebrated my nineteen year old daughter’s birthday. We often remind our children what the relationship roles are,” he shared. Further, “In dealing with conflict we continue to define roles. I have to remember that she is nineteen now. I have to make adjustments too.” As he reflected about ministry he said, “As culture changes you have to make adjustments. The message doesn’t change but the way we do ministry does. There are new opportunities when culture changes.” Now that he is a grandfather, Dignal was asked about how ministry has shaped him over the years. He said, “The impact has been that the perspective of children’s ministry has changed. I have always valued this ministry but now that I have a grandchild, it has given me a personal connection.”

This is part of why Dignal is passionate about church renewal. He serves on the Church Renewal Team with the Indiana North District of the Wesleyan Church that helps churches to be more effective. “I am part of the renewal conversations which I enjoy,” says Dignal. His greatest joy is in serving Christ. He commented, “Seeing God’s truth worked out in real life scenarios is my passion.”

“I have a responsibility to communicate vision in a way that people can understand,” says Dignal, “I want to get everyone on-board.” He continues, “I am good at repeating the same thing over-and-over again so that everyone gets it. I say the same thing but I say it differently so that people get it.” He teaches as an adjunct professor for IWU. He often encourages his students by helping them to connect to what he teaching by using stories and illustrations that build on principles.

On a personal level David was asked what his life Bible verse is. He answered, “I don’t have a life verse but I have a favorite. It is Philippians 1:6. I paraphrase it simply, ‘What God starts he finishes.’” It gives him confidence in the darkest times.

In speaking about his ministry impacts, he talked about two significant experiences that have shaped him. “One of those is the pastoral heroes in my life.” Referring to the four years he served as a staff with Pastor Jimmy Johnson in Bonita, CA. “He taught me to be real and relax in who God created me to be.” He also reference a painful time in his life. “My failure as a church planter,” he said. He continues, “It has shaped me because it taught me humility and forced me to realign on my values in the church. My failures caused me to come out and realize the importance of ministry.”

The accomplishments include church planting and training specialties. During a public recognition following his presentation at the training event as the newest member of the Pastor of the Week (PotW) inductee, David demonstrated a servant’s heart by sharing personal successes and failures. He has served over 35 years of pastoral ministry experience, 13 years as an Adjunct Professor for Indiana Wesleyan University, and served 7 years as Assistant to the District Superintendent of the Indiana North District of The Wesleyan Church. He now serves as a ministry coach for the Wesleyan Church.

Pastor Dave has been married to his wife Stevie for over 34 years and have three children (Sarah, Jonathan, and Rebekah), one son-in-law, and one grandson. They met at Circleville College in 1977. She was from New York and he was from Pennsylvania but we met in college. They started dating when I was in my last year of college.

Sources: https://www.wesleyan.org/1471/coach-david-dignal

Written by Rick Carder, Director of Alumni and Church Engagement.

January 22, 2016January 23, 2016

PotW: Dr. Kevin Queen; Releasing Potential: Revival and Summit

College is a time to change the trajectory of your future. It sets the spiritual climate for the launching years of early adulthood and beyond. What better time, then to catch fire for the Lord? Revival, then, is the reason Dr. Kevin Queen, Campus Pastor at 12Stone Church and Summit speaker for IWU’s Spring Summit series. This year, Dr. Queen is emphasizing the value of revival, both individually and corporately, outlined through practical steps.

“Revival comes with a confession of sin, removing doubtful things from your life, practicing instant obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit and confessing Christ publically,” Dr. Queen explained. Dr. Queen stressed that revival in the Indiana Wesleyan community could have enormous consequences. Engaging with the spiritual climate of the school, Queen articulated his desire to see the academic community commit to complete surrender. He encouraged this surrender as crucial to seeing and experiencing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

“Revival requires we give God all the chips we’ve been playing with,” articulated Queen. “You can’t give God some areas of your life, keep some, and expect to see a revival in your life.” Queen further clarified this idea of surrender, stressing the importance of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit as central to Revival.

“There are individual convictions some sense strongly, that might not be applicable to others. That is not a measure of who is most godly. You just need to be obedient to how you feel the Lord leading you,” Queen continued, “there are so many things like that: you have a conviction but then you repress it, and it becomes a gray area. Revival involves doing away with those gray convictions.” With this message of repentance and revival Dr. Queen has been encouraging and challenging IWU students. Leading up to Summit, the spiritual emphasis week held at the beginning of each semester, leaders, students and faculty have all been praying for revival. Catching this vision, Dr. Queen mentioned that in this community of Christians, revival could hold enormous potential.

Eager to see this revival, Dr. Queen explained that revival would mean conversations centered on Christ, with His thoughts controlling actions and thoughts. It would allow for an unleashing of the potential of God’s people.

“When revival comes, God invades a community. Through prayer, Heaven touches the earth. Up there comes down here. People come alive to him,” Queen said,” The lost turn to him. People are set free from addiction. The heart is made clean. The Bible can speak with meaning and authority. It is a joy-filled environment. When the river of revival comes the streams spread throughout the world.”

Tomorrow night Summit will end. With it the lights will be taken down, the band will cease playing, and the formal experience will end. However, it is the prayer of Dr. Queen as well as students and faculty throughout the school that the work of revival will begin where Summit ends. Queen encouraged students to continue to go deep with the Lord following this time of Spiritual Emphasis- but he stressed that students should not attempt this alone.

“Find a group of people to keep you accountable, pray together, read the Word, and find some dead mentors- spiritual giants who have walked this life before,” suggested Queen. “Don’t try to do this alone, seek encouragement from others.”

Dr. Queen is a campus pastor at 12Stone Church in Georgia where he has pastored for twelve years. He is married to his best friend, named Rea; they have four children. The IWY Community is deeply grateful for Dr. Queen’s presence at IWU this week for Summit.

The Office of Alumni and Church Engagement has selected Dr. Queen as this week’s recipient of the Pastor of the Week recognition. Rev. Carder, Director of Alumni and Church Engagement presented him with a “Pastor of the Week” coffee mug and journal. Carder said, “Dr. Queen is well-known and someone that has impacted our students and the broader church through his ministry.” The honor of being Pastor of the Week is a way to give recognition to the wonderful ministry influence and leadership pastors provide in spiritual formation.

Written by Katherine Arch, Story Teller for Alumni Relations. Katherine Arch is a Senior English major at Indiana Wesleyan, and a member of the Track and Cross Country teams. She is passionate about sharing people’s stories and celebrating their unique divine potential in written form. Katherine also operates a website called “Join the Ranch” at jointheranch.weebly.com. It is about pursuing God’s purpose for her life and vocation.

Photo credits: http://12stone.com/staff/kevin-queen/; Mia Anderson

December 18, 2015January 27, 2016

Pastor of The Week (PotW) – Church Engagement Recognition Program; Josh Howard

A recent tradition that honors local pastors continues through the Office of Alumni and Church Engagement. Several times a month local leaders and pastors are selected in recognition of what is known as, “Pastor of the Week”. This tradition began several years ago by Gale Richmond, Director of Church Relations. Rev. Rick Carder, current Director of Alumni and Church Engagement said about the program, “I am on the road this week recognizing pastors and giving them their mug. This week I am giving away a few consecutively!” Carder indicated that he is finishing out the remainder of the year and recognizing several which will finish out 2015. Richmond started this program with real needs being met. Richmond says, “Pastors are so overlooked a lot of times by many people and that was the reason that I wanted to start the ‘Pastor of the Week’ recognition.” The program not only recognizes pastors for their contribution to spiritual discipleship in the local church but also helping to demonstrate the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University as being Christ-centered. Richmond continues, “It is just as a way to say thank you for being there for all of us and for putting up with all of us.” He chuckles, “It is just a small way of showing them just how much they really mean to us.”

The program has since expanded to include pastors beyond The Wesleyan Church. This week’s inductees include Pastors Daniel Meyer & John Klingelhofer from Christ Church of Oak Brook-IL, and Pastor Josh Howard from Wheaton Wesleyan Church-IL. Carder adds, “Pastor’s, I am swinging through your region soon. You may be chosen next.” Carder also reminds members of the local church to nominate their pastor! To do this Carder encourages people to tell us in 100 words or less telling me what makes your pastor extraordinary! (Send your nomination to Rick.Carder@indwes.edu)

One of those that we highlight includes Pastor Josh Howard. Josh has been in the Wesleyan Church his whole life; beginning with being born into a pastor’s home. Josh has attended Indiana Wesleyan University where he graduated with a degree in Christian Ministries. He is currently working on his Masters of Divinity from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Carder says that “Not everyone selected is a pastor in the Wesleyan Church nor are they an alum of Indiana Wesleyan University.”

Pastor Josh has been in the ministry of the Wesleyan Church since graduation from college. One of his earliest church is included a staff position with Kalamazoo Wesleyan Church, known today as Lighthouse Community Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Danny Janes, Josh’s ministry was fruitful and a great place to develop his ministry skills. Having also served in St. Louis, Pastor Josh defends his interest as a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

Pastor Josh now serves as the senior pastor for Wheaton Wesleyan Church in Wheaton, Illinois. Josh has served in this church for nine consecutive years. His ministry extends even be on the four walls of this local community church. Pastor Josh also serves the community with intentional ministry to the neighborhood. Just this year the church’s Boys Brigade gathered over 750 individual bags of groceries from the surrounding homes to better serve people coming to their food pantry. Furthermore, Pastor Josh serves in a District Denominational leadership role as Assistant Superintendent as well as chair of the ministry training program called District Board of Ministerial Development. Pastor Josh is best known for not only his preaching but his exceptional skills as “Ping-Pong king” during their annual local church Ping-Pong tournament. Pastor Josh believes that the local church is where real ministry occurs. The local church is a congregation that is intentional about reaching their neighbors and building a strong relationship. The “pastor of the week” is a weekly recognition of pastors serving in the local church making a profound impact in not only their church but their community reflecting the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University by being Christ centered.

The “pastor of the week” was begun by Mr. Gale Richmond who served as the director of church relations for several years at Indiana Wesleyan. As part of this recognition a small gift is given to the pastor as well as a coffee mug with the title “Pastor of the Week.”

Others that have recently been recognized in this way include the executive pastor of Crossroads Community Church, Rev. Kevin Smith, from Kokomo, Indiana. Pastor Kevin is been serving at this church for over 20 years. His role included the very beginning days when the church first launched. Carder recently sat down with Pastor Kevin to ask him what the ministry has meant for him over these years. Smith stated, “It is been a tremendous opportunity to share Christ with so many people through the decades.” Smith now serves as executive pastor and uses his experience to help guide the church and mentor others who are leading. Pastor Kevin is a parent of a student currently at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Additionally, Rev. Dan Meyer and Rev. John Klingelhofer (not pictured) from Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oakbrook Illinois were recently selected. Dan Meyer is the senior pastor and John Klingelhofer is the missions’ pastor at the church. Each of these men, in their own right are well deserving of this distinguished recognition. Both are individuals that have demonstrated a concern for the lease and the loss of our world today. Each of these men has integrity and leading examples of pastoral service and commitment for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Other pastors that have been inducted include;

Mark Atkinson – Eastview Wesleyan Church, Gas City, IN

Jonathon Welch – First Wesleyan Church, Chillicothe, OH

Chuck Osborne – Youth Pastor, Dayspring Wesleyan Church, Columbus, OH

Steve Coulter – Chapel Pike Wesleyan Church, Marion, IN

Ken DePeal – Olathe Wesleyan Church, Olathe, KS

Nicholas Hect – Sturgis Wesleyan Church, Sturgis, MI

Joe Gormong – Student Ministries Pastor, Faith Wesleyan Church, Terre Haute, IN

Wes Jones – Columbus Wesleyan Church, Columbus, IN

Tim McClellan – Lakeview Wesleyan Church, Marion, IN

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni and Church Engagement of Indiana Wesleyan University.

Rick has been with IWU since 2006 and has recently added to his role of Director of Alumni Relations the responsibility to connect with pastors through Church Engagement. Rick is ordained with The Wesleyan Church since 1989.