Introduction

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I'm Mark O. Wilson, the Senior Pastor of Hayward Wesleyan Church in northwestern Wisconsin.

Hayward, Wisconsin is a small town of about 2000 people, but is also a world class community, hosting large scale events such as the World Lumberjack Championships, the American Birkebeiner (North America's largest cross country ski race), and some of the best fishing in the U.S. The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is in Hayward.

I have pastored this congregation since August of 1991, and it has been a wonderful adventure.

Our church has grown from 65 to 650 in worship attendance, and there are still many "unchurched fish" in the lake. As long as one person in our community does not know Jesus, then our outreach efforts are not complete.

Our aim is to reach lost people, build them into fully devoted and fully developing followers of Christ, and deploy them into the world to make a difference.

We want to touch the world from Hayward!

I've learned a lot about ministry in a small community, mostly from trial and error. God has placed a calling on my heart to encourage other pastors in small places.

My prayer is that "Revitalize Your Church" will be a source of hope, faith and joy to you as you serve the Lord.

Whatever your lot in life -- plant a garden!


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