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Today our District Conference voted in Dr. Aron Willis as our new District Superintendent – replacing our retiring Dr. Harold Bardsley.

From an online biography of Dr. Willis:

Dr. Willis, a Hoosier by birth, was born and reared in a Christian home, living most of his younger years in southern Indiana. He was converted at the age of fifteen and received his call to the ministry shortly thereafter. He attended Frankfort Pilgrim Bible College in Frankfort, Indiana, where he received the BA degree with a major in Religion. In 1974 he received his Master’s of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Aron received his Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in May of 1992.

Aron has served Wesleyan churches in Washington, Indiana, and Allentown, Pennsylvania. In addition, he served eight years with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union as pastor of Faith Memorial Church, located in Lancaster, Ohio. From 1987-1988 Aron served as the Assistant General Secretary of Local Church Education for The Wesleyan Church. He served as senior pastor of First Wesleyan Church in High Point, NC, until July 2005.

Aron and his wife Sheryl have two married children and three grandchildren.

A short clip of Dr. Willis talking about the diversity in the church:




Thought those of you who don’t click on the links would like to see a picture of Ella swimming!

Ella Swims!

7.12.2006 — 2 Comments

Yes that’s right – Ella went swimming tonight!

Tonight was our 3rd BOX “Road Trip” for the Summer – held at the home of Dan & Tina Warren. God blessed us with a rain-free evening to enjoy food, fellowship, and a swimming pool!

Before things got too crazy, I was able to bring Ella into the pool (which was a cold, 82-degrees). She enjoyed it until I took her all the way under for her first time! She came back up with a big cough and an instant “I’m not-so-happy-with-Daddy” cry. She calmed down after a minute and I eventually gave her back to Jess to get warm.

The rest of the evening consisted mainly of Junior and Senior-high boys trying to “take out Pastor Stevan” – thinking they could move the un-movable! It was a great time!

Photoset of Ella from today is here.
Photoset of tonight’s Road Trip is here.

Finally tonight, a video clip of Josh Warren playing his “Virtual Boxing” game in the basement of their home!


First up – a clip of Ella in her door-jumper for the first time! Not too exciting, but the Grandparents are sure to enjoy!


Second – a clip of Ella chatting with Daddy about life, and love, and the fact that Mommy is away at a meeting.


Life Update

7.11.2006 — 7 Comments

“Hitting the ground running..”

That pretty much sums up the last 2-days of being back in Warsaw.

Church services on Sunday were incredible! The sense of “newness” was evident as our new Pastor “J” broke open God’s Word and shared with us – these are GREAT days for Warsaw Wesleyan!

After church on Sunday we found out that Jess’ Buick was sitting “dead” at the Sweeny residence after refusing to start for them on both Saturday morning and Sunday morning.

I had the car towed to Henry Goble’s who returned Miss Buick to us this afternoon with a brand-new battery, fixing the “she won’t run” problem! When I asked Henry how much the battery cost – so that I could pay him back – I found out that a certain Sweeny family “picked up the tab” – how blessed are we???!!! Thank you Dave & Renee!

Today I met the “Junior Bible Campers” at the church and had prayer with them before they headed down to Fairmount for the week. I then spent the next 2-hours cleaning my VERY lived-in office. Almost two trashcans full of “junk” later, the job was done.

After a few hospital visits, I enjoyed the company of one of my teens – Adam Stewart – and a meal at “mi lindo acupulco” – my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Good times over fajitas!

Tomorrow will bring my first staff meeting with our new pastor! Looking forward to learning more about his leadership style and seeing how my God-given skill-set continues to morph and collaborate with his as we minister here at Warsaw Wesleyan!

Today, Ella had her (a little late) 2-month check-up with Dr. Pitts. We found out that she is 13lbs., 3oz and is 24-inches long! We praise the Lord for continuing to bless our little one with health and growth! Ella is such a blessing to us – tonight she provided some stress-relieving comfort to me when she acknowledged (as she does so well and often) my saying, “I love you” continuously to her!

Finally – I found time this afternoon to upload some photosets to Flickr.

Here is a listing of what you may enjoy:

07.04.06 – July 4th Photos
07.05.06 – Ella @ her first Fish Camp
07.06.06 – Story Family Reunion – Winston Salem, NC
07.07.06 – Newspring Church & Visiting the Wilson Family
07.07.06 – Last Day in SC
07.08.06 – Finishing the trip to IN