Pastor Mark and Christie Hurt - Lawrenceville Wesleyan Church

Pastor Larry and Carolyn Theiss - Urbana Wesleyan Church

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DISTRICT CONFERENCE, 2004: Highlights of the Conference include:

Wednesday Evening, June 30, 2004 :

Dr. Thomas Armiger, fresh from his re-election as General Superintendent and eager to chair the IDWC District Conference, was on his game. The ordination service message got our attention. He focused his re mark s on Luke 10 and the story of Mary and Martha. His centered on being and doing. Mary spent her time being with Jesus; Martha spent her time doing for Jesus. He stated that it is easy in the ministry to get caught up in the doing and not spend time with Jesus. He challenged all of us that both being and doing are important. However, it is most important to spend time with the Master, then, turn to the doing of life.

Ordained Ministers in the Process of Transferred Received as Ordained Ministers in The Wesleyan Church

• Rev. Dwayne W. Brothers from the Free Methodist Church —Pastor of Small Groups at Heritage Wesleyan Church/Rock Island
• Dr. Richard A. Riley, Jr. from the United Methodist Church —Pastor of New Heights Wesleyan Church in Bloomington

The following were ordained as ministers in The Wesleyan Church

• Rev. Art Fowler
• Rev. Mike Seed

A reception honored the above ordained ministers included a cake honoring each and all the trimmings!

            Thursday, July 1, 2004 :

Dr. Ray Barnwell was elected District Superintendent by a UNANIMOUS VOTE of the Illinois District Conference!!! Congratulations to Ray and Sue!

A Welcome Reception was held at lunch with a beautiful cake in honor of our new District Superintendent Dr. Ray and his wife Sue!

Honored Ordained Ministers for 40 and 50 years of service:

• Forrest L. Adams         50 years           began in 1938
• Herbert E. Apel            40 years           began in 1961
• Meredith J. Bailie        50 years           began in 1954
• C. LaMar Brown            40 years           began in 1963
• Paul M. Burress           40 years           began in 1959
• David L. Castro            40 years           began in 1961
• Roy E. Crawford           50 years           began in 1951
• Francis A. Davis           50 years           began in 1951
• Fred M. Mahin, Sr.       50 years           began in 1951
• Richard B. Norton        40 years           began in 1962
• Leigh F. Nygard           40 years           began in 1962
• Steven R. Wright         40 years           began in 1963

Honored the following with a black glass plaque for Outstanding District Service:

• Rev. LaMar and Becky Brown
• Rev. Ben and Faith Moncivaiz
• Mr. and Mrs. Larry/Ruby Butts
• Mr. and Mrs. Lee/ Donna Dominguez

Honored the following with a gift as DBA Members and Statistician during the last 8 years:

• Rev. John Bray -Assistant Superintendent
• Rev. LaMar Brown -Secretary
• Mr. John Handy-Treasurer
• Rev. Steven Wright-Member at Large
• Rev. Joseph Liddick–Member at Large
• Rev. Ben Moncivaiz -Ex Officio Member
• Mr. Larry Butts-Member at Large
• Mr. Lee Dominguez -Member at Large
• Mr. Tim Howard -Member at Large
• Mr. Charles Muir-Member at Large
• Mr. Stephen Perry-Member at Large
• Rev. Rodney Pickett-Statistician

Awards were presented to the churches with greatest increase in AM Average, Sunday School Average, AM Percentage and Sunday School Percentage:  AM Average Increase                                      Percentage Increase  

Rock Island/Heritage   70                                 Decatur/First          250% (  6 to 15)

Robinson                     18                                 Robinson                 36% (50 to 68)

Oak Lawn                     13                                 Galesburg                 17% (54 to 63)

Decatur                           9                                Fairfield                    16% (45 to 52)

Galesburg                       9                                Bridgeport                13% (46 to 52)

Fairfield                          7

            Sunday School Increase                      Sunday School Percentage Increase

Fairfield                        18                                 Decatur/First            67% ( 6 to 10)

Robinson                     11                                 Clifton                       41% (22 to 31

Clifton                             9                                Fairfield                    32% (56 to 72)

Galesburg                       7                                Robinson                 32% (34 to 45)

Bridgeport                      5                                Galesburg                 29% (24 to 31)

                                                                        Bridgeport                  9% (54 to 59)

                                                                        Broadview                 9% (33 to 36)

Those elected/appointed to serve in District Offices are:

DBA MEMBERS: Rev. John Bray , Assistant District Superintendent, Ms. Michelle Hughes, Secretary, Mr. Alan Williams , Treasurer, Rev. Joseph Liddick, Rev. Benjamin Moncivaiz, Rev. Dan Szombathy , Rev. Steven Wright, Mr. Larry Butts, Mr. Lee Dominguez , Mr. Charles Muir. 

DISTRICT DIRECTORS: Rev. Roy Crawford, Best Years Fellowship; Rev. James Clements, Children’s Ministries; Mrs. Marge Tornga, Education; Rev. Ray Wahl, E&CG; Rev. Brian Sexton, Leadership Training; Rev. Ben Moncivaiz , Multicultural Ministries; Rev. Ray Anderson, Public Morals and Social Concerns & Wesleyans For Life; Rev. Rodney Pickett, Statistician; Rev. Rick Carder, Sunday School & Web Master; Mrs. Phyllis Miller, WKFM; Mr. Charles Muir, Wesleyan Men; Mrs. Zoe Seed , Wesleyan Women; Rev. Patrick Bergman , Wesleyan Youth; World Missions/Global Partners, Dr. Meredith Bailie.

            DBMD: Dr. Meredith Bailie, Chairman

            LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY CLUSTER MENTORS: Rev. John Bray , Rev. Ben Moncivaiz , Rev. Dan Szombathy , Rev. Steven Wright

            2004-2005 NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Rev. John Bray , Rev. Paul Scheuermeier, Rev. Dan Szombathy , Mr. John Handy, Mrs. Zoe Seed , Mr. Larry Butts

Twelve Resolutions were approved by the District Conference and will be edited for inclusion in the Standing Rules in 2005.

Bloomington/New Heights and Creve Coeur have moved from Developing Church Status to that of Established Church Status. Congratulations!

The conference reflected the face and heart of the Illinois District. You expressed your genuine love for one another and especially for Susan and me and you responded to each part of the conference with energy and enthusiasm. You came anticipating God to meet us and He did. You came knowing that change is inevitable and it was. You came understanding that there is work to be done and you did it. You came knowing that a leader was to be elected and you did just that. You did more than attend. You were once again participators in Kingdom work. And, we all enjoyed it! Thank you for your zeal. Keep it going until Jesus comes. I know you will give Dr. Ray and Sue Barnwell everything you have in support, prayers and willingness to follow especially into uncharted territory. God has a great future for the Illinois District. He has provided you with great leaders! Wow! What more could we ask for except that the Holy Spirit of God would fall anew and a fresh on each person daily. 

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