12/4/2019
Dear friends,
What an amazing weekend experience we had November 23-24, as we came together as one church, in one location, to celebrate and honor Lead Pastor Mark Beeson for 33 years of leadership. If you missed it or just want to relive the memories, you can watch online here. Mark is continuing to fight his battle against cancer, and we are united in prayer and support for him and Sheila. They love hearing from you, so please continue to drop them a line at communityupdate@grangerchurch.com. Your words and prayers mean so much!
As we look ahead to the Christmas season and coming New Year, we can’t help but be grateful for the wonderful staff and leadership team currently in place here at Granger Community Church. Ministry is continuing and hearts and minds are being impacted for Christ all across Michiana. As we take our next steps together into the future, since Mark Beeson’s role as lead pastor came to completion on December 1, we want to remind you that we’re all in this process together. Because Mark has been such a unique founding pastor and leader, and Granger Community Church is a unique church with a unique vision, the process of determining what comes next will take some time. As we navigate this transition, we will be communicating with you as we go, when there are any new steps forward to share. We hope you’ll continue in prayer with us for our church.
As Mark has so faithfully reminded us many times, “Great days are ahead!” We wholeheartedly believe that, and will continue to take our next steps toward Christ, together.
—The Directional Leadership Team and The Administrative Council of Granger Community Church
11/1/2019
Update from Mark Beeson
A quick update about how I’m doing. I’ve just returned home from a 7-day stay in the hospital.
I wondered this past week if this cancer was going to kill me. My body is weak, my immune system is shot, my grandkids say I’m looking pretty rough. I’ve had some very difficult days but I am comforted knowing there’s no place I’m going that God isn’t already there.
The plan: Three months of chemo, one round per month.
The goal: Stop the growth of cancer. Slow. It. Down.
I’m on a journey, knowing that along the way God is doing more than we could ask or imagine.
The plan was to slow the growth of the tumor. The amazing thing is in one month the tumor is smaller than it was when I began treatment. That’s astounding!
Because of this news we are encouraged. Our hope is renewed and I am going to keep fighting. This week my 2nd round of chemo begins.
I’m with my family. Sheila and I feel your prayers. We feel your love for us. We are grateful for you.
God is in control. He is holding us in the palm of His hand. I can’t think of anywhere better to be.
In His Grip,
Mark
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
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If you would like to send an encouraging note to Mark and Sheila, please email communityupdate@grangerchurch.com.
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10/24/2019
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts during these last few weeks. Last night, the Directional Leadership Team received the following letter from Mark Beeson. We wanted to share with you what Mark has shared with us.
DEAR TEAM,
I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND PRAYERS THESE PAST WEEKS AS I HAVE BEGUN TO ENGAGE WITH THIS INCREDIBLY SURPRISING SEASON. DUE TO MY DISABILITY AS I DEAL WITH STAGE 4 PANCREATIC CANCER, AND BECAUSE MY INTENTION AND DESIRE HAS BEEN AND IS ALWAYS TO DO ALL THINGS IN PROPER ORDER, TODAY IT IS TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT I SENT A LETTER TO OUR UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE SUPERINTENDENT, SANETA MAIKO, AND TO OUR BISHOP, BISHOP TRIMBLE, INFORMING THEM I NEED TO BE RELIEVED OF THIS CHARGE AS LEAD PASTOR OF GRANGER COMMUNITY CHURCH BY DECEMBER 1, 2019.
I CAN’T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE RESPECT THAT I HAVE FOR DR. MAIKO, HE IS A MAN OF GOD WHO IS TRUSTWORTHY AND HE WILL HELP US ALL STAY ON MISSION THROUGH THIS TRANSITION AND THROUGH THE YEARS TO COME. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT GRANGER COMMUNITY CHURCH WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A TREMENDOUS JESUS IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
NOW, I MUST FIGHT THIS CANCER FULL TIME. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH ME IN THIS FIGHT. LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING…I LOVE YOU.
IN HIS GRIP,
—Mark
In light of this news, we know you may have questions or thoughts, AND we want to remind you of Mark’s words he shared a few weeks ago:
DON’T BE AFRAID.
ALL THE GOOD GOD WAS DOING, GOD IS STILL DOING.
ALL THE PURPOSES GOD GAVE US ARE STILL GOD’S PURPOSES.
OUR MISSION REMAINS! LET’S KEEP HELPING PEOPLE TAKE THEIR NEXT STEPS TOWARD CHRIST TOGETHER.
Mark has communicated his confidence to our Superintendent, Saneta Maiko that our church is incredibly healthy, there is a team covering all the preaching and the Directional Leadership Team is running all departments with excellence. The Directional Leadership Team and our Administrative Council will be working with Saneta Maiko in the coming weeks to continue to develop clear next steps. Church family, this is where we are. This is what we know. We are trusting that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us. We believe in the strength in our teams as we journey through this together. Let’s continue to pray together for God’s Kingdom to come and God’s Will to be done.
The Directional Leadership Team
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10/4/2019
Friends,
Sheila and I are encouraged as we read and re-read your notes. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your care and kindness.
I told you I would update you after receiving reviews of my biopsy and tissue samples. I received them yesterday. I thought about their implications all day long.
Here is my update.
- The Oncologist confirmed the cancer is real…so, there’s that.
- Make no mistake, there is no current medicine to stop this. The cancer has metastasized. The report says it grows very quickly.
- GOD is not frightened, surprised or incapacitated by the cancer discovered in my liver and pancreas.
- The way forward means I’m heading into a fight.
Of course, GOD always has a WAY forward, but you should know that this fight will require all that I am, all that I have: loving the LORD with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. - I feel grit in my soul and unspeakable gratitude for my life in CHRIST.
- One phrase of the Westminster Catechism declares: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Life’s purpose is GOD’s glory; the purpose of my life has not changed because of cancer. I live for the glory of GOD.
- I am aware. Change is upon us. It is not coming; it is here.
We’re launching the “Stranger Things Series” this weekend.
Grab a bunch of your friends and engage them in their best opportunity of the week!
I’d love to see you there.
—Mark
9/24/2019
Our Granger Community Church Family,
I am home from my GCC trip to Israel, and since several of our fellow travelers spent a few days “sick” with intestinal “troubles” when we returned, I was not surprised that I was having some issues as well. Sheila and I figured, after a doctor’s exam, a couple of Aspirin and a brief nap, I’d be fine.
Well, they continued testing me…because more tests led them to more tests. They checked me into the hospital on Thursday. Sheila and I told our children, Amber, Aaron and Angela, and all three of them have been here since Friday.
Bottom Line: The tests are indicating that I have cancer. I have a 7 cm mass on my pancreas. It seems to have spread to the liver (not sure, but there are nodules on the liver). There are apparently lesions in the peritoneal cavity. All those things together form a strong possibility of cancer.
The Oncologist plans on doing a needle biopsy to test for cancer tomorrow…and he plans to give us more definitive information after the pathology reports come back…probably a week after the biopsy.
So…Sheila and I are preparing for my procedure this Wednesday…tomorrow.
To help you, our GCC family, we need to know what to say and how to say it…and we don’t yet have information that’s accurate and timely. At least, not right now.
There is no solid news but I want you to know that Sheila and I are in a process that is worth telling you about.
As I know more I’ll tell you…
Pray for Sheila. She is wonderful.
GOD’s got this.
Don’t be afraid.
All the good GOD was doing, GOD is still doing.
All the Purposes GOD gave us are still GOD’s Purposes.
Our mission remains! Let’s keep helping people take their next steps toward Christ together. That’s what I’ll be doing.
Fear not.
—Mark
If you would like to send an encouraging note to Mark and Sheila, please email communityupdate@grangerchurch.com.
If you would like to opt in for future updates, please sign up for our enews.