While Lakeview’s foyer and worship center undergo renovations, the congregation will meet at The River North Campus, located on Ninth Street. Leaders expect Lakeview, now called The River South Campus, to be open for worship services by fall 2026.

 “This is a good opportunity for all of us to be reminded that the name that’s over the church isn’t what defines the church,” Chris Williams, Lakeview’s lead pastor, said. 

The lead pastors of each church said they see the merger as a win-win for the kingdom of God. 

“It’s not about one leader or one pastor. It’s not about me. This isn’t my church. This is God’s Church. He died for it, I did not,” Matthew Trexler, The River’s lead pastor, said. 

The pastors first proposed the merger to their church boards earlier this year. 

“It was a careful, careful conversation and discussion not taken lightly, and it took place over a couple months,” Bob Burchell said.

Now voted onto The River’s board, Burchell sat as the vice chairman of Lakeview’s board of administration, having also served as the assistant pastor from 2003 to 2008. 

“You know we’re coming to the end of our first five-year vision, and so in consideration for the next five years, Pastor Chris called the special board meeting to explore that with the board and shared with us that he thought the vision could be spoken into by the board instead of just him,” Burchell said. 

He said the board discussed issues Lakeview had, including maintenance costs and lower attendance numbers, which impacted the church’s ministry. 

“We looked at seven scenarios and categorically, kind of dismissed the ones that were obvious,” Burchell said. “One of the options was merge with another congregation to strengthen that congregation but also have that congregation be able to strengthen us.”

Building onto the merging scenario, Williams offered the idea of merging with The River. 

“We had several meetings to talk specifically about merging with The River and including Matthew Trexler and his wife meeting with us,” Burchell said.

The board voted to take the proposal and ultimate decision to the membership of Lakeview. 

“I don’t mind going on record saying that I waited to vote because I didn’t want my vote to be something that was self-serving,” Burchell said. 

Seeking God’s direction

Chris Williams said he first got the idea for the merger two years ago during January 2023’s 21 Days of Prayer.

“We were really focused on Matthew 6:33, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,’” Williams said. “And I … (felt) the Lord sharing with me an idea of these two churches coming together to serve our community.”

Williams said he kept the idea private but mentioned it to Matthew Trexler.

Trexler said he felt opposed until other people in his life pushed him or became moved themselves. 

“A coaching friend of mine challenged me with the idea that there has to be another church with enough space that the two of you could hook wagons together and continue to reach the 42,000 people in this county,” he said. 

The River has added 500 attendees since 2020, with a growth of 37% over the last 12 months for an average attendance of 1,800. The church’s current building, formerly Lincoln Elementary School, no longer meets all of the congregation’s needs.

“We had outgrown the space that we’re presently in,” Trexler said. “We were looking at all kinds of different angles to figure out how to add more space, open up more seats, because more seats equals more souls that we’re trying to reach for the kingdom.”

Williams served as Lakeview’s lead pastor starting in May 2020 and immediately faced challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When we could finally bring people back into the building, we had about 115 people gathering for worship on a Sunday morning,” he said. 

Several years ago, Lakeview averaged 1,300 in attendance. The church reached an average of over 300 before the merger.

“We’ve been trying to, obviously, grow the church, reach people in our community, serve needs, you know, make a difference,” Williams said.

Handling multiple issues while trying to grow and serve presented challenges to both congregations. Working together could offer solutions.

“You’ve got to consistently figure out, if you’re going to keep growing, how do you pivot into the next season?” Trexler said.

Taking it to vote

During meetings with the congregations before they voted, pastors shared their reasons for pursuing a merger and listened to members’ concerns.

Fifty-seven members, roughly a third of Lakeview’s membership roll, voted against the merger compared to two members from The River who voted against it.

“I don’t take that lightly,” Bob Burchell said.

He also said that the members who voted against the merger need to feel supported.

Karen Hershberger, a longtime member of Lakeview, has served on the church’s missions committee and in other volunteer roles. She said she did not vote in favor of the merger. 

“I felt like before our pastor’s proposal, Lakeview was not looking to dissolve or merge with another church,” she said. 

Still, Hershberger said she understands the situation.

“I feel like there can probably be some good things that come of it, but I was just not for it personally,” she said.

Others from Lakeview, such as Janet Richardson, said the change will be hard.

 Richardson attended both Lakeview Wesleyan Church and Lakeview Christian School. Over the years, members of her family have served as leaders for both ministries. 

“I’ve been involved at Lakeview my whole life, so it’s just a shock that it’s no longer going to be Lakeview,” Richardson said.

Before deciding to attend The River, Richardson said her family needs to discuss their options  and tour the children’s facilities. 

Many issues factored into the voting process. Burchell said he considered more than Lakeview when he cast his vote. 

“When it came down to it for me, it was about stewardship of kingdom property,” Burchell said. 

Moving ahead as one

Lakeview brings property to the partnership that includes three buildings with approximately 100,000 square feet of usable space. One building houses Life Center Counseling and another Westminster Preschool’s south campus.

Lakeview Christian School, which operates independently from the church, will hold classes in its current space for the 2025-2026 school year. After the school relocates, The River will renovate that portion of the building to better serve the growing ministry.

Because of the merger, the church can better focus its resources. 

“We’ll be spending less money to run the organization, (and have) more money to do what the organization’s mission is,” Chris Williams said. 

One of these missions is to reach younger generations.

“I see a lot of team growth and development, as far as welcoming any new team members. I also see some exciting new kid spaces in the near future as well,” Mallory Retherford said.

 Retherford currently serves as The River Kids pastor and said she’s excited for joint ministry.

“I am actually someone who loves to think of the future. But recently, God’s really just been speaking to me about what’s happening right now,” she said.

After the merger, Matthew Trexler remains The River’s lead pastor while Williams becomes an executive pastor alongside Amy Biegel. Other staff members are listed on the church’s website, theriver.cc. 

“It’s exciting and kind of nerve-racking all at the same time, to see how things will go,” Bob Burchell said. “(We)’ve done this and (want it) to be effective and work. So we’re trusting that God will bless it that way.”

The River meets on Sundays at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m. Starting Aug. 7, the church will run Thursday evening services, identical to the Sunday services, for people whose schedules don’t allow them to attend on the weekends. 

Local services take place at The River’s 759 S. Lenfesty Ave. location. 

Starting, Mayor Ronald Morrell addressed current projects and future goals.

Morrel said three million dollars have gone to road paving. 

Thirty-five thousand went towards Artificial Intelligence used to grade streets.

“This technology is really amazing,” Morrell said.

The AI has allowed Mike Graft and his team to map the city and focus attention on the worst streets.

Graft said it takes out the bias of grading streets when personal connection is involved. 

Citizens attending expressed concerns for the preservation of brick roads and broken traffic lights.

Morrell said due to lack of maintenance and those trained to maintain them, that the roads will need to be covered.

Traffic lights are in the process of being fixed with parts on backorder. 

The state oversees all work done on State Road Nine, with the Mississinewa River Bridge to reopen Nov. 17. 

The city has carried out 15 demolitions with 35 others approved. 

Morrell said there is a correlation to crime and drug usage and blighted buildings. 

The mayor’s office has reportedly received many complaints about property seizures. 

“There’s a whole process,” Morrell said.

Most demolitions originate from complaints near the blighted buildings. 

Commissioner Jerry Foustnight said the demolition process takes 3 to 4 months with assessment, warnings, and final approval.

Complaints about road conditions and blighted buildings can be put in on the MyMarionApp that launched this summer. 

Morrell said he plans to use it for better communication between the people of Marion and his office. 

Upcoming city events include the city’s Christmas parade Nov. 23 and the opening of the Walkway of Lights in Matter park the same day. 

Morrell announced over $200,000 investment in the city’s parks starting with a replacement of the zero to five age range park equipment. 

$100,000 has gone to the Home Repair Assistance Program providing services to the disabled and those over the age of 65. 

The last traveling town hall of the year will be Nov. 18 at BORN Church, 320 N. Adams Street. 

“We wanted to enhance the downtown with charm and make inviting space for families and children,” Anne Kohlmorgen said.

The money comes from the 212 degree grant from the Community Foundation of Grant County and the city of Marion. 

Planned improvements include new benches, trash cans and renovating alleyways. 

“It’s mainly about space making, or place making,” Jay Johnson said, “That is creating a space that is welcoming to pedestrians and residents and visitors, and just brightens up the downtown.”

Kohlmorgen and Johnson are chairheads for Historic Marion leading the design and promotion teams respectively. 

“We’re hoping for it to be completed by August/September of next year,” Kohlmorgen said.

Local business owners are hopeful for the “space making.”

“Any small thing brings people,” said David Henry, the owner of Mama’s Hometown Market. “All throughout the year, some of those alleys right off the courthouse are filled with people taking pictures because they’ve made it a scenic destination.”

Henry said he hopes more things come in further from the square to draw attention outwards.

“I would love to see some things, whether it’s banners or additional planters,” David Henry said.

Historic Marion formed about one year ago and was accredited by Indiana Mainstreet as an Okra downtown affiliate network

“So we’re basically just at the beginning stages,” Anne said, “and we’re going to kick off with a breakfast in January with the mayor.”

Before Historic Marion was founded, Marion had a Main Street organization that ran with similar goals.

“Marion’s main street organization kind of fell by the wayside. I’d say COVID was probably the final nail in its coffin,” Johnson said. 

Now, Historic Marion works in four committees to improve the downtown.

“The promotion committee handles promotion materials and organizes events such as the Eclipse-a-Palooza last spring,” Johnson said.

The promotion committee is followed by the design, organization and economic vitality. 

Kohlmorgen and the design committee handled the application for the 212 Degree Grant.

“At 211 degrees, water’s hot water. At 212, it boils,” Johnson said, “We’re kind of putting heat to the downtown to kind of move it forward.”

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Theatre Guild hosted its tenth annual 24-Hour Theatre Festival this weekend. The event pulled together high school and college students, challenging them to write, direct and perform an original play over the course of 24 hours. 

The event began on September 13 at 7 p.m. with actors participating in improv games. “During the improvisation games, the writers are observing all of the actors do all kinds of these crazy, wacky things, and in doing so, they can be inspired,” Jaykob Parsons, a director in this year’s event, said. “It’s entirely up to the writer, and then it’s up to the director to interpret.” 

After the improv games, the actors and directors were dismissed while the writers stayed up through the night creating a completely original play.

“It’s a very quick turnaround and lots of chaos is happening. Lots of coffee, lots of caffeine,” Lindsay Rice, technical director of theatre, said. 

Everybody gets involved while working on the shows — from improv to writing to prop management.

“One aspect that a lot of the kids like is the actors are asked to bring some kind of object or trinket for a prop. So whatever they bring, no one knows until the day of, and the writers have to somehow pick one of those props and incorporate it into their script,” Rice said. 

Outside of incorporating a prop, there is no required genre or theme for the plays written in 24-Hour Theatre.

 “They’re going to laugh. They’re probably going to tear up a couple times. There’s going to be moments where you’re like; that is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life, and there are going to be moments where you’re like; oh, that tugs on the heartstrings,” Katie Schloener, a director for this year’s event, said. 

In celebration of this being the tenth year of this event, there were a few extra surprises for the festival. A highschool theatre teacher has been attending this event with her class every year, and to honor her dedication, she received a special theatre themed blanket as a gift. 

The Theatre Festival still occurred in spite of the budget cuts to IWU’s Division of Music and Theatre, which shrank the theatre department significantly. 

“We sadly had to say goodbye to my second boss, Dr. Katie Wampler, so we only have one official theatre professor,” said Rice. “I work with my boss, Dr. Steve Wood, and we try to create a really creative and welcoming environment for the students.” 

“It’s amazing to be doing ministry in one community for 100 years,” said Pastor Noah Farmer.

To celebrate, Eastview held a free concert featuring the band Sidewalk Prophets. 

“How can we give back to the community? Why not have a big concert that’s free for everybody?” Farmer said. 

Sidewalk Prophets had performed in Gas City in 2018 and 2019 for the annual “Concerts in the Park.”

“Our church took them to lunch that day, so we kind of had an in there,” Office manager, Cindy Horn, said.

Through their connection, Eastview secured Sidewalk Prophets. 

“The celebration tonight, we wanted to celebrate with our community. So that’s why we wanted to bring in a free concert and make it a full experience with the food trucks and everything,” Horn said. 

Attendees brought lawn chairs and could order from various food vendors nearby. 

“It’s just not about inreach, but it’s about outreach as well,” Farmer said, “We care about our community and we want God to get all the glory.”

The church started in 1924 with 16 members.

“Reverend Van Matter was in Jonesboro and decided that the city on the other side of the river, Gas City, needed Jesus,” said Horn.

Growing, the church physically moved four times from tent meetings to the current building on 10th Street.  

“It’s been great, I love it,” said Toni Dudley,”Everybody is so welcoming.”

Dudley joined Eastview six years ago and has since gotten involved in their programs, becoming a greeter for the concert. 

“It’s an awesome church. Anybody that is interested in a church, a non-judgmental church, come as you are,” Dudley said. 

Dudley came as a single mother and was greeted with a hug from one of the pastors. 

“We are a church of second chances,” Horn said. 

Pastors, staff and members of the congregation worked together to organize and run the event. 

“It has been a lot of work, but we’re just thrilled for this opportunity to love our community and to celebrate,” Horn said. 

“I mean, Marion has to have some shining stars and events and things that happen. The fly-in is one of those. And so this is huge for our community. And this benefits the Grand County Rescue Mission,” said Jason Stepp, head of Sunnycrest Baptist Church, “So it’s always been something enormous.” 

The “Fly-In Cruise-In” is a fundraiser showcasing cars and planes. A pancake breakfast is done as well. 

The fundraiser is Grant County Rescue Mission’s (GCRM) biggest event. 

“It’s important for us to do this kind of fundraiser because it’s something everybody can participate in. But it also makes it public so people can see what we’re doing,” said Brad Terhune, executive director of GCRM. 

Last year marked the largest turnout with almost 3,600 pancakes served.

“It’s still important because it’s helping to save lives right here in Grant County,” said Natalie Broyle, director of thrift of GCRM. 

Broyle is one of those lives saved having been the first female graduate of GCRM’s Life Change program. 

“Life change really does happen here,” said Broyle. 

The GCRM offers services through food, shelter and classes both for work and religion. 

Broyle said this about the impact GCRM has on people and herself:

The community benefits from fellowship as well. 

“For the community, what this is, it brings people together. You know, there’s so much junk going on in the world today, right? That people come out here and just enjoy life and get away from all that and just visit old friends,” said County Commissioner Steve Wright. 

Both Wright and Stepp work for Event Audio and announce for local events. Wright has been announcing for the “Fly-In Cruise-In” for 30 years. 

“Get involved in your community, especially at a young age,” said Wright, “because a lot of us are getting old, we’re retiring and we need that help.”

This year’s fundraiser was sponsored by Cracker Barrel. It was sponsored by IHOP in previous years. 

“It was fantastic. First chance, I got to get a hold of one of the managers. He called and got a hold of a regional support person, and they all made it very seamless,” said Terhune.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Grant County, or CASA, held its 16^th annual Sand Sculpture Artfest on July 13 at the Splash House.

“We are a nonprofit agency here in Grant County serving abused and neglected children,” said CASA’s executive director, Leslie Hendricks.

CASA advocates for children in judicial proceedings, focusing primarily on safety, stability and permanency.

However, Hendricks did not come up with the fundraiser idea on her own. Two children pitched the original idea.

Bradley and Lauren Belcher wanted to do something for kids less fortunate than them and worked with their parents to fund ways to raise money.

“So in April 2009, the board of directors heard from those two children at the ages of 10 and 7 with this idea that no one had ever thought of before,” Hendricks said.

Now Artfest serves as the agency’s only fundraiser. CASA relies on donations and grants for the remainder of its funding.

“We have a $20,000 goal each year, and the community has always met and surpassed that. So we’ve been very fortunate,” Hendricks said.

Attendees and participants said they believe in CASA’s mission.

State Representative Lori Goss-Reaves said CASA is near and dear to her family’s heart.

“We love supporting this organization and all that they do,” Goss-Reaves said. “I’ve seen it firsthand, and this will always be a place I’ll be if I’m able to be here.”

In Grant County, CASA serves an average of 275 children each year.

“I believe if we didn’t have a CASA program in Grant County, there would be more children that fly under the radar,” said CASA supervisor Charlene Johnson.

Johnson said the homes that some of the kids come from are a façade, appearing great on the outside but not on the inside.

The Artfest allows the community to support CASA’s mission creatively, with each sand sculpture capturing a different aspect of Grant County life. 

“I’m always really impressed with what (CASA’s) volunteers and contributors can do there,” said Splash House director Andy Davis. “A lot of the sculptures are really impressive. People have a lot of fun with it, put a lot of work into it.”

Adults and children worked on sculptures using shovels and trowels, as well as spray paint and bubble machines.

“Just to see the number of people that come out and just enjoy playing in the sand, kind of (like they’re) going back to their childhood … it is really amazing,” Libby Root of Thriving Grant County said.

Libraries are continuing their summer reading programs across Grant, Miami and Wabash counties. 

“Studies show that if kids do not read 20 minutes a day through the summer, they actually fall back in their reading level,” Ami Brainerd, director for Troyer Memorial Library, said.

Troyer Memorial Library is located in La Fontaine, and while it is a private library, it is open to the public. 

“We’ve had a lot of participation,” Brainerd said. “Last year we had 61 people sign up and this year we have almost 120 people that signed up.”

To help kids want to read throughout the summer, Brainered said she reached out to local businesses and even the Fort Wayne Tincaps to get incentives for kids to complete reading goals set for each demographic participating. 

Libraries in Converse, Swayzee and Troyer also use incentives to help kids reach their reading goals.

Stephanie Riddle, the library director for the Swayzee Public Library, said that at the start of the summer reading program each participant gets a booklet that contains milestones for the participant to reach.

At the end of the summer participants turn in the booklet for a prize which range from a draw string bag to daily passes to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. 

“This year’s theme is ‘Adventure Begins at the Library’,” Andy Horner, the director for the Converse Public Library, said. “It’s actually part of a nationwide think, it’s the Collaborative Summer Reading Project.”

Similar to the Troyer reading program, the Converse library has a few demographics that can participate. 

“If you attend four of six weeks and meet all your reading goals, then you’re in the drawing for all of our big prizes,” Horner said. “And in that we go to the local businesses, we go to local organizations, Colts, Tincaps…things like that.”

Due to the size of the Converse Library, there is a limited number of people who can fit in the building to participate in the reading programs.

Horner also said that libraries are more than just places to borrow books, they are places of learning and growing community. 

“I just think we should always promote learning, always be learning and promote curiosity. It just makes the community stronger to have readers,” Brainerd said.

Both recent high school graduates and rising seniors compete for acceptance to the program. In eight weeks’ time, cadets progress from having no flight time to earning their private pilot certifications.

“The impact that (the program) makes on the airport is one thing but then the community also. We’re proud of the kids we want to show them off,” said Andy Darlignton, assistant chief flight instructor for Jeff Air.

With a 94% Private Pilot completion rate against the national average of around 20%, IWU and Air Marion’s program is a premier training program for the U.S. Air Force. Purdue University hosts the only other Air Force JROTC program in Indiana. 

Cadets come from across the country, with this year’s cadets hailing from Hawaii to North Carolina. 

Mark Johnson, the director of the summer flight academy with Indiana Wesleyan University, said the cadets stay on IWU’s campus for the entirety of the program and train at the airport.

“It’s not just Indiana Wesleyan University with the Air Force, but it’s also created a partnership with Air Marion here at the Marion Airport where all the flight training happens, as well as other partners that we have on the flight side as well,” Johnson said.

Jeff Air supplies the program with extra planes to support this year’s 20 cadets.

“Already, it’s just been a great experience on the knowledge side, like getting a great opportunity to learn about aviation and put it into practice by actually working towards your private pilot certification,” said Liam Obray, an Air Force JROTC cadet. 

Through Air Force funding, all costs are covered, bringing roughly $500,000 to the community. 

“This is not something that we take lightly at all, and this is really, truly a blessing that our city is leading charge on a program like this,” Mayor Ronald Morrell said. 

Morrell said he believes the program and airport will continue to have a positive impact on the city. 

“Education, I think, is going to be one of the top things that push economic growth in our city,” said Morrell.

The cadets said they have felt their own growth as well.

“It’s definitely helped me a lot to prepare for the future, whether or not I want to go into the military, which I do, but even if I didn’t, I still would have had a lot of resources and tools that I could use in the workforce,” cadet Bella Familia said. 

Cadets have been active outside of this program, gaining skills through the JROTC.

“Yeah. I’ve been in since my freshman year of high school. I really got to meet a lot of cool people, pretty much all of my really good friends came from ROTC,” said cadet Avery Coffey, “And it just gives you a really great sense of leadership and responsibility.”