Indiana Pastor Battles Cancer, Then Launches New Church Plant
Nov. 6, 2009
Pastor Dave Terhune often drove through Rochester, a city in northern Indiana, desiring to see a Wesleyan church planted there someday. (Pictured on right in photo.)
After praying about the possibility for a year with Indiana North District Superintendent, Aron Willis, Pastor Dave felt that God wanted him to be the man for the job. Thus he and his wife Susan launched The Cross at the beginning of October 2009. At the first service, 167 were in attendance, and since then, the church's average has been 159.
The launch of the church comes after Pastor Dave battled cancer in his leg and lungs for five months prior. Recently, Pastor Dave was declared cancer-free after massive doses of radiation.
"We agreed not to start the church until Dave was cancer-free," says District Superintendent Willis. Before the actual launch and while still battling the cancer, Pastor Dave spent time building relationships in the Rochester community.
Dr. Willis knows the spiritual hunger in the city is overwhelming and noticed that Dave instantly became a magnet of the Holy Spirit in his new community.
"Dave is an incredibly gifted person in drawing people that buy into his vision as well as connecting with non-Christians," says Dr. Willis.
"The most exciting thing is at every service we've had people lining up at the altar, either rededicating their lives to Christ or accepting Him into their lives for the first time," says Pastor Terhune. "Others are putting their marriages back together."
A local restaurant owner recently experienced life change by attending The Cross and has created a way for those in the community to "get fed" both physically and spiritually. On Sunday, November 8, he is bringing his catering service to the church and donating 500 meals so others can eat and hear Pastor Terhune talk about Jesus. The pastor is highly encouraged by what is happening in his young church.
"What do you say?" says Pastor Terhune. "I can't deny this is God's church."
