Over the past two years, we’ve been blessed by many in the Northwest Conference who have shared an Encouraging Word video in our email Updates. Thank you to all who have contributed to this ministry of encouragement these past many months.
Today will be the last of our monthly Encouraging Words. While this Update item ends for now, let us continue to “…encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:1).
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Dan Pearson, Pastor of United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WI.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Doug Giese, Executive and Family Pastor at Bemidji Covenant Church in Bemidji, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Mark Habluetzel, Chaplain to the airmen of the 319 RW, Grand Forks AFB, ND. Mark’s role is to care for airmen and advise leadership in all things related to religious and spiritual matters, including worship services, counseling, resiliency and religious accommodations.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Neil Vance, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries at First Covenant Church in River Falls, WI.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Nathan Nelson, Youth Pastor at Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, WI. He has served in this calling since 2016 and is grateful to minister in his home church alongside his father and Senior Pastor Darrell Nelson. Nathan has been in youth ministry for nine years, and he and his wife Nicole have two children, Madelyn (2.5 years old) and Eli (4 months old). Nathan is also an avid outdoorsman, videographer and producer.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each month. View the next installment from Ryan Starr, Pastor of Worship Arts at Lakeview Covenant Church in Duluth, MN. He loves spending free time outdoors skiing, hiking and biking with his wife Laura, their three kids and their dog. Ryan enjoys good coffee and honest conversation. After enjoying adventures in Mount Vernon, WA, Grand Rapids, MI, and Chandler, AZ, he is thankful that God has brought them to northern MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Mark Stromberg, NWC Superintendent.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed an Encouraging Word to our weekly updates over the past two years. They have brought fresh reminders of God’s constancy and grace to the wider Northwest Conference. Beginning in July, we’ll continue these on a once-a-month basis.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jo Anne Taylor, Interim Pastor for the United Methodist Church in Willmar, MN. She is ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is certified as a Transitional/Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist. Jo Anne has previously served as Senior Pastor for First United Methodist Church in New Ulm, MN, and as Worship Pastor for Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis. She also taught music at Minnehaha Academy South Campus for 14 years. She is married to Bruce, and they have two grown sons.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Mike Brown, NWC Director of Church Planting.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Hollis Kim, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Don Ruffenach, Director of Youth and Children at Salem Covenant Church in rural Pennock, MN. He has served in youth ministry as a volunteer or clergy for over 35 years. Don is married to Lisa with four adult children who are also active in volunteer and professional ministry.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Sarah Holt, Director of Student Ministries at Bemidji Covenant Church, in Bemidji, MN. She and her husband Joseph have two fantastic adult kids and their first grandchild coming in May. She loves all things family, teenagers and Tolkien, in that order.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment Rachel Jacobs, Executive Director (Worship & Youth) at Hope Covenant Church in St. Cloud, MN. Rachel recently got married to the most awesome guy she’s ever met, JJ, in October 2021 and is enjoying the newlywed life alongside their little doggo, Minnesota (Mini for short).
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Ginny Olson, NWC Director of Youth Ministry.
As a source of encouragement throughout this stressful time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Brian Burton, Pastor of Cook Evangelical Covenant Church in Cook, MN. He and his wife Liz have served in Cook since August 2019.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Linda Freeman, Hospital Chaplain at Essentia Health-Virginia Hospital in Virginia, MN. Linda has volunteered for 30 years at 12 regional nursing homes doing weekly worship with music. She joined Essentia Health in 2016 and leads Grief Support Groups, visits with hospital patients, and is helping with Celebrate Recovery 12 step groups.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Todd Spieker, Lead Pastor at Rochester Covenant Church in Rochester, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from James Walsh, Associate Pastor at Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, WI. He has served the church since 1998. He is married to Heather and they have two adult sons.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Tim Johnson, Lead Pastor of Bloomington Covenant Church in Bloomington, MN. He has served the church since May 2005, and previously served churches in Minnesota, Michigan and Maryland. He’s married to Cyd (Cyndi) and they have three adult children and four grandchildren. They have a Wheaton terrier, Ole, who makes them laugh every day.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from John DuBall, Lead Pastor at NewDay Covenant Church in Rochester, MN. John is the planting pastor at NewDay and has been serving there for 13 years.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Kyle Gunderson, Lead Pastor at Cedarbrook Church in Menomonie, WI. Kyle has served over 20 years in the NWC. He was a youth pastor at Maple Grove Covenant and International Falls Covenant before moving to Menomonie in 2011. He and his wife Anna have four sons ranging from age 10 to 16 years of age.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Hollis Kim, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jamey Cassell, Pastor at New City Covenant Church in Edina, MN. He fills several roles overseeing worship services, managing the church facility and leading worship.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Vicki Newendorp, member of the NWC Disability Ministry Connection leadership team. Vicki attends Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN, with her sweet family.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Dennis Anders, Pastor of First Covenant Church of Virginia, MN. He is in his 37th year of ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jim Murphy, Lead Pastor at First Covenant Church, Red Wing, MN. Jim just completed his first year in Red Wing. He and his wife Deanna have two daughters, Natalie (19) and Greta (16).
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Dave Hugare, Lead Pastor of Lakeview Covenant Church in Duluth, MN. He and his wife Leslee have two children, Ethan and Macy.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Pastor Kecia Stroot, Hospice Chaplain for LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, MN. She and her husband Rob are mom and dad to 11 kids of their own, as well as frequent kids through the foster care program. God has also called them to start a charity, Faith and Action, that works with pastors in Haiti meeting the needs of some of the poorest in that country. Faith and Action is in the process of building its second school in Haiti.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Adam Christian, Lead Pastor at First Covenant Church in River Falls, WI.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Dan Swartz, Youth and Young Adults Pastor at Emmanuel Covenant Church in Shoreview, MN. Whether it’s working with 4th-12th grade students, wrangling young adults or chasing his little girls (ages 1 and 4) and their dog Spruce with his wife, Bethany, Dan says, “I’m pretty blessed all around.”
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Chanda Winkels, Children’s Pastor at Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria, MN. She has a Child and Family Master’s degree from Bethel Seminary. Chanda has two adult daughters, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren. Hiking, reading and baking are favorite activities.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Amy DuFrene, Christian Formation Pastor at Oak Heights Covenant Church in Hutchinson, MN. She has served the church for the last 12 years. DuFrene and her husband Mike have two boys—Malachi (10) and Nathaniel (8). They spend most of their spare time jumping rink to rink since the family loves hockey.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Kara Stromberg, NWC Associate Superintendent.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Hollis Kim, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Matt Kennedy, Lead Pastor at Roseville Covenant Church in Roseville, MN. Matt lives in South Minneapolis with his wife Nicole and three children Lucinda, Benno, and Rollo. He has served a number of Covenant churches in the Twin Cities over the last 10 years.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Aaron Thompson, Community Life Pastor at Crossview Covenant Church in North Mankato, MN. He lives there with his wife Stina and their four children Ruth (9), Iris (7), Eden (3), and Zion (19 months).
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jeff Olson, NWC Church Planting Associate.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Rachel Hart, Worship Pastor at Linwood Covenant Church in Wyoming, MN. Hart loves making music with others and leading God’s people in musical worship. If she’s not making music you can find her reading a good fiction book, enjoying conversation around a campfire, or sharing a cup of coffee with friends.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Scott Sagle, Pastor of Calvary Covenant Church in Grantsburg, WI. Sagle and his wife Monica—along with their two children, Emma (17) and Micah (14)—have served Calvary Covenant for over 15 years.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Rob Jacobson, planting Pastor of Restoration Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN. Rob coaches pastors and church planters around the Covenant. He is married to Michele and has three teenaged children. He enjoys running with his wife, cheering on his kids and caring for his two apple trees. Fun fact: Rob still rides the same motorcycle he bought at 16 years old.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Sandy Norris, NWC Director of Finance.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jonna Fantz, Worship and Community Life Pastor at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN. Jonna has also served as a spiritual director and Adult Discipleship Pastor in the Twin Cities area for over 20 years. She brings all her passion to bear as she writes and teaches and preaches, encouraging people to experience God through His word. She also makes a mean lasagna.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Brad Kindall, Lead Pastor at Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN. Brad has been a Covenant pastor in the Northwest Conference for over 28 years.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Paula Frost, a Covenant pastor residing in Bayport, MN and currently serving as a spiritual director and coach for clergy and ministry leaders. She is delighted to be married to Herb and loves spending time with their grown children and spouses. She is purposefully and prayerfully investing in Kingdom leaders and her incredible grandchildren.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jim Black, Pastor of Catalyst Covenant Church in Alexandria, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jon Kramka, NWC Director of Congregational Vitality.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jamie Staples, planting Pastor of Renew Church in Eau Claire, WI. He is married to Emily and is Dad to “three pretty awesome kids.”
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Tim Shekleton, Pastor of Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Joel Osterlund, Chaplain with Mayo Hospice in Rochester, MN, and Youth & Children’s Pastor at Salem Road Covenant Church. He has had the privilege of serving at various churches and camps in the Conference including Covenant Pines and Covenant Park Bible Camps. Joel is married to Merilea and they have two children, Jeremiah (19) and Anna (17).
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Hollis Kim, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development.
On a June evening in 2020, I received a phone call asking for help. Phone calls asking for assistance are nothing new in ministry. In the midst of a pandemic where we were still getting our bearings around in-person services with masks and social distancing, asking our rural church if we could help someone develop their ministry seemed—on the surface—daunting.
We were still wondering if we would be able to do any fall ministry with the restrictions we were navigating. Nevertheless, my initial conversation with Paul Menne resulted in a one-on-one meeting to see if we could help in his journey.
In Paul’s words: “I felt a calling toward Army Chaplaincy and worked toward that calling for the past five years by going to Bethel Seminary, serving as a Chaplain Candidate in the Minnesota Army National Guard, and going through the Covenant Orientation program. While finishing all these tasks and looking forward to the next chapter of life, I knew that I wanted to be better equipped for what was ahead. I also had a mentor suggest I look for opportunities to serve as I applied for Army Chaplaincy. I reached out to the Northwest Conference and let them know my situation and what I was looking to do. They connected me with Pastor Gary and Winthrop Evangelical Covenant Church.”
Our initial discussion provided clarity in what Paul needed to help him move forward in his journey. Additional experience in preaching and teaching, along with a working familiarity in pastoral ministry responsibilities would provide Paul with the experience and tools necessary to minister as an Army Chaplain.
New pastoral internship
My experience as Academic Dean in a Canadian Bible College included designing pastoral internships for our students so, along with our Leadership Team, we designed a six-month pastoral internship. Paul and I would meet weekly where we would discuss ministry issues, expectations and topics relevant to pastoral ministry and how that would dovetail into his chaplaincy.
We started small by having Paul lead in certain aspects of morning worship, and we built up his involvement in the services to the point where he would lead the service and give the morning message. Paul preached four times in conjunction with the current sermon series. Involvement in weddings and funerals, along with Leadership Team meetings, also helped in Paul’s development.
The pace and program that was developed helped to build Paul’s confidence and comfort within the community of Winthrop Covenant.
The outcomes of this internship became evident for both the church and for Paul. As far as Winthrop Covenant is concerned, what this internship did for the church was remind them that when we remain available to God for opportunities to minister, He will provide those opportunities. Internships, equipping the saints, preparing people in their call to ministry is not something reserved for the urban church. The rural church can be just as effective when open to the Spirit’s leading.
From Paul’s perspective, “They [Winthrop Covenant] opened their hearts and doors for me to be a pastoral intern with them. All despite not knowing me and this being in the middle of the COVID pandemic. When other churches had shut their doors, gone virtual and were no longer offering up internships, they went the other direction. They ran into the fire with me and for me.”
Winthrop Covenant contributed to Paul’s commission to the United States Army and he, along with his wife, Mary, and their nine children, are stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Paul is the Chaplain to the recruits as they arrive for boot camp.
For the benefit of the Kingdom
As Paul reflected on his experience with Winthrop Covenant, he shared: “Winthrop was able to not only develop this program to meet my needs, but also to meet the needs of the church community. The ability to balance and reconcile the needs of what was seemingly different things led to a connection of love between myself and Winthrop ECC. Even after I completed my internship, I returned to preach and lead once more before moving to South Carolina to assume my new position as an Army Chaplain.”
“The love Winthrop ECC had for me, and my family was and is something truly special that I did not expect, nor think would be available to me. But it was, and they showed me what kinds of ministry a small rural church can do,” he continued. “There is a whole untapped resource out there within the ECC body that I hope other churches can experience. I am grateful for Winthrop Covenant and for Pastor Gary for being exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it, for the benefit of the Kingdom as I continue on my journey.”
We praise God for His work in our lives and continue to search for other opportunities as He gives them.
By the Rev. Gary Gilkinson, Lead Pastor of Winthrop Evangelical Covenant Church
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from the Rev. Steve Fitzhugh, former elder and current Interim Youth and Families Director at Sanctuary Covenant Church in North Minneapolis. He is a best-selling author, and a long-time national itinerate speaker. In addition to serving youth, as a former NFL athlete himself, Steve is a consultant for the NFL mentoring both rookies and newly retired players.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Steven Osborne, Pastor of Salem Covenant Church in Duluth, MN. In the video, he recounts the church team’s recent experience of God’s faithfulness in Haiti during a mission trip in days following the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Herb Frost, Covenant pastor currently serving as Director of Vocational and Spiritual Development for the Evangelical Covenant Church. He is married to Paula, also a Covenant pastor, and they are living in Bayport, MN. They have three married adult children and four grandchildren, all of whom are true delights in their lives.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Deb Westphal, a founding member of the Real Life Covenant Church plant in Waseca, MN. She has served in many areas of leadership, started small groups and been a core volunteer in the Children’s Ministry. She is currently serving with her husband John at Community Covenant Church in Huntley, MN, as part-time ministers while she takes classes at Oak Hills Christian College. John and Deb have 2 amazing children, Ethan and Jacqualyn.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from the Rev. Dr. Rose Lee-Norman, Formation Pastor at Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis. She is grateful to have served there for the past 11 years.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Caitlyn Stenerson, Connections Pastor at Emmanuel Covenant Church in Shoreview, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Trinity Opp, Senior Pastor at Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria, MN. Trinity is married to Gwen, and they have five children, Josiah (15), Grace (14), Noah (9), Luke (7) and Anna (3). In his free time, Trinity enjoys riding his motorcycle, spending time outdoors and playing games with his family.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Dave Mergens, Pastor of Adult Formation at Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria, MN. His area of oversight includes all adult ministry, pulpit support and discipleship processes.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Michael Behm, church planting Pastor of Real Life Covenant Church in Waseca, MN. According to Behm, “I have a great passion for the small town church, an amazing wife that I love doing ministry with, and two incredible boys—Levi (10) and Matthias (7)—that keep me young and feeling old all at the same time.”
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Darren Olson, Lead Pastor of Dassel Covenant Church in Dassel, MN. Darren and his wife, Brenda, have served in ministry together for over 30 years. They are blessed with five adult children.
Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in a year-long celebration at Salem Covenant Church in Pennock, MN. Believe it or not, this church is 150 years old! This makes it the oldest church in the Northwest Conference as it predates the formation of the Covenant denomination by almost 15 years.
Lest we stereotype either historic or town & country congregations, Salem is a vibrant and thriving church. It has a wonderful facility with a gymnasium, even as it is situated amidst farm fields. It is pastored by the Rev. Jonathan Wilson, a gifted, brilliant and godly pastor. FYI … Pastor Wilson will be the Moderator at the Covenant Annual Meeting in just a few weeks. This gives you an idea of how highly respected he is in the broader ECC.
Following the morning service and a wonderful meal shared with the Wilsons, I was intending to head home immediately, but found myself wandering through the church cemetery instead. It sits just beyond the church building, something that is quite common in rural settings.
Suffice it to say that it was a moving experience for me. As I meandered up and down the rows, I recognized so many of the surnames of those buried there—names that have been influential in the formation and development of the broader Evangelical Covenant Church. In fact, several of the families buried in this holy place continue to provide pastors within our own Conference and the broader ECC. The earlier faithfulness of these departed saints continues to bear fruit in our midst even to this day.
It makes me wonder, will the lives we are living now produce the same in the future?
As Superintendent, I have had the privilege of connecting with a broad spectrum of churches. And even while so much of the emphasis within the broader Church appears to focus on metropolitan contexts, I am very aware that much of our strength is from elsewhere. As such, it is our desire to be more intentional in sharing some of the wonderful things that are taking place in churches throughout the NWC.
I thank God for churches, like Salem Covenant in Pennock, that continue to minister in powerful ways within their communities. I am grateful for the role these “unsung” churches and pastors play in our shared life.
By Mark R. Stromberg, Superintendent
The 2021 NWC Annual Meeting featured a theme video with testimony from leaders of four NWC churches about their ministry journeys through the challenges of 2020. The last in a four-part series taking a closer look at each church’s story, watch the video below to hear how Destino Covenant in Minneapolis adapted its Sunday worship and other offerings to reach more people during the pandemic.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Jessa Anderson, Director of the Cultural Field Experience program at Minnehaha Academy’s Upper School in Minneapolis. Jessa is working to educate, equip and empower students to engage in communities both locally and abroad. She lives in St. Paul, MN, with her husband, Erik Anderson—a pastor at Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN—and their 14 year old daughter, Nosipho.
The 2021 NWC Annual Meeting featured a theme video with testimony from leaders of four NWC churches about their ministry journeys through the challenges of 2020. The third in a four-part series taking a closer look at each church’s story, watch the video below to hear how Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria, MN, responded to community needs during the pandemic by creating the Salt and Light Initiative.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Brian Asker, Co-Planting Pastor of Crossview Rosa Parks in Mankato, MN. Brian loves to run, swim and play strategy games. He got a degree in computer science, but realized during his senior year of college that what he really loves is helping people connect to Jesus. He spent 17 years helping college students connect with Jesus before planting Crossview Rosa Parks.
The 2021 NWC Annual Meeting featured a theme video with testimony from leaders of four NWC churches about their ministry journeys through the challenges of 2020. The second in a four-part series taking a closer look at each church’s story, watch the video below to hear how Epiphany Covenant Church in Minneapolis, and its new church plant on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in Belcourt, ND, found hope in relationships during COVID.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Joelle Hassler, Executive Pastor of Discipleship at Crossroads Church in the Twin Cities. She enjoys helping people come to know Jesus and take the next step in their faith—whether that’s through weekend teaching, small groups, baptism or mission trips. When she isn’t at Crossroads, you can find Joelle enjoying time with her husband of 16 years, Adam, and their kids Ryan (11) and Hannah (9). Joelle is also a big fan of coffee, cooking, running and staying up very late.
The 2021 NWC Annual Meeting featured a theme video with testimony from leaders of four NWC churches about their ministry journeys through the challenges of 2020. The first in a four-part series taking a closer look at each church’s story, watch the video below to hear how Brookdale Covenant Church in Brooklyn Center, MN, experienced unexpected blessings as it opened its facility to three other NWC churches.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Keith Robinson, Senior Pastor at Riverwood Covenant Church in Greenfield, MN. He’s married to Amy, and they have four children and nine grandchildren, all of whom they get to see almost every week.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Char Rotvold, Family Life Pastor at Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, MN. In addition to serving at the church, Char is wife to Kirk, and mom to Kyle and Erika.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Erik Anderson, Campus Pastor at multi-site Crossroads Covenant Church in Woodbury, MN.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Chad Melton, Campus Pastor at Crossroads Church’s Eagan location. Melton and his wife Becky are parents to five children, also serve as foster parents when possible.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Dr. Jack Shields, founder and Pastor of The Door Covenant Church in Blaine, MN. The Door is “an imperfect church for imperfect people,” and Shields still loves surprising people with how good God is.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from John Meader, Associate Pastor at Crossroads Covenant Church in Forest Lake, MN. She is married to Geoff and they have two children. He leads the adult equipping ministries, while managing the overall financial and business affairs of the church. With a passion to know and experience Jesus, John has a heart to teach and bring others into a deeper, richer understanding of Christ and His kingdom.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Nicole Bullock, Lead Pastor of Blue Oaks Covenant Church in Crystal, MN. She is married to Geoff and they have two children. Nicole is a gifted communicator and has taught on many platforms including being the adjunct professor of preaching at Bethel Seminary.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Laura Johnson, Chaplain at Pine Haven Community Care Center in Pine Island, MN. Pine Haven is a 68-bed skilled nursing facility.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Andy League, Pastor of Lowry Community Covenant Church in Lowry, MN. He is married to Shannon and they have 4 children.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Kari Jacott, Covenant pastor and Clinical Mental Health Therapist at Fernbrook Family Center in Owatonna, MN. Kari loves to run, have outdoor adventures, golf, and spend time with her husband and children.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from Mike Bechtold, Associate Pastor at First Covenant Church in Red Wing, MN.
In the weeks leading up to our Annual Meeting, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from interim Covenant pastor Linda Norlien below. Linda and her husband Marv are co-pastors who serve Covenant churches as interim pastors. They are currently between churches and look forward to serving another church in the near future. They are both finalizing their transfer of ordination into the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Over the next 11 weeks, we’ll be introduced to each of the 11 pastors who will be ordained this summer. Normally we’d hear from them at our NWC Annual Meeting, but this year we’ve asked each one to combine a bit of their Ordination Testimony (Word of Witness) with an Encouraging Word for the wider NWC as part of our ongoing series.
We pray that you will be blessed and give thanks for each of these sisters and brothers who have been set apart for pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
View the next installment from interim Covenant pastor Marv Norlien below. Marv and his wife Linda are co-pastors who serve Covenant churches as interim pastors. They are currently between churches and look forward to serving another church in the near future. They are both finalizing their transfer of ordination into the Evangelical Covenant Church.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Renee Franzen, Lead Pastor at Brookdale Covenant Church in Brooklyn Center, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Khanh Nguyen, member of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis. She’s a wife and mother of two children and runs her own Diversity & Inclusion ministry called C3: Cultural Competency Consulting.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Mark Stromberg, Superintendent of the Northwest Conference.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Hector Calvo, Next-Gen Pastor at Destino Covenant Church. Hector, his wife Pierina and his three children Caleb, Mila and Aylee live in Brooklyn Park, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Collin Quinn, Minnehaha Academy teacher and Director of the Minnehaha Leadership Institute. Collin lives in South Minneapolis with his wife, Lisa, and their four kids, and has worked at Minnehaha since 2012.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment, the third in a series of three videos featuring students from Minnehaha Academy reflecting on leadership. Emma, Uyi and Elsie are members of the Minnehaha Leadership Institute serving as chapel interns at the Upper School. The Minnehaha Leadership Institute exists to develop servant leaders, who, through God’s story of redemption, are striving to become whole and holy people.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment, a Christmas greeting from ECC President John Wenrich and his wife Julie.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Paul Robinson, Executive Minister for the Love Mercy Do Justice Mission Priority of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Paul, his wife Kim and daughter Danyelle live in Blaine, MN.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment, the second in a series of three videos featuring students from Minnehaha Academy reflecting on leadership. Ava, Annika and Lily are members of the Minnehaha Leadership Institute serving as chapel interns at the Upper School. The Minnehaha Leadership Institute exists to develop servant leaders, who, through God’s story of redemption, are striving to become whole and holy people.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Tim and Linda Anderson. The Andersons are currently retired and have moved into Covenant Living in Golden Valley, MN. After retiring from First Covenant in Red Wing, MN, they have served in three interim positions.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Natalie Swanson, Program Director at Covenant Pines Bible Camp. Swanson has called CPBC home for the last three years, and loves “creating spaces for campers and guests to play and listen for God’s voice more clearly in retreat experiences.”
Roger and Anna Ross are planting Epiphany Covenant – Turtle Mountain, a network church located in northern North Dakota. November is Native American Heritage Month, and in a recent interview the couple shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing American Indian people.
Tell us a little about you, your family, your call.
Roger: I was born and raised in Denver, CO, and moved to Kansas when I was recruited to play football for the University of Kansas. I lived in KS for over 15 years. After getting married I moved to North Dakota and lived on my wife’s reservation.
We have been married for 10 years and we have four beautiful children. After a year of marriage, my wife and I moved to Minneapolis where we lived for eight years. In January 2018, I began to feel an overwhelming call to leave our lives in the Twin Cities and return to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation to start a church—and after much discussion, my family moved back to North Dakota that summer.
What can you help us understand about the history of others in your context?
Roger: The people of the Turtle Mountain Indian reservation have a history of hurt from various religions and denominations sent here to “save” the American Indian people. My observation now is that this community is a combination of people practicing Catholic faith and people trying to find spirituality and healing.
As a church, the ECC is endeavoring to repudiate something called the “Doctrine of Discovery.” What can you tell us about the impact of the DoD on your community?
Anna: The Doctrine of Discovery was created to give justification for taking and colonizing any land not inhabited by “Christians.” How did this impact my tribe? My community? My people? Well … that is a loaded question!
The DoD supported the dehumanization of Native people living on those lands and forced assimilation by any means necessary—including rape and murder. This is not history that just goes away, it continues to impact generations of people within Native communities.
How are families impacted when young men or boys are sent to boarding school, murdered or imprisoned? If they survive and are eventually able to return to their families, the traditional training and ceremonies to transition them into manhood have been lost. They no longer understand their traditional tribal family structure.
The women in the families are often forced to take on new roles while dealing with their own trauma they might’ve faced. These things completely alter the fabric of a community, and new “norms” are created that are often very destructive. This is just ONE example of how the DoD has impacted our people.
The Doctrine of Discovery is a symbol of destruction to the Indigenous people of this country. Destruction that came from people who did horrible things in the name of “Christianity.” If we, as a church, do not take a stand but still expect to make an impact in tribal communities, we are just spinning our wheels.
The ECC needs to make a large statement in order to regain not only the trust of American Indian people, but also to those in other communities of color. Scholars believe that the Doctrine of Discovery fueled white supremacy insofar as white European settlers claiming to be instruments of divine design and possessing cultural superiority.
Is this what we stand for? Sometimes a wound has to be reopened before it can properly heal. We cannot continue to ignore this or act as though this doesn’t exist.
What do you love about the context in which you live? How does that help you to experience God in a unique way?
Roger: I love living in this community because I am not only learning about the history of what American Indian people have endured for centuries, but I am also constantly reminded of the hope and resiliency of these people.
God created these people who have an unbelievably beautiful culture. For decades, the government and various religions have shared a mission to take that culture away.
What do you see as important needs in your community or about those in your context?
Roger: Our community has several needs. This reservation has an unemployment rate which exceeded 60 percent pre-pandemic. The tribe and a few other outside entities have addressed food shortages with food pantries, food drives and soup kitchens.
One immediate need that I see right now is winter gear for those cold North Dakota winters; hats, gloves, scarfs and winter coats.
Are you part of a particular association or ethnic-specific part of the ECC? What can you tell us about that? What do you enjoy about being a part of this community?
Roger: I am a part of the African American and Native American groups within the ECC. As a Black man, it has been great having the support and encouragement from both groups. My wife is also a part of the Native American group and has found connections and family who continue to encourage and support her as well.
What resources would you recommend for those who want to learn more?
- “Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery” by Mark Charles and Soong Chan-Rah
- “Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but Were Afraid to Ask” by Anton Treuer
- 9 Books for Native American Heritage Month
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians website
- Turtle Mountain Community College
Christian Action Commission (CAC), with the support of the Mosaic Commission and LMDJ, will be presenting a resolution in June at Gather 2021, regarding the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery.
Want to learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery? Here are two ways you can do that:
- Take this survey to help us gauge where our denomination is on this topic.
- Join a panel discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. We will be hearing stories about the Doctrine of Discovery’s direct impact from some of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. To join us for this webinar, please register here.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment, the first in a series of three videos featuring students from Minnehaha Academy reflecting on leadership. Miriam, Catania and Tobias are members of the Minnehaha Leadership Institute serving as chapel interns at the Upper School. The Minnehaha Leadership Institute exists to develop servant leaders, who, through God’s story of redemption, are striving to become whole and holy people.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from David Hoffner, Executive Director of Faith Formation at Minnehaha Academy. Hoffner lives in South Minneapolis with his wife Sarah and their three kids, and he has taught at MA since 2006.
Seth Bjornrud, Lead Pastor at International Falls Covenant Church, recently shared how he and a church member lived into their Relational Covenant, practicing civil engagement with each other in processing a disagreement over wearing masks at church.
May this encourage us all as a real-time example of godly conversation and committed community:
On Aug. 1, I accepted my first call to be Lead Pastor of the same church where I had served as youth and worship pastor. As I prayed about what my first sermon series would be, I knew it had to be about how we live together as brothers and sisters of Christ.
I found a document in our church called a “Relational Covenant” that was drafted by the leadership team over 10 years ago as a rule of life for how to treat each other and handle conflict in our church.
On the fourth Sunday of the series, I preached our promise to be “Considerate and Respectful.”
Under that heading our Relational Covenant says:
- We will offer our opinions with clarity and humility
- We will build each other up and not tear down
This is not the way we see disagreements being handled very often in our politically-polarized world. As I was preparing my message, I realized that I had experienced this Relational Covenant in action with someone in my congregation.
This person (who I will call John) told me one day that he did not agree with our church’s decision to require masks at our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our conversation we were able to discuss our disagreement while being considerate and respectful of each other. When we left, neither of us changed our opinions but we left appreciating each other more.
I asked John to join me up front on a recent Sunday where I shared about our conversation and we both got to answer these three questions in front of the congregation.
- What mischaracterization is said of your side of the argument that do you not appreciate?
- What is a strong point of the other person’s argument that challenges you and makes you think?
- What do you appreciate about the other person in your conversation with each other?
It was communion Sunday, and so we planned after the questions to take communion together in front of everyone else to show people how we can be considerate and respectful—even in our disagreements.
Jesus taught us not just to love the people who agree with us, but to love everyone. To me John is not a monster or an “other.” John is my brother in Christ.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Rick Carlson, Pastor of Prairie Hills Covenant Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Throughout his career, he has also served the Evangelical Covenant Church as a music composer and video producer.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Living Waters Covenant Church Co-Pastors Jon and Kris Stewart below. The Stewarts have served the church in Worthington, MN, for the past 16 years.
Hollis Kim, NWC Director of Pastoral Care & Development, recently participated in a Zoom gathering of chaplains serving in the Conference and provided the following update:
In my role as Director of Pastoral Care & Development, I have the rare privilege of being with our NWC Chaplains who provide pastoral and spiritual care in hospitals, retirement and other congregate residential facilities, in the military, and prisons and other contexts.
These faithful, courageous and compassionate ministers of the Gospel bring the loving presence of Jesus into the lives of patients, staff and their families during these extraordinarily trying times.
On a recent Zoom call with NWC Chaplains, I heard stories of how chaplains bring Christ’s heart of compassion to patients, staff and their families who lose loved ones—both to COVID and to other tragedies. Hearing these accounts reminds me that our chaplains—like nurses, doctors and other health care workers—continue to be on the front lines of care. They bring the fragrance of Christ and his compassion to folks who are suffering and struggling, often alone.
Our chaplains bring the presence of Jesus into places on the margins of our society, courageously and faithfully putting themselves in harm’s way to do so. One of our chaplains was deployed on a team to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Delta and is just finishing a quarantine “out of an abundance of caution” to protect others. While he wasn’t COVID-positive, two of that team were.
Would you join me in thanking our good God for our faithful NWC Chaplains, asking him to “direct [their] hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)?
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Pastor Stephanie O’Brien, Lead Pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. She is also a professor of ministry at Bethel University and Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Stephanie has opportunities to coach leaders around the world through speaking, developing resources and her podcast Lead Stories with her friend Jo Saxton. She is a sought after leadership coach, helping women and men to be intentional with their influence in all aspects of their lives. Pastor Steph is passionate about communities and individuals participating in the mission of God to the world. Her first book was released in the fall of 2019 – “Stay Curious: How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith.” Stay curious with Pastor Steph at www.pastorsteph.com.
Brian and Sandi Asker moved to Mankato in February 2019 to partner with Crossview Covenant in planting a new network church. Sandi recently shared this encouraging story of interpersonal ministry as they work to launch Crossview Rosa Parks:
We had a wonderful realtor, Gretchen, who has now become one of my favorite running, swimming and biking partners. When the pandemic began, we decided to be in “each other’s COVID bubble,” along with another friend of Gretchen’s.
I love making new friends in a pandemic! This friend, Gretchen and I have had wonderful conversations as we run miles around the country in the wee hours. Spiritual things often come up and recently, this friend asked me questions about a book on meditation she had been reading.
Gretchen has also opened up a new set of relationships for both Brian and me. We swim with a group at a local high school, and Brian recently went biking with a group of adults who meet on Saturdays. She is a great networker.
These two women were my lifeline in the first months of the pandemic when I thought I would get depressed, slothful and dead in my ministry of starting a new church. Instead, I found these women encouraging—even joining in some of our online small group or prayer meetings.
Since we returned to in-person worship mid-summer, Gretchen has started to serve. She has helped as a greeter and is going to try her hat at Kids’ Ministry this weekend. She rarely attends church alone, always inviting a friend or relative along. We also write to a female inmate in prison, through a program at Crossview.
The best part, other than the 5 a.m. runs in the rain, is watching lightbulbs going off while she studies Scripture with our small group on Tuesday nights. We are studying the Kingdom of God in the Sermon on the Mount.
It can be easy to isolate in these days, assuming no one is interested. Or assuming new relationships cannot be formed. But God is up to something new, even in the midst of COVID and in the lives of our friends. I am happy to be along for the ride (or run, as such).
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
Sandi Asker
Network Church Pastor
Crossview Rosa Parks
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Steven P. Larson, Senior Pastor of Oak Heights Covenant Church in Hutchinson, MN. Larson is “praising the Lord for the new call to a wonderful congregation in a community where the churches are working together for the sake of the Gospel.”
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff, as well as pastors and leaders from our churches and affiliated ministries, share a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from interim Covenant pastor Marv Norlien below. Marv and his wife Linda are co-pastors who serve Covenant churches as interim pastors. They are currently between churches and look forward to serving another church in the near future. They live in Southeastern Minnesota near the small town of Houston.
Mauricio Dell’Arciprete is the NWC Coordinator of Latino Ministry and Pastor of Destino Covenant Church in Bloomington. In a recent interview, he shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the Latino community.
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, what can you help us understand about the history of our Latino brothers and sisters?
Latin America has a very diverse population with many ethnic groups and different ancestries. As an example, we have more than 1,000 ways to say “Hello”!
Although Spanish is the most predominant language, Latin America is home to hundreds of indigenous languages—before the European conquests, it is estimated that there were as many as 1,750 different languages.
Even before the U.S. existed as a republic, people from “Hispanic” and Indo-America have been incorporated into the culture, history, life and occupational fabric of the United States. (You will find more about the impact of Latino culture in the USA on this page: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/uslatinocultures).
In our region, Latinos come from many different places and backgrounds. For example, at Destino Covenant Church, we have people from around 20 different countries. Some speak Spanish as a second language, English as a third language. Some people came escaping from social, political and economic adversities. Others came to find new jobs or career opportunities. From refugees to business owners, we have a lot of diversity. In any case, seeking the best for their family is a high priority for many Latinos.
What do you love about the context in which you live? How does that help you to experience God in a unique way?
I love the seasons we have in Minnesota, and I love the cultural and ethnic mosaic we have in Minneapolis. When you listen to faith stories coming from people that have very different backgrounds than you, you can appreciate the beauty of the body of Christ and learn a lot from their experiences.
The richness that comes from doing life together with people who are different than you is fantastic!
What do you see as important needs in your community, particularly in light of COVID-19 or the current political climate?
COVID-19 has several implications. One noticeable aspect is physical health, where, for various reasons, Latinos are more exposed to getting infected. The statistics are showing us that.
Also, there is an economic impact, where many Latinos work in jobs that have been affected greatly.
There is also an emotional impact. This pandemic forces us to practice “social distancing” and to avoid fraternal expressions like handshake and hugging. This proves to be very hard in the Latino culture in particular.
In the area of immigration there continues to be much uncertainty. Due to COVID-19, immigration cases that were already in process, have been put on hold or postponed. Not much attention is given to the human rights violations at the border, families being separated, children being caged, and refugee status being denied before a trial or hearing.
Are you part of a particular ethnic association within the Evangelical Covenant Church? What do you enjoy about being a part of this community?
I am part of the ECC’s Asociación Latina de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico (ALIPE) as a member and serving on the board since 2014. The Association exists as an ethnic commission helping the ECC Latino Pastors to move forward in their ministries, representing the Latino voice in the ECC, and working in partnership with the other ethnic Associations of the ECC.
This is a space where Latino Pastors can find contextualized training, webinars, resources and community. I love the energy, the openness and the authenticity that flows from this community.
What resources would you recommend for those who want to learn more?
- “Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective” by Justo L. Gonzalez
- “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity” by Robert Chao Romero
- “Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times” by Soong-Chan Rah
- “Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity” by David W. Swanson
- “A Future for the Latino Church: Models for Multilingual, Multigenerational Hispanic Congregations” by Daniel A. Rodriguez
For more information about this topic, I recommend contacting Juana Nesta, President of ALIPE, or Fil Nesta, Director of Latino Ministries for the Pacific Southwest Conference.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from retired Covenant pastor Alan Johnson below. Johnson served as a Covenant pastor for four decades and is now retired to a lake home near International Falls. He enjoys the North Country with his wife, Elaine, and continues serving as Church Chair.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Plymouth Covenant Church Pastor to Kids and Families Sara Sosa below. Sosa has been married to her husband Carlos for almost 24 years, and they have two children—Emma who is a senior at North Park University, and Matteo who is a senior at North Lakes Academy High School.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Roseville Covenant Church Associate Pastor Colleen Nelson below. Nelson lives in Roseville with her husband, Chris and three kids, Anneka, Broder and Jakob.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Minnehaha Academy Director of Diversity Initiatives Paulita Todhunter below. Todhunter works closely with the Office of Faith Formation to ensure diversity and equity goals are achieved throughout all areas of Minnehaha Academy. She also serves as a mentor for students endeavoring to be agents of racial reconciliation at school and in their communities.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Emmanuel Covenant Church founding Pastor Chris Studenski below. Studenski also serves on the NWC Executive Board. He lives in Shoreview with his wife Laura and his daughters Emma and Andra.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from NWC Executive Board Chair Jim Volling below. Volling also is a member of the Minnehaha Academy Board of Trustees. He and his wife Connie are members of Excelsior Covenant Church. He is an attorney and practices law in Minneapolis.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Sandi Asker, Church Planting Resident and Co-Pastor of Crossview Rosa Parks, a new network church plant in Mankato, MN, below.
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from Winthrop Evangelical Covenant Church Pastor Gilkinson below.
During the summer months, many of our church plants have begun to meet outdoors in addition to continuing an online worship service or connection time. The outdoor spaces allow for effective social distancing, and yet still allow for people to see each other, which is a significant need in this moment.
Many of our churches are adopting a “both and” posture rather than an “either or” posture when it comes to digital and in-person services in order to meet spiritual needs—and even to grow.
Here are a few fun, short updates or stories from church plants in our Conference.
Crossview South
At Crossview Covenant Church’s new Rosa Parks location in Mankato, Crossview South held its first in-person preview service in the COVID era on July 19 and had 49 people—including five new families—show up that have never been to the church before. Three of those families were not going to any church.
Many of these new attenders were people that Pastors Brian and Sandi Asker had made personal connections with after moving down to plant this new church over a year ago, including the realtor they purchased their home from! Stories like these remind us of the deep value in cultivating relationships and living and speaking in a way that make others curious about faith. Faith has always had a personal aspect to who we are but never needs to be a private thing.
The Crossing
Across the St. Croix River at The Crossing Covenant Church, Pastor Michele Arndt has begun outdoor services as well and has found in this moment the simple and stripped down service is actually a draw. People are seeking each other’s presence much more than seeking perfection or production from churches in this era.
Catalyst Covenant
In St. Paul, Catalyst Covenant Church began its worship services the first week in August and had five first time guests join. Pastor Jeff Olson, who also serves as Church Planting Associate for the NWC, expressed how before church began the team was able to connect with an outdoor fitness group, a number of people walking the park and even had one of those walkers stop and stay for the service. These are all people whom the church would have never had contact with at its previous indoor location.
North City
At North City Church in Minneapolis, Pastors JD and ChristianAnn Larson plan to launch in-person and digital micro-church expressions later in August that alternate from week to week. This means every other week there is a large group gathering, and on the weeks in-between smaller groups will gather that are focused on the mission of loving young families, and cultivating rest and community at the same time.
This time is no doubt full of challenges, but what are some of the opportunities you are seeing in your church at this moment? In the new ways your church has been doing ministry, what ways has God surprised you over the past several months?
As a source of encouragement throughout this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region, NWC staff have been sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. We’re opening up the Encouraging Words video series to feature more voices from throughout the Conference. View the next installment from HOPE Church Lead Pastor Paul Knight below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Finance Sandy Norris below.
Juana Nesta is President of the Asociación Latina de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico (ALIPE) and Pastor of the multicultural Stockton Covenant Church in Stockton, CA. In a recent interview, she shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Latino people.
What is your life like in Oakley, CA?
I never would have believed it growing up in Los Angeles, but we are currently on an acre of land 45 minutes outside of San Francisco. It is almost a farm as we have corn growing, chickens and a pony named Coco.
We have three daughters. Our oldest is in L.A., our middle is a college student currently home and our youngest is our miracle baby. She has special needs and was unlikely to survive past six months. Victoriah is now 10 years old. The pony is a therapy animal for her.
I am married to a church planting pastor and I have always been bi-vocational. I am co-pastor of our church while also serving as a teacher. I have taught preschool to junior high and am currently teaching first grade, and have for the last few years.
What did you learn during your time teaching during the stay at home order?
I had to learn to teach 24 first graders online. And I really feel more called to being in the classroom, more than ever. In person teaching really does make a difference.
Our district is 68% Latino. As time at home continued, I became even more aware of the disparities. There are some children I never connected with and am still concerned about them.
What can you teach us about what it is like to be a part your community?
The Latino community is very family oriented. Community is central. The ECC is an extension of our community, our family.
But we do feel unseen at times. All too often, since Latinos frequently exist on the margins and in the shadows, we get overlooked when racial issues are accessed. It would be tragic and irresponsible to repeat this mistake. So, looking forward we need to make sure that we are listening to the voices of the whole mosaic. For the Latino community, we must remain vigilant to address other issues such as immigration, poverty and police brutality.
Also, a word regarding language. The term “Hispanic” was a term handed to us. It has been used to describe Spanish-speaking countries. This term also carries a sense of dominance or the heaviness of the Doctrine of Discovery. It is a limiting, unhelpful term.
We would prefer to use the term “Latino.” This includes non-Spanish speaking cultures which are closely related, such as Brazil or Portuguese. Latino is a more inclusive word, hence, the reasoning behind the name change.
What are the needs of your community?
The biggest issue we face is immigration. It is very uncomfortable for some to discuss. We can say we love Jesus but then we pick and choose what to care about. But fear is alive and well in those I serve. I long for us to ask the question: How can we love our undocumented pastors, people and neighbors?
Within the system there are issues of justice and we need to rise up. We are trying to have a voice at the table within the denomination so that we can help make changes within the ECC and within our country.
Within the MOSAIC (ECC ethnic associations) we are trying to work together for change. The fact that the four associations exist (ALIPE, IMA, CAPA and AAMA) is a picture of how the Church can work for change. We are so different and come from so many different places, yet we are trying to empower one another and influence our denomination to be more reflective of the Kingdom.
One of the reasons my community has unique challenges is that many of us do not speak English. There is a language barrier on both sides.
But we are resilient and hard workers. We are valuable and worth a listen. It grieves me that they aren’t always given a chance to speak and are often overlooked.
What can you tell us about ALIPE?
It is the association for Latino pastors and lay leaders of the ECC. We are actually working on a publication about our history. But from what I know, the first Latino church was established in the early 1970s and the association that was then known as MHIPE (Ministerios Hispanos de la Iglesia del Pacto Evengelico) began sometime in the late ’70s or early ’80s. Currently we have about 80 Latino churches across the U.S., including church plants.
As the president of ALIPE, I also represent us at an international level with the participation in CIPE (Confraternidad de Iglesias del Pacto Evangélico), the network of Covenant churches across Latin America.
What would your encouragement for us be in these days filled with conflict, pain and challenges regarding justice?
The Dead Sea is rich in minerals and people can lie down in it because it is so full. However, it is dead. There is no life there.
We can learn and learn, get so full we can lie down in our knowledge. But we can remain dead. Instead, listen and learn. But live it.
The Six-Fold Test can help us to live it. As we have power, let us share and give it away. Share space. Share stories. Share power. Be accountable. Let’s help our churches remain accountable to one another, to the denomination. And I believe using the Six-Fold Test can help us to do this. Learn it. Live it.
What resources would you recommend for those who want to learn more?
- “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity” by Robert Chao Romero
- “Santa Biblia: The Bible Through Hispanic Eyes” by Justo L. Gonzalez
- “The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism” by Jemar Tisby
- ECC Immigration Immersion Experience: tour into L.A. and Tijuana (transformational even for those of us who understand what happens and are living it everyday)
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Church Planting Associate Jeff Olson below.
If you look at a typical youth ministry summer calendar, it’s packed with events and experiences: mission trips, camps, Vacation Bible School, bon fires and backyard grilling. These events create opportunities to build relationships as well as opportunities for discipleship. But this summer, youth ministry leaders have been scrambling to figure out what ministry looks like when summer programming is anything but typical.
We asked our youth pastors on Facebook about how their youth ministries have changed—or perhaps, have stayed the same—this summer. Here is what we heard:
“Our youth ministry looks incredibly relational. Running programming has gone closer to the bottom of our list of priorities, and spending time with students has moved to number one,” said Sophie Arland, Youth Pastor at Crossroads Church in Woodbury. “There has been no planning of services, events, and such. Rather, the question has been: How do we maintain and grow relationships during this season? Relationships with students and students’ relationships with God. The difficulty has been how to invest in those relationships and grow them while staying safe and keeping the engagement of students.”
The students at First Covenant in Red Wing gather outside at a weekly bonfire as they follow maximum size and social distancing recommendations. Knowing that youth ministry isn’t just about students, Mike Bechtold, Associate Pastor for Youth, also started a podcast for parents, talking about developing faith at home (www.redwingfirstcov.org/faithathome).
“Our group has been gathering every week for the last five weeks at our normal times and such, but we are doing more of a Bible study/group discussion format as opposed to our ‘traditional’ setup. We just started doing a game again last week,” said Jake King, Youth Pastor at Braham Covenant. “We’ve met outside until last week around the fire where we have tackled some of the deeper issues that are in our culture now. Being so far north there is a disconnect from many of the issues among students, but it has been very beneficial as it’s led to other biblical discussions. I plan to take the time to grow relationships deeper both with students and me and leaders and the students amongst themselves.”
He went on to say, “We also did a Q&A night which we haven’t done in a while, even before COVID. It really seems to help newer students click and feel like part of the group. Events are at a minimum for now, but I am planning some small group things like meeting at other leaders’ homes throughout the rest of the summer and fall.”
At United Covenant in Clear Lake, WI, Youth Pastor Zach Klein said, “We are meeting weekly all summer, which is actually a change.”
In order to keep socially distant, they’ve worked hard to create games that can be played spread out. They also split their group into two smaller groups to keep numbers down, but Zach noted, “Our numbers have grown since we started doing this!”
First Covenant in River Falls is still meeting weekly. Youth director Neil Vance said that rather than leadership team students hosting at their homes, “We are requiring that we meet at one of the parks in town where we are outdoors and there is enough room for everyone to spread out better.”
Linwood Covenant’s summer youth ministry is called “Summer Set” and has been meeting the last four Thursday nights in the backyard of the church. Chris Kelley, Associate Pastor of Youth & Families, observed, “We’ve had a smaller group (less than 20) each week, but it’s been wonderful to open the Word together, eat ice cream and play some volleyball together. Our current series is called, ‘Can I Ask That?’ It’s a series about questions students are often hesitant to ask. It’s been really good!”
No matter how youth ministry has changed this summer, it’s clear that two priorities are at the forefront: keeping students healthy and keeping them connected to Jesus and each other.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Congregational Vitality Jon Kramka below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Youth Ministry Ginny Olson below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Pastoral Care & Development Hollis Kim below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Associate Superintendent Kara Stromberg below.
The Rev. TJ Smith is President of the Indigenous Ministers Association (IMA) and Pastor of New Song Covenant in Anchorage, AK. In a recent interview, he shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous people.
What is your life like in Anchorage?
As we live here, we see Creator (God) in all we see. As I fish, I give thanks to the Creator that allows us to catch it, share it with our family and eat it. Currently the salmon are starting to run, and I am fishing for my family and elders.
I am also currently re-learning my Lakota language. I am at least the fourth generation away from the last Lakota speaker in my family. As I learn it, I find myself at peace with it. I was created as a Lakota. As I learn my language it helps me become more of who I was created to be, who I am.
My goal is to learn one to two words each week and use them in my prayer and everyday life. Even my dogs are learning it as I speak to them. An example is I tell our dogs hiya and wasté all the time (no and good).
What can you help us understand about indigenous people?
We, Indigenous people, are a people that are often unseen, invisible to most people. Often, we are left out of the conversations about racism or injustice that has or is being done to people of color.
In American history, and the founding documents of the United States, blacks were considered 3/5 human and Native Americans were considered “merciless savages.”
There are over 570 nations in the USA and Canada. Historically, Canadian experiences are different because of British influence. The Canadian Federal Government has given a public apology to the Metis, First Nation and Inuit people. Here in the United States, Doctrine of Discovery was practiced in the early days of Europeans coming to these lands. In 1492, the Pope gave Portugal the Doctrine of Discovery—and other nations accepted it and used it in claiming lands that we already occupied by Indigenous people around the world. It was used as people “used” the Bible to justify their colonizing lands as a way of finding a new Promised Land, bringing salvation to heathens and having God’s blessings in it all.
In the times of the “explorers” they allowed anyone to claim any lands as they saw fit for the flag of the country they were under. If they got to the mouth of a river and planted their nations flag, that river and all tributaries and the land where then that country. It continues to impact policy and our world today.
We can see current examples in pipelines at Standing Rock, water rights in California where a nation lost the federal recognition in 1982 as the Shasta dam wiped out their land and sacred land in 1941. We can see it in Hawaii with the desire to build a 15th telescope on sacred ground at Mauna Kea. Even as recent as the Governor of North Dakota telling the nine reservations to open their borders to let the traffic flow free although they had closed the borders of the reservation to protect the people from COVID-19.
We are thankful that the Evangelical Covenant Church is formally working to have the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery in Gather 2021. Philimayé (thank you) to Paul Robinson of LMDJ and Lenore Three Stars for your unending work in getting this repudiation done.
What are the needs of your community?
Many times people see a movie or read a book and think, “I know the people and the cultures.” Or because they understand one Indigenous people they think they understand all Indigenous people.
Of the 570 Nations in Canada and the United States, each Nation is independent, each has their own language, culture, traditions, foods, regalia, etc. Do not try to be an expert after reading one book or watching one movie. Keep learning. If you go and serve on a reservation, go asking, not assuming you know what they need.
Revelation 7:9 (CEV) is my heartbeat: “After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted. They were from every race, tribe, nation and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb.”
I long to see all nations, all tribes, all tongues worshiping Jesus each as we are created to be. Worship, as you are created to worship. And welcome others to do the same. For myself, as an Indigenous person I do not separate who I am, my culture from my faith. It is an Indigenous mindset. Everything we do is sacred, our life and relationship with Wakan Tanka, Creator, is integrated. All part of who we are.
See us. We are an invisible people. We may not be loud, but we are striving for equality and peace. Much has been taken from us, before Columbus landed on North America it was 100 percent Indigenous land, now we are less than 4 percent Indigenous land being put on a reserve or reservation with 20 percent of that being “owned by non-Indigenous people.”
Walk a mile in our shoes. When everything has been taken away from you, language, culture, traditions, traditional food that we can no longer gather or hunt … Do not judge us but listen to our stories. It will take us time with you as every treaty that was signed in Canada and by the United States government has been broken, so we rightfully do not trust those in authority or those outside our people and community.
What can you tell us about the IMA?
There has been an indigenous voice at the table of the Ethnic Association of the ECC since 2004. Now we officially have a vote at the table, along with the original Association AAMA, then CAPA and ALIPE. IMA was officially recognized by the Executive Ministers of the ECC in March of 2020.
We currently have 14 nations as part of IMA. We gather to learn to drum together, be in community as Indigenous people together. At Midwinter 2020, we had our first association dinner to gather together. It was encouraging to have Indigenous people come together. Though we are each unique, we have some common traditions; to share our stories, to hear our elders share their wisdom and to affirm our cultures.
We have often been told by some of our families, by the culture of the United States and Canada, to be ashamed of being who we are created to be. At IMA we are striving to be who we are created to be through the use of sharing our languages, cultures and traditions—all while we serve the Creator together in the ECC.
What resources would you recommend for those who want to learn more?
Listen to Supaman: He is from the Crow Nation and does hip-hop and rap. He is a follower of Christ and shares his culture through dancing in full regalia as he shares his humor, Scripture and injustices in his songs.
Listen to One World: We Are One, a group of singers and rappers, all indigenous artists.
Listen to Broken Walls, it is a Mohawk worship group. They do some songs in their language and use the drum for worshipping the Creator.
Some books to read include:
- “Crazy Horse and Custer” by Stephen Ambrose. A historical novel that compares the mindset of Crazy Horse and Custer and the cultural differences.
- “Unsettling Truths” by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah. A great book about the Doctrine of Discovery and the damage it has and continues to do to People of Color.
- “Neither Wolf nor Dog” by Kent Nerburn (also made into a movie). It gives great insight to how an Indigenous elder see the world.
- “One God Many Tribes” and “Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys” by Richard Twiss, an Indigenous Theologian.
- “Jesus and the Eskimo” by Fred Savok.
In film:
“Indian Horse” where a Canadian First Nations boy survives in a residential school in the 1970s and the impact of it on his life.
Some online resources to check out include:
- Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
- The Fullness Thereof: How Indigenous worldviews offer hope to a besieged planet
- ECC history in Alaska: http://www.alaskool.org/native_ed/research_reports/by_one_spirit/byonespirit.htm
- ECC Covenant Companion “The Alaska Story: https://covenantcompanion.com/2012/05/01/the-alaska-story/
- ECC Alaska Conference: https://www.alaskacovenant.org
Check your March/April Covenant Companion for recent stories of Indigenous Ministers
Also please contact TJ Smith for further conversation and to learn from his stories.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Superintendent Mark Stromberg below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Coordinator of Latino Ministry Mauricio Dell’Arciprete below.
Recently, we spoke with Rev. Mary Chung March, President of the Covenant Asian Pastors Association (CAPA) and President of the Mosaic (Ethnic) Commission, to share insights on the Asian North American experience. March serves as co-lead pastor of New City Covenant Church in Edina, MN. She is married to John (co-pastor at NCCC) and is a mom of four.
As we celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, what in particular are you grateful for or celebrating?
I am grateful to my parents, my family, my Korean heritage and my Korean immigrant church in Jersey City, NJ. I am grateful for the legacy of prayer and ministry of the Korean immigrant church.
I celebrate our CAPA clergy and lay leaders who have navigated cultural, achievement, and systemic barriers to serve and love their churches sacrificially—especially in our current COVID-19 realities. I’m grateful for our denominational family of churches who is leaning into practicing solidarity with one another in our multiethnic mosaic.
Can you help us to better understand the history and experience of our Asian brothers and sisters?
The term “Asian American” or “Asian North American” (including our Canadian ECC Asian brothers and sisters) refers to more than 24 Asian ethnicities, each with distinct culture, history and lived experience.
CAPA has 135 credentialed clergy. Of that 135, we have 53 lead pastors, 18 missionaries, 12 chaplains, three full-time professors (North Park Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Seattle Pacific University) and several adjunct professors, five senior administrators and directors, and two regional coordinators.
In terms of the diversity and heritages within CAPA, there is diversity in the term Asian North American. Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Korean may be among the first of such ethnic groups that come to mind, but “Asian American” and “Asian-North American” is also reflective of Hmong, Bhutanese, Mongolian, Cambodian, Laotian, Nepalese, to name just a few.
When we use the term “Asian North American,” we include more than 24 ethnicities. Despite how many distinct ethnicities, they can share the common experience of being seen as the “model minority” or “perpetual foreigner.”
Also worth mentioning is that fact that 75 percent of Asians in the U.S. are immigrants or children of immigrants (18 and under). In terms of Asian Americans, is it helpful to note that they have widely diverse and divergent experiences across generational and class lines. They are not all equal in their levels of education and social access.
Subjected to certain social myths, the most pervasive of which are the myths of the “model minority” and the “perpetual foreigner,” Asian Americans are not permitted to fit in, no matter how many generations they have been in the U.S. These myths are harmful to the Asian American identity and in relating to Asian Americans.
“When such umbrella terms are used to describe the varied experience of 20 million people hailing from diverse contexts and backgrounds, we unintentionally conflate (and flatten) the lived experience of people of Asian descent residing within the U.S.” (from the Midwinter 2019 CAPA workshop put on by Dominique Gilliard, Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice mission priority of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and Mark Tao, former CAPA Board Member and Pastor).
CAPA’s hope, and my own, is to broaden the conversation concerning the Asian North American experience and to bring greater awareness of the primary issues facing the Asian North American population in the U.S., Canada and in the Evangelical Covenant Church as a whole.
What do you see as some of the most important needs for our Asian pastors or churches within the ECC? What can we be praying for?
Right now, we need solidarity and people speaking up when they see xenophobia or acts targeted against Asian North Americans.
Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, started tracking these attacks on a new website he helped launch called Stop AAPI Hate. In the site’s first eight days, it received more than 650 reports of discrimination—largely against the Asian American community. In four weeks, 1,500 reports filed in. And these are only the ones being reported.
Here in the Twin Cities, Asians have received hate letters taped to their door, an elderly Asian woman was even kicked in the face.
Pray for Asian and Asian American communities impacted by xenophobia, racial/ethnic profiling, scapegoating, hate crimes and business boycotts. We need your prayers. I know you’ve all heard stories. They are real. People are being attacked like the two-year old and six-year old children who were stabbed at the Midland, TX Sam’s Club.
There was a recent story in Woodbury, MN, of someone posting a racist note on an Asian couple’s door. The note said “We are watching you. … We don’t want you hear (sic) infecting us with your disease.”
There are so many more not being recorded. Romans 12:9-10 calls us to authentic love. To hate evil and cling fast to the good. One way we can do that is to pray and speak up if you see something.
What is the mission of CAPA and when do you meet?
The mission of the Covenant Asian Pastors Association is to support and encourage Asian North American credentialed clergy, seminary students and any clergy and ministry leader of Asian descent serving in an Asian context.
It also strategically partners and assists the wider Evangelical Covenant Church as a denomination and its regional conferences on issues that affect Asian ministers, their congregations, and the greater multi-ethnic mosaic.
We hold our annual CAPA business meeting and dinner on Wednesday of Midwinter followed by our CAPA After Party. CAPA also hosts a Pre-Gather Retreat where we take time to encourage, mentor and minister to CAPA members.
Recommended Reading and Next Steps
- In Brando Simeo Starkey’s “Why We Must Talk about the Asian-American Story, Too,” Michael Luo’s New York Times article is discussed and highlights some hurtful realities experienced by Asians in the U.S.
- For the full story in Woodbury, MN, click here.
- ‘I don’t have the virus’: Asian Americans in Minnesota confront a COVID-19 backlash
- Sign the Asian American Christian Collaborative COVID-19 Statement
- Read the Asian American Christian Collaborative Action Steps
CAPA 2020 Board
Rev. Mary Chung March (President)
Rev. Stephanie Ahn Mathis (Vice-President)
Rev. Manoj Mathai (Vice-President)
Rev. Brian Hui (Treasurer)
Rev. Ancy Post (Secretary)
CAPA Website: https://www.ecccapa.org
CAPA email: ecccapa@gmail.com
Find CAPA on Facebook at: facebook.com/groups/ecccapa
Rites of passage are critical in an adolescent’s life. They help students and their families mark the transition from childhood into adulthood. In our culture, the high school graduation ceremony is one of the most important rites of passage.
Here’s how several Northwest Conference churches are honoring this big moment in the lives of their high school seniors.
Bemidji Covenant has 20 students graduating from high school this spring.
“I’ve made lawn signs with their senior photo and name, plus a gift bag containing ‘Starting Now’ (a devotional for the first six weeks of college), an 18+ phase guide for their parents, blessings written by me and their small group leaders, and lots of fun stuff like confetti, silly string and Swedish fish candy that is attached to memories of youth group,” said Youth Pastor Sarah Holt. “We also have a senior video we’ll show on our YouTube channel and for Sunday church online.”
Alexandria Covenant has 32 students graduating from seven different schools. Brian Farka, Pastor of Student Ministry, explained the church will be hosting its celebration right before the high school’s online graduation so students can get home to watch the live stream later that evening.
“We are planning to have people in cars in the parking lot to cheer and honk. They will get a grad brochure with pictures and grad info. The graduates will drive up, get out of their cars for a gift and to wave,” Farka said. “I’ll announce each grad over loudspeaker and possibly FM broadcast. They will then drive away and we’ll repeat for the next one.”
Amy DuFrene, the Christian Formation pastor at Oak Heights Covenant in Hutchinson, MN, is also utilizing the church parking lot to gather.
“We are going to do a drive-in/drive-by tailgate type graduation Sunday,” she explained. “We’ll have each graduate decorate their car, hand out cake from the kitchen and have families drive to each station.”
Smaller groups allow for a different kind of celebration.
“With four students we will have them show up for Friday night worship taping. And, with safe distancing under 10, present our fun/crazy gift baskets and this year’s grad parade pictures,” explained Pastor Craig Johnson of Mahtowa Covenant. “We are trying to go the extra mile this year with our amazing seniors.”
Some ministries are creating videos featuring the seniors. Nathan Nelson, Associate Pastor of Youth at Mission Covenant in Poplar, WI, created a senior slideshow as part of their Sunday worship service. He included a bio of each student and a flier for everyone to have.
https://vimeo.com/418748469
Matt Christiansen, the Youth Director at New London Covenant Church, is combining video with a small, live gathering.
“I recorded Zoom interviews with our seniors and am having a student compile them into a video that we’ll put up on our church website and social media for the church family to see,” he said. “It’s taking the place of them getting up in front of church and sharing their future plans. And we’ll have a small in-person Senior Night around a fire with affirmations pre-submitted by underclassmen.”
Alicia Vela Anderson, Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at Roseville Covenant, adds a personal touch to the celebration.
“Every year I buy books for the graduating seniors based off where they are at spiritually, and I present them and interview them in a service,” she said. “So, this year I’m delivering their books along with letters from their leaders/Sunday School teachers and we’ll record a Zoom call to add to our Sunday Worship service.”
Whether you are graduating from high school, or perhaps college or graduate school, or maybe eighth grade or kindergarten, the Northwest Conference staff celebrates this rite of passage with you and prays for God’s blessing on your future.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Church Planting Mike Brown below.
Church plants, by their very nature, have to be good at making changes and adapting quickly. In the first few years, many of these young churches face moving to different locations, birthing new ministries, changing leadership styles and leaders, and constantly learning in order to mature their ministry to help it be sustainable and grow.
Given that flexibility is a “must do” in Church Planting, we have seen many of our church plants be quick to adapt and adopt new ministry routines and ideas during the season of COVID-19 to further lean into the Great Command (Matthew 22) and Great Commission (Matthew 28). Here is just a small sample of the diverse ways several of our newest churches are going beyond digital worship and finding creative ways to do ministry.
Nearly all of our church plants are finding unique ways to safely volunteer their time, talents or treasure to give resources to local food shelves, people in their community and beyond. The many ways these churches are volunteering could be an article all on its own!
Renew Church in Eau Claire, WI, created an interactive page on its website for folks to both request different forms of assistance, and for others to help meet those needs in and around their community.
Restoration Covenant Church in Apple Valley, MN, is having congregation members share “encouragement videos.” These brief 2-4 minute videos sometimes connect to the Sunday theme but are often just the “overflow” of something good someone has seen or experienced during this pandemic. The church has enjoyed seeing and hearing from a variety of voices and faces. While it is extra work to crate these videos, people love being involved and seeing one another throughout the week.
Across the St. Croix River, The Crossing Covenant Church in North Hudson, WI, is doing a “Crossing Teens Talk Show” on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. The teens submit the conversation topics anonymously ahead of time, and leaders and students dig into these topics together. These conversations have covered a lot of ground—including processing grief and loss (losing temporary vs. eternal things) and conversations around character and contentment.
Catalyst Covenant Church in St Paul, MN, has hosted several webinars with live Q&A on mental health in the time of COVID-19 and on financial wisdom during this difficult season. As a result, the church has seen numerous people join home groups, which now all meet in digital formats. The Thursday night Facebook and YouTube Live drop-in Bible study has also been a source of connection and outreach.
Many of our pastors are also realizing the need to simply connect with their congregations, bring some levity and foster simple interaction to build community as many of us are isolated.
At Eden Community Covenant Church in Coon Rapids, MN, Zoom hangouts have been a way for people to connect and be real with one another.
At Real Life Covenant Church in Waseca, MN, beyond moving all of their ministry online, Pastor Michael Behm reminds us that our pastors and planters also need to model to our people the value of joy and a good smile every now and then, even in this moment:
https://youtu.be/y1qLLIQYPQk
How has your church adapted to meet needs, reach out and be a light in this time? We would love to hear from you! May our methods change but our passion to bless and be a blessing, and reach out with the hope of Jesus, remain steadfast even in these turbulent times.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Church Planting Associate Jeff Olson below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Finance Sandy Norris below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Congregational Vitality Jon Kramka below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Youth Ministry Ginny Olson below.
An interview with Mauricio Dell’Arciprete, Pastor of Destino.Church and NWC Coordinator of Latino Ministries
It was a Wednesday. We were preparing for the Sunday service, as we always do, when we heard the World Health Organization declare COVID-19 a global pandemic. From there everything started to change by the hour.
We had three emergency meetings in less than 48 hours, until we made the final decision to suspend all church meetings and activities until further notice. That’s when we invited the whole congregation to worship God connected online!
Describe your experience moving Destino Covenant Church online due to the current situation.
Our first online service was audio only, basically a podcast. The following week we prepared a video recorded service using an iPhone, including a welcome, announcements and message. Still very basic.
The week after that we were able to create more of the structure you see today, following a similar flow to our regular gatherings. We are now including testimonies from church members, recorded and shared using smart phones.
How did the congregation adjust to this new method of worship?
The first Sunday, people didn’t know exactly what to expect. Honestly, we didn’t either. The following week, we started using the free Church Online Platform provided by Life.Church and that was a huge step forward. The sound and video quality, the chat, the live prayer and the interaction with the congregation changed the initial resistance.
There is a difference between an “audience” and a “congregation”—the sense of community. This platform is allowing us to create community through live interaction with people.
On Easter Sunday, 12 people made a commitment to follow Jesus during our Salvation Call, and many more committed to their next step on their journey of faith though our online service!
We didn’t stop there. After the service, all of the attendees were invited to a Zoom meeting to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. Many joined us in our first ever Communion at Home. It was really memorable!
How has the current crisis impacted ministry beyond the Sunday service?
We quickly realized that the “why” we do what we do has not changed. However, everything else has changed, as you know. So we asked ourselves, how can we be disciples who make disciples during this time of crisis?
COVID-19 is not the only disease out there: anxiety and depression are threatening our lives and are devastating individuals and families. Social distancing has led to many feeling isolated and alone during this time. People are more aware of their need to connect with God and others than ever before.
That is why at Destino, we moved our Bible Institute and weekly discipleship gatherings online using Zoom and made the commitment to double the amount of small groups we previously had.
Technology is challenging for some, but with guidance and encouragement it has been embraced. One member said, “I was very skeptical about Small Groups Online, but after the first meeting I realized how much I needed to feel connected, heard and loved.”
Do you have a word of encouragement for other Pastors?
We know that the “Church” is not a building. It’s the ministry we do every day in every way. We don’t go to church, we are the Church. And nothing can stop us from sharing the love of Jesus with a hurting world.
Our methods might change but our mission remains the same. Don’t be afraid to find new ways to fulfill God’s call on your life.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Director of Pastoral Care & Development Hollis Kim below.
The hush of Holy Week has felt especially poignant this year as churches are figuring out what it means to create community and worship from afar. Across the Northwest Conference, churches are creatively designing services that fit their people and their context. Several our pastors shared what they’re doing this Holy Week:
At Catalyst Covenant in St. Paul, they are integrating art and worship. They are having an artist do three time-lapse videos in their Good Friday service of three paintings. Pastor Jeff Olson is creating three short talks to go with each painting.
Tim Coyer, pastor at Prairieview Covenant in New Richmond, said, “We will do Holy Week Services online; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. We are putting together Holy Week supply bags that people can either pick up tomorrow or have delivered to their house on Thursday. The bags have communion elements, a candle for our Good Friday service, coloring sheets for the kids, Blazing Center devotionals for our post-Easter series and some candy.”
Faith Covenant (Burnsville) is doing a Tenebrae service for Good Friday. Charlene Rotvold, Family Life Pastor, said, “Six members of our congregation taped a reading and written (by them) reflection on one of the seven last ‘words’ of Jesus. And our children’s and youth directors are taping special devotions for our kids and youth.” For Easter, they’re asking members to send in a video of their family saying, “Happy Easter!” to begin the service.
Living Waters Covenant (Worthington) is doing Holy Week services online: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, a Saturday prayer vigil and Easter. They sent out questions centered on the Easter story asking for responses which they’ll use during worship in a “talk show” format. They’ve also asked people to chalk “He is risen” on their sidewalk/driveway and submit pictures of their families around it.
Pastor Kris Stewart described the format of the Saturday prayer vigil. “We’ve been prerecording our services rather than going live. It will begin with welcome/explanation, people are invited to light a candle/dim the lights and then they’ll be guided through prayers/scripture readings. There will be pauses built in. However, since it is prerecorded, they will be invited to ‘pause’ for longer periods if they so choose. The service will be approximately 15-20 minutes long.”
T.C. Moore, pastor of Roots Covenant (St. Paul), held an online communion service for Maundy Thursday, using bread from a common loaf. He described it, “Osheta [Pastor of Community Life] and I will bake rolls from the same dough, individually wrap them and deliver them to each household on Wednesday.”
HOPE Covenant (Grand Forks) had people pick up communion elements, palm branches and kid packs last weekend for Palm Sunday. They also have daily devotions and a daily worship song. Pastor Paul Knight said that for Good Friday, they’ll have online drama monologues. The Easter service will be online, followed by an all-city (“We hope,” commented Knight) Easter car parade.
Moose Lake Covenant is using several different platforms to communicate with their people Pastor Craig Johnson said that they will be meeting for services via Zoom on Thursday night, a Friday night Tenebrae, and for Sunday school. Their Easter service will be via YouTube.
At Thief River Falls Covenant, Pastor Bert Foster said, “For Maundy Thursday we are doing a prayer and communion service via Zoom. We are doing recorded video services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.”
At Monticello Covenant, Pastor Jane Spriggs led a Maundy Thursday service via Zoom. She described the service as, “fairly contemplative with music, Bible readings, prayers and communion.” She will be broadcasting Easter Sunday via Facebook Live from her house. She described it as, “Interactive with live prayer requests, greeting and communion in homes.”
This is a sample of all the creative ways our churches are seeking to meet the needs of their churches during this extraordinary Holy Week.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the next installment from Associate Superintendent Kara Stromberg below.
Please know that NWC staff and Executive Board members are standing with you during this unprecedented time in our world, nation and region. As a source of encouragement, NWC staff members will be sharing a reflective thought and prayer each week. View the first installment from Superintendent Mark Stromberg below.
“Semper Gumby, Always Flexible.” It’s an old phrase used by youth pastors and Marines alike. It’s based on the rubbery, super-bendable, green claymation character from the ’60s. The flexibility that Gumby was famous for is a necessity in youth ministry. In youth ministry, youth workers know that circumstances change quickly and that they must be nimble and agile with their ministry plans. Never has that been truer than now.
In a few short weeks, youth ministry leaders have had to figure out how to go from leading in person to leading from a distance. While the methods might have changed, the basic premise is still the same—connecting relationally with students and their families and helping them pursue their relationship with Jesus.
In the Northwest Conference, our youth ministry leaders have been incredibly creative as they’ve flexed to minister in these changing times. Some approaches are high tech, while others are low tech. Some meet weekly in groups while others are meeting one-on-one. It all depends on what their context, and their students, need. Here are some examples of how our people are reaching students:
Joey King (Crossroads Church campuses – Woodbury, MN) and his team are doing a full service with teaching and worship on YouTube and then doing Zoom small groups. They are also doing daily devos through Instagram live to help get students engaged in scripture daily.
David Strelow (Lewis Lake Covenant, Ogilvie, MN) is doing a daily verse that he texts students and then it’s open to discussion.
Jake King (Braham Covenant, Braham, MN) is utilizing Instagram posts, a daily verse with discussion and one-on-one texts. He suggests using the “Remind” app for texting because it allows for more than 20 people in a conversation.
Alicia Vela Anderson (Roseville Covenant, Roseville, MN) is trying Zoom youth group this Wednesday with worship, a talk and small groups. They’re also creating a youth directory to connect students and leaders. She suggests trying the Marco Polo app for the high school group to stay connected. Sunday School and confirmation will both be held online.
Her insight during this season, “I’m trying to find a balance between resourcing them and not over programming. I want to try and find a way to do a few things really well with high engagement rather than over saturating our students.”
Michele Thompson Arndt, church planter at The Crossing Covenant Church, Houlton, WI, is hosting a Tuesday Talk Show for their students. This week, she posed the following questions: a) What has been the hardest for you personally about the past 2 weeks? b) What are you learning? c) What questions are you asking about Jesus/your faith as a result?
Mikey Bechtold (First Covenant Church, Red Wing, MN) is providing several different touchpoints: Wednesdays evening he’ll be sending out a link to a pre-recorded youth lesson with some reflection questions. Thursdays he’s sending out a pre-recorded confirmation lesson with some sort of online form for students to reflect on what they learned. Fridays he’s sending out a link to a pre-recorded Zoom call with a student he interviewed to share their faith story and talk about how they are navigating this season of life.
He’s hoping to coordinate a few projects like a team of students to write cards to those in our congregation who are shut-ins, widowed, or live alone. He’s also planning on starting a young adult Zoom gathering on Friday or Sunday night.
Neil Vance (First Covenant Church, River Falls, WI) is doing a youth group Zoom call during youth group time Wednesday nights to do games, a short lesson and small groups. They also started a Bible study plan on the YouVersion app where students can leave comments and do a Zoom study Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays to discuss the readings.
Neil added, “I’m also reaching out to students individually over text/phone calls to check in. More to come I’m sure, but that is where we are started now.”
Geo Linna (Riverwood Covenant, Greenfield, MN) is meeting via Live YouTube Wednesday evenings and using the comment section to interact with students. They are encouraging whole families to watch, not just students. On Sunday nights, they host their Zoom high school Bible study. She’s also connecting with parents through weekly parent e-mails with links to things like Spotify and YouTube worship playlists, games and other things to engage the family.
In her words, “I feel like it’s a great time to help the families get faith in the home.”
Rocky Hovda (First Covenant Church, Willmar, MN) began making YouTube videos last week. He said, “Monday and Friday are called DISC: Dive Into Scripture Challenge and are short tools used to give you a verse to memorize and a short story on it. Wednesday night I have one called revolution2020 which is a full lesson and some discussion questions that hopefully either parents will do with their student or my leaders follow up with. Sundays is a scripture reading video to get kids in the word and then a batch of discussion questions and a game. We also have many kids and leaders engaging on Houseparty! I purposefully put the launch times of Wednesday night and Sunday mornings there to keep some regularity in their schedule if they chose to do so!”
Layne Johnson (Moose Lake Covenant, Moose Lake, MN) met via Zoom with their senior high youth. He shared, “We just talked about our week and shared prayer requests. Now with a better idea going forward we’ll have a lesson time and small groups if enough teens are able to join us.”
Eric Kuehner (HOPE Church, Grand Forks, ND) said, “We’re doing a lot of similar things that other groups are doing at HOPE Church. We have a prerecorded service that premieres at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights with worship and a short message. From there our leaders are engaging their small group students and having their small group sessions after the service—whichever platform works best for their group. We do a Survival Kit giveaway during service and deliver it the next day. We have a daily SOAP devo (SOAP stands for Scripture, Observe, Application, Prayer) on our Facebook and Instagram page.”
Sarah Holt (Bemidji Covenant, Bemidji, MN) has students giving daily devotionals on Instagram. Their youth ministry is a recorded teaching video and then small groups meet in Zoom for an hour. In addition, she’s making personal phone calls to small group leaders and coaches, and they in turn are calling parents. Confirmation is meeting via Zoom.
She stated, “We’ll add more later, but for now keeping them in their normal rhythms has been good.”
This is just a small glimpse at how youth ministry in the NWC has quickly and nimbly changed in just over a week. Please pray for our youth ministry leaders as they figure out how to do Semper Gumby ministry in rapidly changing circumstances
Recently, we had the privilege of interviewing the Rev. Bryan Murphy, President of the AAMA (African American Ministers Association). Bryan is a friend and an important and wise voice at the ECC Mosaic Commission Table.
Bryan, will you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in Indiana and went to school at Purdue before I moved to California in the early ’90s to work in Silicon Valley. After a few years in California, I started to sense a call to ministry and went into full time ministry in 2007. I have been the Lead Pastor at my church, Southbay Community Church in Fremont, CA, since 2011.
I have been married to my wife for 20 years. We have three children and three grandchildren who are the joys of our lives.
As we celebrate Black History Month, what in particular are you grateful for or celebrating?
During Black History Month, I am grateful for the growing broader understanding of the contributions of African Americans in our country. I feel like the conversation is broader than just Martin Luther King Jr. and the contributions of this one man.
To really understand the broad and rich heritage we have, we look to black writers, philosophers and inventors. Understanding the breadth and depth of contributions enlightens and encourages people to appreciate the richness of a heritage that they can be proud of.
For many segments of black America, the culturally normative reality is that we have been and continue to be second-class citizens and are considered “less than.” The celebration of Black History Month each February gives us an opportunity to celebrate. Black History Month is not just for ourselves but for the entire nation to celebrate with us the rich heritage and contributions of our culture.
Related to that is my growing excitement that the conversation is becoming broader than just one that is held in a particular segment of American culture. I saw a post on Facebook the other day that was encouraging because majority culture people are using this month as an opportunity to tear down some of the historic divisions and stereotypes and educate themselves and their children.
And so, the thought of this month not just being for a segment of our culture, but for the entire culture to celebrate the mosaic and our diversity, is exciting to see. There is a perspectival shift starting to happen.
It is deeply encouraging to see the whole mosaic celebrating and engaging Black History Month in different ways. Can you tell us a little bit about AAMA, its mission, when it meets and who serves on the Executive Board?
The purpose of the AAMA is to 1) support African American credentialed clergy and African American seminary students who desire to transition to ministries requiring clergy credentials and 2) serve as a partner with the ECC and its regional conferences on issues affecting African American ministers and the ministries they lead in pursuing the goals of the Covenant and its vision to impact the world for Christ.
We have three major gatherings every year. Peer Mentoring is an event that we host in October. It is a great opportunity for fellowship and mutual encouragement. We also gather at Midwinter and at Gather each year.
Our AAMA Executive Board consists of me as President, Brandi Sanders as the First Vice-President, Michael Thomas as the second Vice-President, Nilwona Nowlin as Secretary and LaNiece Thomas Flagg as Treasurer.
As president of AAMA, what do you see as the most important needs for our AAMA pastors and churches within the ECC? What can we be praying for?
Many of our AAMA churches are serving under-resourced communities and one thing that would be beneficial is to have sister Covenant churches (particularly those who have resources, facilities, or things that could be a benefit) partner with AAMA churches. I think it’s very much an Acts 2 model. That is a tangible thing that could help establish stronger ministry connections across the Mosaic and heighten the ability to reach more people.
Outside of that, I think a continued validation of the effectiveness of ministries outside of the suburban context, and affirmation that there is a validity and a recognition that God is moving in our communities and people are coming to Christ. People in our communities are being healed and transformed in contexts where thriving can be difficult. It would be mutually beneficial to celebrate these stories, and to have those stories be a part of our joint purposeful narrative at local, conference, and denominational gatherings—informing and shaping our theology, voice, space and story as we see and appreciate how God is moving within our multiethnic mosaic of churches.
I think this is more of a touch point than a need. I think we can also be praying for marriages, families and God’s provision. And as you would pray for your pastors and peers, pray for our churches and pastors and the weight and burden of ministry and leadership our pastors carry in the contexts they are serving. Pray that we still find balance and rest and that we are living faithfully to the call but not burning out in the process. Many of our pastors are solo pastors and so they carry almost the entire weight of their ministry on their own. This references back to the partnership thing.
What are some resources you would recommend that would give us greater understanding of the history and needs of our AAMA community?
Resources:
- I would recommend watching this short YouTube video, “Systemic Racism Explained” and write down some thoughts, questions, or prayers that arise after watching it.
- Consider signing up for one of the ECC immersion experiences like Sankofa (Oct. 15-18, 2020 or Journey to Mosaic, Immigration Immersion Experience, etc.) or if you are hoping for something more local, ask your conference office to consider hosting one in your area. https://covchurch.org/justice/racial-righteousness/sankofa/
- Consider engaging a resource on Dominique Gilliard’s blog on “Black History Month Recommendations” https://dominiquegilliard.com/blog/
Great resources. Thank you for that. Lastly, for those who aren’t familiar with AAMA, what would be a good way to learn more about the association or get involved?
You can get involved by coming to one of our three annual meetings at Midwinter, Gather and Peer Mentoring. Our website is https://www.aama-ecc.org/. Or feel free to contact us at info@aama-ecc.org.
The Northwest Conference is comprised of roughly 140 churches, ranging from rural to urban, big to small. As generations change, churches continue to seek out new approaches to ministry rooted in the unchanging fundamental of God’s desire for His Church to be fruitful.
One trend among rural churches in the NWC has been an emphasis on moving their ministry reach beyond just the local community, out into the broader region.
Dawson Covenant Church in Dawson, MN, and Mission Covenant Church in Poplar, WI are two examples of churches that have experienced this shift over the past decades. Their pastors, the Rev. Erik Carlson and the Rev. Darrell Nelson, recently shared insights from their experience.
How and when did you move from a community church to a regional church?
Nelson: We transitioned from a community church to a regional church in the early 1990s. As a result of our church’s music ministry, strong preaching and good youth and children’s programming, we started to experience growth to the point of needing a new church building.
In 1996, we transitioned from our old building to the new building and continued to add on in the following years as the church continued to grow.
Carlson: Our church has had members from nearby towns for decades, but in the past five years there has been significant growth from outside our immediate community. I don’t think we did anything intentional to target regional growth at the outset. Our focus was to be a healthy missional church that welcomed visitors and demonstrated God’s love.
Over time, we noticed more people coming from different communities on verbal recommendation. Any assessment, however, of how we became a regional church would not be fair without recognizing the larger demographic/church declining trends in our surrounding area. We are the only Covenant church in about an hour’s drive, and one of the few “evangelical” churches in the region.
Transitioning to a regional church happened to us, we weren’t directly striving to make it happen. Yet, what our church did recognize was God’s movement. We’ve hoped to cooperate with these changes as faithfully as possible.
What does ministry at your church look like as you have moved toward becoming a regional church?
Nelson: Our facility has really enabled us to host many large sized events to love, serve and share our faith with those in our community and region. We host weekly children’s playgroups, day care programs, sporting events, Boy Scouts, a Karate club, a monthly food-share program to help feed families in our region and much more in support of our greater community.
The average person attending our church drives 13 miles one way. As a result, we try to do everything really well in short blocks of time. We only offer one youth and one adult Bible study on Sunday mornings. Confirmation is offered on Sunday morning or Wednesday night, whichever meets the parents and families’ schedules and travel needs. We have a full hour Children’s Church and three Sunday morning worship services.
One of the real draws is the fellowship time between and during services in the fellowship hall. Coffee and refreshments are served and people just enjoy being together in community. We also have a variety of small groups located geographically in the regional communities for people who attend our church from further away.
Carlson: Over the church’s 125+ years, we have gone from ministering to Swedish immigrants in the township, to people from a variety of backgrounds from two counties. The church has always been tasked with making disciples. Our mission has just expanded from sending disciples into one community to many.
Recognizing that people were hearing about the church and were willing to drive a distance led us to make changes. Some of our events like ‘Lucia’ were beloved, but did not speak to the growing numbers of people that didn’t grow up in the Covenant and had no Swedish heritage. We transformed that fellowship event so that it invites people to bring whatever heritage foods they like.
We also had to rethink how we were making a broad spectrum of decisions based on a multi-community rather than a single-community model. What is unique about the ministry that you are doing?
Nelson: We have the only youth pastor in the region (rural churches). I believe also the only full-time youth pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church in America in this small of a community—the Village of Poplar—603 people. Our youth programs draws youth from around the region.
Our Children’s Ministry, Mission Kidz!, is also really a huge focus in our church. We do not do Sunday School for our young children anymore, but strictly put all of our efforts into Mission Kidz! Children’s Church as we have a greater opportunity to reach non-churched, non-Christian families that way.
In addition, we have Individual Education Plans for any special needs children and will pair up a highly-skilled personal attendant to work with them alongside of the class. This ministry has had a powerful influence in our region and community.
Carlson: The church also took a leap of faith in hiring a full time youth pastor (the first additional pastoral staff in the church’s history) and building an addition focused on reaching the youth in the region. My understanding is that we are the only church in a 40-mile radius with full-time youth staff and regular weekly gathering.
What is your hope/vision for the future of your church and your region?
Nelson: Our area is in serious economic and social decline as people regularly leave for employment, schooling, opportunities, etc. The opioid/drug epidemic has also hit our county and neighboring county hard.
Certainly, we need revival and we need to faithfully continue all of our outreaches with the gospel and our ministries to our community. We want to continue to love God and love our neighbor!
Carlson: It is my hope that our church will continue to be a loving and welcoming place, and that God can use us to form mature disciples who will go on to make more disciples. I believe God wants to use our church to sustain and minister to the surrounding region for generations to come.
Mentoring is one of the many ways our pastors are being strengthened in their roles. It is most often not a formal process—but it can be a life-changing process for leaders at all stages of life. Here is a recent testimony from one of our young leaders, Pastor Nathan Hillman from Thomastown Covenant Church in Staples, MN.
“I’ve never been a DIY person. Whether it was learning to change the oil in my car or learning to communicate with people in healthy ways, I’ve always needed a lot of help. I guess that’s why, eight years ago, I was so thrilled that I got to start hanging out on a monthly basis with retired Covenant pastor, Merrill Kindall. Merrill has encouraged me, listened to me, prayed for me, and told me countless relevant stories from his own life and ministry. I thank God for him. Ministry today is too complex and dangerous for DIY.”
A simple approach for pastors looking for a mentor can be asking a more experienced pastor for the privilege of meeting periodically just to ask the two or three most current questions on your mind related to life and ministry.
The recent report, “The State of Pastors,” from Barna Research and Pepperdine University, states that there are more pastors over 65 years old still serving than all pastors under 40. This reveals at least two important things. There is a good supply of mentors out there, and there is a massive transition of leadership just ahead that suggests an urgent need for mentoring.
Some might say that “youth ministry” and a “youth lock-in” go hand in hand. For many youth, few things are more exciting than staying up all night with their friends being loud, eating junk food and playing crazy games. For youth pastors like Zach Klein of Maywood Covenant Church in Foley, MN, it is a strategic and potentially hugely influential event that is not for the faint of heart.
In 2013, when Klein started at Maywood, he was told that part of his job would be to host a lock-in for the youth group at the church. Although around 25 kids showed up to the first lock-in, Klein knew that he needed to do something different in order to bring more kids to this event and allow for the lock-in to play a bigger purpose in the lives of the students in Foley.
The following year, he decided to ask another local youth pastor, Nick Benson of New Life Church of Foley, to join forces to create a new level of excitement for the lock-in. They used the local high school’s swimming pool for part of the evening and planned for 60 students to attend. That year, the lock-in brought 93 students. They knew something was changing and agreed to keep planning for bigger and better.
The 2015 lock-in was a spectacular event. They were given permission to use the local high school for the entire night, brought in a speaker, and amped up the level of games and activities. The final count was 167 kids
“The night went off without a hitch, and we were very excited with how God worked that night,” Klein said.
Students had a blast, and most importantly, they deepened their relationships with Jesus. There were even several first-time commitments that evening.
God was doing huge things and Klein and Benson were ready to continue trusting that greater impact was in the future.
That is why in 2016, when 256 students showed up, Klein and Benson were not surprised. They rented inflatables, played games and even had a special concert from John Chuck & The Class. Students from the Solid Rock Discipleship Program at Lake Beauty Bible Camp were recruited to help out for the night. As an incentive to bring friends, Klein promised to let kids give him a makeover—including hair dye, makeup and waxed legs! The evening also included a special worship band and a guest speaker, Phil Johnson from the Twin Cities, who gave an altar call to which many students responded.
“This event has really shown me that God can use anyone,” Klein said. “Even two mid-20s guys can do great things for His Glory.”
After three great years at Maywood, Klein recently accepted a new call and has just moved into the position of Youth Pastor at United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WI.
Crossroads Church in Woodbury, MN, launched its Christmas series the weekend of Dec. 5-6 by hosting International Justice Mission’s Larry Martin. The weekend theme was “All I Want for Christmas Is … A Better World.”
IJM, a Christian organization that shows up, speaks up and stands up for the oppressed of the world, is one of Crossroads’ strategic mission partners. Crossroads has supported IJM in many ways—including a trip several church members took to Uganda 2 years ago to help organize and find paperwork within the court system to return widows and children back to their stolen land.
Crossroads leadership knew they wanted to start the Christmas series out differently this year. They also knew that they had the ability to do life-changing work. “We wanted to step out in faith and allow God to use us for something big, something radical,” said Erik Anderson, Director of Weekend Ministries. “If not us, then who?”
And so, as a part of the weekend, Crossroads made a goal to provide funding for four “rescue operations” (girls in forced prostitution, people sold in slavery against their will, etc.). Each rescue operation costs around $5,000.
The church produced long-sleeved T-shirts that said “ONE MORE #fourfreedom” and sold them throughout the weekend to fund the rescues.
Over $48,000 was raised in just 24 hours. On Tuesday, Crossroads found out that an anonymous donor had matched their funds – bringing the total raised to $96,000. The money will now go toward over nineteen rescue operations through the work of IJM worldwide.
“This is what Jesus-like people do. They carry the baton of justice and they work to set the captives free,” said Phil Print, lead pastor at Crossroads Church. “I’m so proud of the Crossroads family. To God be the glory!”
Covenant pastors in Minneapolis and Chicago are calling on the church to be instruments of peace in pursuing short and long-term solutions to racial issues between police and the African-American community.
Protesters have camped and demonstrated in front of the Fourth Precinct police station in Minneapolis following the shooting death of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African-American, on Nov 15. On Tuesday, Chicago officials released a video that shows a Chicago police officer killing a 17-year-old African-American, Laquan McDonald. The officer shot him 16 times.
Clark was shot during what police say was a scuffle with officers who responded to an assault of a woman in which he was a suspect. Some witnesses say Clark was handcuffed at the time, which police have denied. A state criminal investigation and a federal civil rights probe are underway.
Protesters had gathered outside the Precinct 4 station since the incident, and five were shot on Monday by several men wearing ski masks. No one was killed, and four suspects were arrested.
Community Covenant Church is located blocks from the police station and held a gathering for prayer and discussion on Tuesday night that was attended by roughly 120 members of other Covenant congregations and people who live and work in the area. Covenant congregations represented were Sanctuary Covenant Church, First Covenant Church of St. Paul, First Covenant Church of Minneapolis, and Roots Covenant Church.
The meeting opened with a period of prayer and song that was followed by an open-microphone time in which people could share their fears, hopes and concerns and then discussed actions going forward, said Dennis Edwards, pastor of Sanctuary. His church meets at a school located five blocks from where Clark was shot.
“Anger was a word that was mentioned a lot,” Edwards said. “There also was a strong desire to be instruments of peace.”
Edwards said the Covenant congregations agreed to form a committee of members from each church that would help them plan coordinated ways to pursue justice and reconciliation.
Edwards said the short-term solutions should include peaceful protest in the same way the Apostle Paul did in Acts 16 when he demanded public recognition of the injustices, which included jailing and beating, that were inflicted on him and Silas.
“Unfortunately, there’s not a short-term solution to the problems,” Edwards said.
Members of several Covenant congregations were among the people who have protested outside the police station.
Luke Swanson, pastor of Community Covenant, lives just several blocks from where the protests are occurring and heard the shots that wounded five people Monday night. He had been at the protest earlier in the day.
On Tuesday, he said, “I’m heartbroken this morning.” The shootings have heightened the tension, Swanson added.
Swanson’s church has experienced the racism that many say lies beneath the surface of Minneapolis society but is not discussed enough and rarely addressed. His church was the victim of arson, and the arsonist scribbled racist-graffiti on church walls.
Prior to the Tuesday evening meeting, Swanson wrote in an email, “There is an opportunity for the Church to be a nonviolent presence for peace and justice. I have reminded others in the community to be careful with language and words because our children are listening and watching.”
Swanson added, “I have been encouraged by the many conversations I have had with community leaders and residents seeking change for our community. This is not a time for finger pointing but to be united. No matter what one’s opinion is, Christians can make space to grieve with people, to call everyone to value the human dignity of all people, to point the way to justice and help be a peaceful presence.”
Pursuing peace will mean telling and listening to difficult, painful truths amid the “chaos” that comes whenever communities move from having surface discussions to really trying to engage one another, Swanson said.
Pastors said that although they believe a majority of police try to do a good job, incidents of racial injustice are frequent and that the judicial system, as well as other aspects of society, are stacked against minorities.
In Chicago a judge ordered Chicago city officials to release the video of Laquan McDonald being shot after police refused requests that the public be allowed to see it. The officer was arrested for first-degree murder hours before the video was released on Tuesday.
Police, the district attorney, and mayor have been criticized because it took 14 months to charge the officer although the video clearly shows the deceased walking away from officers in direct contradiction to earlier police statements.
Bryan Hodges, pastor to men at Oakdale Covenant Church, said getting all the facts on each incident is important in forming a particular response. That can be difficult, however.
“One of our biggest issues is how the media fuels the way they want you to respond. They want to see a violent protest,” Hodges said.
Hodges agreed the video was horrific, and he questioned why there was such a long delay before an arrest was made. On Saturday, a men’s breakfast at the church involved several police officers from the congregation discussing issues related to law enforcement, the justice system, and relationships with the community.
This article originally appeared on covenantcompanion.com, and is reused with permission.
This past August, First Covenant Church of St. Paul hosted its first Gospel Music workshop. The three day event, featuring T.J. Smith and the Oakdale Christian Academy Choir of Chicago, IL, opened the door to an incredible learning experience of history, music, and intercultural relationships. The workshops were free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to join in a gospel experience and to learn and worship with others in the Twin Cities area.
Several other Covenant churches in the area, such as Abbey Way Covenant and Roots Covenant, helped to comprise the almost 90 people who participated in this event. The final night hosted a concert with a mix of both contemporary and traditional styles of gospel music and featured singing from both novice and experienced gospel singers. Nearly 200 people attended the final concert and close to 200 people viewed the concert via online streaming.
For more on this story from Transform Minnesota, click here.
Mark Chapman, pastor of Countryside Covenant Church, says he knows it might seem strange for a congregation of around 70 attendees to construct a $550,000 building out in the country and change its name—but the people believe it is a sign of hope for their area.
People in rural areas struggle with the same personal and community issues as those in suburban and urban regions, Chapman says, with the added stress of declining populations. The move is a statement that the church exists to serve people.
The members of what was once simply Evangelical Covenant Church voted on July 26 to change the church name to Countryside. They chose from among four names.
“Countryside just soared to the top,” Chapman said.
With the name change the congregation wanted to send a message that “We are a welcoming church and more of a regional congregation,” Chapman explained.
He explains that the church had been known as LaBolt Covenant Church, but in their rural area, residents are less likely to attend a church attached to a specific nearby community, sometimes due to longstanding rivalries of one sort or another. “We’ve actually had people tell us they would attend our church if we moved out of town into the country.”
The new facility is 7,000 square feet, up from its current 4,000 square feet, and will enable the church to have a dedicated youth room as well as much more multipurpose space.
“Currently we hardly have room for our potlucks,” Chapman said. A new foyer with chairs and a fireplace will give people a place to linger.
Chapman says workers are 
racing to complete construction prior to the move-in date of Sept. 1. A dedication service is slated for Sept. 20.
The church was originally founded in 1900 wit the name Swedish Christian Mission Church of LaBolt and joined what is now the Evangelical Covenant Church. In 1965 the name was changed to the Evangelical Covenant Church of LaBolt.
The decision to relocate was part of a long discernment process that has included being part of the denomination’s Vitality Pathway. “We were on the pathway before there was a pathway,” Chapman said.
National Covenant Properties helped fund construction. “They really cared about our overall ministry as well as the building,” Chapman said. “They made this possible.”
Story originally published by Covenant Newswire.
Hello Dolly is First Covenant Church of Saint Paul’s most recent example of our commitment to build strong partnerships with our neighborhood public schools to invest in the lives of children and youth. What started in 2006 as a collaborative experiment with Farnsworth Aerospace School elementary students and First Covenant children has expanded to include students from both campuses of Farnsworth Aerospace School and Johnson High School who perform musicals each fall and spring.
Young people learn skills in voice, dance, acting, set design and building, lighting and sound arrangement. Confidence is built as students work as a team, set and meet goals and experience success in a major production. Academic performance is also impacted as young people discover new insights about their own abilities and dare to dream of future success.
Ultimately, these partnerships are about building relationships between peers and caring adults, with the hope that these relationships pave the way to a deeper connection with the church, and provide an in-road to a relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s inspiring to see our young people not just catch a glimpse for their academic future, but also dream about how Jesus is transforming their lives. Young people have gone on to attend Covenant Pines Bible Camp, VIVE and CHIC as a part of their connection with this church community.
Please join us at any of our three performances Dec. 5 (7 p.m.), Dec. 6 (6 p.m.) or Dec. 7 (10:30 a.m.) at Johnson High School. Admission is free, we do hope that you are able to attend this inspiring and fun event for all!
Download the Hello Dolly promotional poster
Submitted By Kate Makosky, Minister to Youth + Families, First Covenant Church of Saint Paul
First Covenant Church in St. Paul offers a portion of their land to Urban Roots, formerly Community Design Center of Minnesota, a Saint Paul-based organization. Urban Roots employs 30 teen interns from East St. Paul to operate six neighborhood gardens and grow and sell a variety of vegetables and herbs to the community. One of these partners, Roots for the Home Team, makes this produce into salads to sell to Twins fans at Target Field.
Karmel Covenant in Princeton, MN, has operated a garden on their property for the last 5 years, a vision of former pastor Allan Johnson. All plants for this football-field sized garden are donated from Uproot Farms, a local organic nursery, then planted, cultivated and harvested by volunteers from the church. All produce is donated to the local food shelf in Isanti County.
Karmel Covenant’s garden ministry took a heartbreaking turn recently when lead volunteer and caretaker, Tom Krebs, lost his battle with cancer in June 2014. Volunteer new caretaker, Steve Anderson, said “Tom had everything laid out on paper where the plants should go. We followed that to a T and that made it pretty easy, actually.” Pastor Gary Tonn says that Krebs had a heart for feeding the hungry and the church is dedicated to carrying on this vision, naming the garden the “Tom Krebs Memorial Garden.”
Such creative use of space!
Photo caption: Donovan DeGaetano, Pastor to Children and Families from First Covenant Church in St. Paul, enjoys a salad from Roots for the Home Team at Target Field.
At the Covenant Village of Golden Valley retirement community, 72-year-old Nancy Anderson and 74-year-old Jo Goodwater have been quietly mobilizing a crew of seamstresses to help folks halfway around the world and at home in Minneapolis.
In the last two and a half years, Anderson and her team have created hundreds of items for people in Democratic Republic of the Congo: 138 dresses that Congolese girls can wear to school, 66 baby layettes for newborn Congolese babies, 105 reusable surgical masks, 100 reusable surgical caps—50 for men and 50 for women who need a bit more room to accommodate their hair.
The outreach started when the Covenant Village activity staff asked Anderson, a retired consumer science teacher, to teach a class. She agreed, but noted, “The only thing I really wanted to do was something for someone else.” Many of the retired missionaries who live at Covenant Village had served in Congo, and Anderson was aware of the needs. She and her sister Jo Goodwater, also a Covenant Village resident, hatched a plan.
The schoolgirl dresses, made from used pillowcases, were the first Congolese project. After advertising the project within the Covenant Village community, collecting pillowcases from Covenant Village residents, and shopping thrift stores for pillowcases, Anderson and Goodwater soon had enough material to get started. They designated workdays. Each time, 10 to 15 volunteers came to the community’s creative arts center to cut, pin and sew. That established the procedure for future projects.
The layettes, consisting of a blanket, bonnet and shirt, came next. Anderson and her sister found flannel on sale, and the village seamstresses set to work. The sisters thought stretchable knit caps would be more useful than fabric, so they provided a pattern, knitting needles and yarn, and Covenant Village’s volunteer knitters created 200 tiny caps. Five workdays and innumerable knitting hours later, 66 layettes were ready to ship.
Surgical masks and caps were the most recent project. Anderson created patterns from disposable samples. Made of brightly colored and printed fabrics and bound with twill tape, the masks and caps are operating room supplies unlike any you’ve seen in the U.S. The bonus for Congolese surgeons low on all supplies: the masks and caps are reusable.
Anderson and Goodwater are interested in helping at home as well as overseas. Their very first project, in the summer of 2010, was 45 pairs of lined fleece mittens for the needy and homeless in Minneapolis. They repeated the effort in 2013, upping the donation to 75 pairs of mittens.
Living at a retirement community with a skilled nursing center on site, they know that nursing home residents stay cozy with lap blankets. So they mobilized the Covenant Village stitchers to create 35 lap quilts for Minneapolis-area nursing homes.
Supplies and shipping expenses could mount up for projects like these. But the sisters tapped their creativity for funds.
When their mother lived at The Holmstad, the Covenant retirement community in Batavia, Ill., they helped her make American Girl doll clothes and accessories to sell at the community’s annual Christmas bazaar. Now that they’ve moved to Covenant Village, they stitch doll clothes to sell at bazaars so they can buy needed supplies for their philanthropic sewing.
“When we were doing the pillowcase dresses, people wanted to give us money for the project,” recalls Anderson. “We didn’t want to accept donations, so we talked to the chaplains here at Covenant Village. They designated one Sunday’s collection as a postage fund for mission projects.”
“We want to help other people,” says Anderson. “And we’re trying very hard to be an asset here at Covenant Village.”
From the volume of material they’ve donated since 2010, it’s safe to say Anderson and Goodwater have achieved their first objective. When Anderson reflects on the Covenant Village sewing sessions, she’s hopeful they’re accomplishing the second as well. “We’re really concerned about building community and having people get to know one another. The work sessions have built some friendships in the community. I’ve gotten to know people better by doing this. That and Christ’s love are what keep us going.”
A lifelong Covenanter, Anderson attended Orchard Covenant Church in Springfield, Mass. Today she attends Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Goodwater attends services at Covenant Village of Golden Valley.
By Colette Claxton. Copyright © 2013 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
A group of runners from Crosstown Covenant Church outpaced all others in fundraising for Team World Vision during the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon last Saturday, and one member of the congregation raised more money than any other individual.
The Crosstown team raised at least $30,000. Thirteen of the 15 congregation members finished the race, even though many of them had never done any distance running, and only four had run a marathon, which is 26.2 miles.
Team World Vision involves athletes participating in public events such as marathons or half-marathons. The humanitarian organization views the team as a way of encouraging health among the participants as well as a way to raise funds for projects.
Several Covenant churches in the area, including Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville, and First Covenant Church of St. Paul, had teams, as did Minnehaha Academy. Crosstown member Nathan Johnson led the Minnehaha team, which raised the third-most amount of funds.
Altogether World Vision raised more than $200,000, said Crosstown Pastor John Jacobi.
The Crosstown team actually had 17 members but two were unable to run due to injuries. One of them was Josh Smith, the church’s director of worship arts, who was 290 pounds at 6-foot-4-inches tall when he enlisted. During his training, he lost more than 50 pounds.
Smith told a local news outlet earlier this year that he ran because, “Kids are near and dear to my heart. I can’t imagine a 12- or 13-year-old’s (being) worried about getting abducted on the way to get water. No kid should have to make that decision. I am doing something that’s tough for me, so they don’t have to make those tough decisions.”
Other team members included a woman who was four months pregnant and a woman in her fifties who had never run a marathon.
Crosstown member Karl Palmer, also a first-time marathoner, raised the most of any participant—$5,360. As a result of that accomplishment, he will have lunch with World Vision President Rick Stearns on Oct. 18.
“I never realized there would be an opportunity to meet with Mr. Stearns for being a top fundraiser,” said Palmer. “I was mainly motivated to tell people of the need to provide clean water for people in Africa.”
Palmer far surpassed his personal goal. “I planned to just get to $1,310 so I could focus on training for the marathon. As I continued my training, I continued to tell people about running for clean water. I am very blessed to know many generous people who offered their financial support.”
Jacobi was excited that so many people from his congregation, which has an average attendance of “maybe 200,” chose to participate. “The Holy Spirit challenged people to step outside of their normative life patterns and embark on ‘something great for God.’ ”
Crosstown has sponsored 40 children through Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision and would have designated their funds from the marathon to that project, but the charity already had decided that all of the money would go to Zambia water projects.
Jacobi also praised team leaders Sarah and Matt Zamastil. “I had nothing to do with organizing this, which is always great for a pastor,” he said.
The marathon effort benefited the congregation as well, Jacobi said. “It brought out leadership gifts and drew people closer together.”
Copyright © 2013 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Festival, created and hosted by La Bendición Covenant Church, will feature participation and sponsorship by various Brooklyn Park organizations, including the Mayor’s office, police department, fire department and local public schools. The annual celebration will take place on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 3-6 p.m. in the Redeemer Covenant Church parking lot.
The free event will feature a parade, food, live music, games, exhibits from a variety of Latin American cultures, and a new “Folklore Dance Contest.”
La Bendición has extended an invitation to NWC churches to “participate, promote, pray and economically support the Hispanic Heritage Festival,” according to Pastor Juan Lopez. “I await with excitement to hear from you soon and to count with your participation, but most importantly, that your congregation will take this initiative as a great opportunity to share our Hispanic heritage, show our unity and exalt our God through this event.”
Download the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Festival flyer, and contact Lopez at juan.humberto.lopez@gmail.com or 763-561-8769 if your church would like to partner in the event.
President Gary Walter was stunned Sunday morning when members of Maple Grove Covenant Church presented him with a $50,000 check to benefit Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision.
“Wow, wow, that’s amazing,” said Walter in a soft voice.
Pastor Chad Erlenborn gave Walter the check while introducing the president, who later brought the morning message. The money was raised as part of the congregation’s “Do Something” campaign. Erlenborn describes it as a short-term campaign to kick-start a long-term strategy to end extreme poverty.
The underlying theme was that no one person or organization could end poverty, but “we can all do something,” Erlenborn says.
Leaders were inspired by Isaiah 58, in which the prophet calls on Israel to fast for justice and serve the poor. Congregation members completed cards pledging to “fast” from a certain product or activity and donate the savings to the campaign.
“We asked people to give up something good to participate in something great,” Erlenborn says.
Some congregants gave up certain foods, others substituted meals such as beans and rice for their regular dinners. One individual rode a bike to work rather than drive and donated the gas money. Others decided not to go on vacation.
In the beginning, leaders did not know in what specific ways the money would be used. “Nine months ago when we started this, all we knew was we wanted to do something,” says Erlenborn.
They believed God wanted them to use the money to support ministry concentrated in one area. When leadership learned of the Covenant Kids Congo project, they thought it was a perfect fit. The congregation initially hoped to raise $25,000 – that would be matched with money from the church’s mission fund and other special gifts. The church far surpassed its goal and raised $53,000 – before the match.
Rather than just match the $25,000, church leadership decided mission funds would be used to match the entire amount, so the final total was $106,000. They decided to contribute $50,000 to Covenant Kids Congo and then allocate the remaining funds among several ministries.
“The beautiful thing was that it was sacrificial giving,” says Erlenborn.
Before Erlenborn presented Walter the money, he gave him all the pledge cards and asked the president to deliver them to the Congolese when he traveled to the country in August. “It’s not just the check that matters, it’s our heart,” Erlenborn said.
Walter replied that he would read the pledges from the cards, noting, “the gift will be incredibly meaningful to them.”
Erlenborn said Sunday’s worship service “was probably one of my best days I’ve had as a pastor, seeing how the church responded to the need.”
Following the service, Walter said, “I was so heartened by this gift. This is the fruit of a congregation that has really been seeking how to tangibly engage around deep need in the world, particularly Congo. I know there are many other congregations doing the same.”
Copyright © 2012 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
Steve Larson, pastor of Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, MN, was part of a five-member team of elected officials, civic leaders and businesspersons representing the city and making a presentation during the Community Engagement Leadership Institute, Jan. 9-14, in Los Angeles. The city’s invitation for Larson’s participation in this event is a sign of the noteworthy role Redeemer Covenant Church has in serving its community.
“One of the five ‘best practices of effective evangelistic churches’ is ‘community connection and credibility.’ The church must develop a theology of the city that sees the church as an agent of change for the good of the community (Jer. 29: 7),” said Jon Kramka, director of congregational vitality for the Northwest Conference. “We should always ask ourselves the question: ‘How can we bless our community?’ Redeemer is a wonderful example of a church living this out!”
During the annual conference sponsored by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Larson presented tangible ways that communities, school districts and agencies can begin partnering together to help children and their families. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Michael Davis, another team member, shared that the work in his city could not be happening without a commitment of all stakeholders, and the church has been a significant part of that work.
Within a relatively short time, Brooklyn Park, a northwest suburb of Minneapolis, has become one of the most diverse communities in America. One in three children now live under the poverty line. However, also within a short time, the crime rate has dropped significantly. This has been attributed to the city’s Community Engagement Initiative.
Larson explained, “The Go BP (Brooklyn Park) Coalition has been working to bring about renewal in our city through engaging all residents in the process of change, which was an initiative started by our former mayor Steve Lampi. (Lampi died of cancer last year, but the initiative is carried on by the people of the community.) Brooklyn Park was one of six U.S. cities chosen by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to send a team of people to Los Angeles for the Community Engagement Leadership Institute to share the process we have been following. I was asked to go with the team from Brooklyn Park because of the significant role the faith community has had in the process and the work that I lead to connect the churches to the community.”
A large part of the strength in the community’s fabric is the collaboration of the faith community and the places where churches step in to serve. This is an outgrowth of Larson’s leadership of the Brooklyn Area Ministers Association (BAMA). This past year, BAMA mobilized resources with the churches, school districts, the county, and the area communities to begin addressing the rising homeless population in Brooklyn Park.
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation has founded the national program to be modeled on Los Angeles’ Empowerment Congress, which was started in 1992 following unrest in the 2nd District of Los Angeles County. The foundation’s mission statement explains that it “supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.”
The Mayor’s Good Citizen Award was presented Oct. 24 to Steve Larson, pastor of Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, MN, during the City Council meeting.
A proclamation presented to Larson states that his “connecting efforts, determined spirit, mentoring and dedication have brought hope and healing to our community.”
“This was a complete surprise to me,” says Larson. “I was not ready to give a speech, which was evident to everyone there.”
Larson says the award testifies to the work of the entire congregation. The church recently sponsored its third annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in cooperation with La Bendición Covenant Church.
The city was so impressed by the previous two festivals, which promote multicultural awareness, that it co-sponsored this year’s event. More than 350 people attended.
A proclamation presented to Larson states that his “connecting efforts, determined spirit, mentoring and dedication have brought hope and healing to our community.”
Article by Stan Friedman. Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
Girls in the AWANA program at First Covenant Church in Red Wing, MN, had no idea they could save lives just by tearing up bed sheets.
That is one of the reasons they have been so enthusiastic to participate in the church’s bandage rolling ministry, which has been primarily the responsibility of senior adult women in the congregation.
Girls in third through fifth grades tear bed sheets every Wednesday night before the AWANA meetings start. High school girls also have assisted.
Women sew the bandages to correct lengths in their homes and then gather once a month to roll them. The strip bandages are desperately needed in hospitals and clinics operated by the Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM).
Linda Anderson, who works with the ministry in Red Wing, notes how the ministry can involve a breadth of people in the congregation. One woman who struggles with Alzheimers loves to roll the bandages.
“She rolls them on her leg as she has for many, many years,” says Anderson. “They are rolled tight and even. Even when our bodies and our minds don’t work so well, we are still important and special in God’s eyes.”
Anderson adds, “We have found out that productive mission work doesn’t end at a certain age or even mental ability,” Anderson says. “The side benefit for the church is ‘many hands make light work.’ The older ladies do not have the physical strength to rip, and the kids love it.”
The girls have helped with the ministry since October 2010. So far this year, the group has rolled almost 3,000 bandages, Anderson says.
For more than 65 years, women of the Covenant have rolled bandages for Congolese hospitals. Click here to learn more about this historic ministry.
“One thing I’ve learned since I stepped into this position is that bandage rolling is alive and well in the Covenant,” says Meagan Gillan, executive minister of the Department of Women Ministries. “From Red Wing, Minnesota, to Congo, women and girls are partnering to provide items needed by our sisters and brothers of the CEUM.”
Article by Stan Friedman. Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
Catalyst Covenant Church’s latest outreach to the community was a little wild. Fortunately nothing got out of hand.
The church sponsored “Get Wild!” a show that featured a couple who introduced birds, reptiles and mammals to children as a way to promote understanding and awareness of animals. The event was held Oct. 1 at Woodland Elementary School, where the church meets.
Through their show, Jim and Lori Quistorff, owners of “Little Bita Everything Ranch” at Sauk Centre, MN, also hope to quell fears and clear up misconceptions children might have about animals.
“They include audience participation, which allows for an exciting and memorable way of learning,” says Sue Luedtke, the church office manager.
Among the “ambassadors” for the animal world that the Quistorffs brought were a Celebes ape (actually a monkey despite its name), Burmese python, blue-tongued skink, coatimundi, otter, parrot, tarantula, and a sugar glider.
As many as 470 children and adults attended, says Luedtke. It was far more people than the church expected. Catalyst served several hundred free hotdogs afterwards and had to make three trips to a local store to purchase more than they originally bought.
The church arranged for the couple to do the program after Pastor Steve Eng saw them at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd. The show, which is done once a week during the summer, is the most popular family event at the resort, says Luedtke.
Catalyst is a new church plant. “We’re always looking for new and unique ways to reach out to Alexandria and our surrounding communities,” says Luedtke. “We especially like to do things that might appeal to families with young children. These community outreach events are great ways for us to meet new people and for them to get familiar with this new church.”
The church has developed a close relationship with the school and has shown their gratitude in multiple ways. In the past year, the church has twice supplied dinner for the Woodland parent/teacher conference nights, when the staff needs to be there through the supper hour.
Catalyst also sponsored “Get a New Back-to-School Outfit” for students at Woodland who qualify for free or reduced lunches. The event was held in the school gym a week before classes started.
The church provided the letter and postage for the mailing that explained the event, and the school provided the labels and the people to send out the letter. The church also donated the clothes, which families received free, including clothes for the first day of school, an idea developed by the school principal and the pastor.
“The principal said that when these particular kids come to school in the fall, they are labeled immediately because they aren’t wearing the nice, new clothes that other students were,” says Luedtke. “This was a way we could help these kids feel special.”
Article by Stan Friedman. Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
“A mission field in our own backyard” took on a literal meaning when Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, MN, turned its seldom-used softball diamond into a popular soccer field last summer.
Brooklyn Park, a second-ring suburb of Minneapolis, has an increasingly multicultural population of nearly 76,000. Soccer is a common denominator among the varied ethnicities represented in the area. A deep desire to reach outside church walls and meet their neighbors led the church to host its first soccer camp for local children and their families last summer (with an improved program offered again this season).
The origins of the camp actually go back a couple years. At that time, Redeemer’s pastor Steve Larson had already been praying for opportunities to reach out to the growing population of Latino families in the community. A new Spanish-speaking Covenant church plant, La Bendición, eventually started meeting at Redeemer, a location that was central to where many Latino families live and work. Both congregations have flourished through opportunities to share worship and fellowship, serve together in the community, and reach out in the name of Christ.
La Bendición’s pastor, Juan Lopez, recognized the possibilities of creating a soccer program both as an outreach to the neighborhood children and as a way to involve families within his own congregation. Lopez knew that church attender Santos Gonzalez had been a professional soccer player in Ecuador, so he shared his idea with Gonzalez for inviting neighborhood children to come play soccer at Redeemer’s field. Gonzalez became excited by the idea and volunteered to be one of the coaches.
Conversation ensued regarding a joint summer soccer camp. Some members of the Redeemer congregation had been suggesting for a few years that the church purchase soccer goals and set them up on the unused softball field. The idea began to take hold among both congregations, and they prayed together for God’s blessing.
Creating a program
Plans for the program quickly fell into place. Kickin’ Kids Soccer Camp would be offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from mid-June through mid-August. It would be free and available to kids between the ages of 6 and 15.
Four coaches—two from each congregation—volunteered to lead the camp. From La Bendición came Gonzalez and Lopez, who had learned to play soccer in his native Colombia. And from Redeemer were Kenny Oyederu, a certified soccer coach who came to America from Nigeria 16 years ago, and Keith Weiman, a longtime member of the church who had played soccer as a child in the United States.
Support from the two congregations was strong. Within two Sundays, they gave enough money for the goals, nets and field-marking equipment.
The next step was to get the word out to the neighborhood. The churches created brochures in English and Spanish, which they passed out door-to-door and mailed to children who had previously attended church programs.
On the first evening of the camp, volunteers had taken care of all the details. The coaching staff set up goals, and the facilities staff marked the white game lines. Balls were inflated to the right pressure, and the water jug was filled and perched on the coach’s pickup tailgate with plastic cups ready for water breaks. Information sheets and registration forms were available in both English and Spanish, and the first aid kit was handy.
Everything was prepared. The field was ready. Would anyone come?
When 20 children showed up, the staff was thrilled. Through word of mouth, attendance more than doubled after that, with about 50 children on the field each successive session. By the end of the summer, the roster listed the names of 85 soccer players.
Each session of camp started with prayer and a short devotional. The kids were divided into two groups—6- to 10-year-olds in one group, and 11- to 15-year-olds in the other. They practiced soccer basics, concentrating on just a few skills at a time. Sometimes they divided into teams to scrimmage, but no score keeping was allowed.
Campers also learned to get along with each other. “After each clinic we would think of a word like love or respect and ask the kids what that word meant to them,” says Weiman. Such dialogue gave the coaching staff a chance to emphasize the character qualities of good sportsmanship.
Hosting on the Sidelines
Much more happened in the soccer camp than kicking, dribbling and passing the ball on the field. While the coaches and assistants concentrated on the players, hospitality team members connected with parents and family members on the sidelines. They warmly greeted everyone, registered new children, provided water, and directed individuals to a portable restroom that was wheelchair accessible.
The hospitality team passed out information about upcoming vacation Bible school, AWANA, and children’s events offered by Redeemer and La Bendición throughout the rest of the year. Most of the material was published in both English and Spanish.
Enhancing the future
This summer the church has expanded the camp to include 3- to 5-year-olds for a half-hour at the beginning of each evening of camp. Age-group levels meet consecutively rather than all at once to relieve the congestion on the field. A regular 15-minute devotional tailored for each age group is incorporated into the evening’s schedule.
For this summer’s session, rosters filled up completely in the two younger age groups after one week of registration, and soon there was a waiting list for the 10- to 15-year-olds as well. Most exciting was the fact that two-thirds of the 100 participants this summer do not attend either Redeemer or La Bendición.
This year a small fee for the camp was required ($10 per child or $25 per family). The church recognized that players are more committed to consistent attendance if the family has invested something in the program. With the registration fee, each player received a team t-shirt.
“Redeemer Covenant Church is striving to be a community learning compassion and worship that is centered on Christ,” said Pastor Larson. “The joint soccer program with La Bendición created an appreciation between the congregations as we began to learn more about each other. Through the strength of our work together, we compassionately engaged the community that is so close to our door.”
Jesus says in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” With that in mind, Redeemer and La Bendición seek to be places of light and warmth in a difficult world, providing fun along the way through ministries like Kickin’ Kids Soccer Camp.
Adapted from the article that appeared in the August 2011 issue of the Covenant Companion.
Between its two campuses in Eagan and Woodbury, Crossroads Church had 4,350 people attend 10 Easter weekend services. The theme for the weekend was “Awakening: Everything Jesus touches comes alive.”
According to church staff, 240 people made first-time commitments to Christ throughout the weekend.
“We fasted as a church family for one day a week for 40 days prior to Easter, asking God to pour His Spirit upon us,” said Phil Print, senior pastor. “He did.”
The Gallery
The Gallery Covenant Church in St. Paul, a plant of Crossroads, used Easter weekend to kick off its own unique outreach effort. The church passed out more than 80 plastic eggs stuffed with $20 bills.
Attendees were challenged to bring books to church on Sunday mornings through May 8 to benefit the Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary School. Participants could use the $20 to purchase new and used books and were challenged to match the church’s donation.
To date, The Gallery has collected 2,500 books for the neighboring school.
On June 19, The Gallery will host an Absolutely Free Garage Sale at the playground of the school. The church is gathering donations to be given away during the event.
On November 14, Edina Covenant Church sent a group of 10 people to Haut-Limbe, Haiti, to serve at the Ebenezer medical clinic. The team encountered many unexpected challenges due to the recent cholera outbreak as well as the civil unrest and rioting between the Haitians and the UN.
Despite the additional challenges, and difficult situations, the team is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve together. They would like to thank everyone who supported them both financially and through prayers.
For more details, here are a couple of stories on the trip:
Covenant Newswire – Mission trip: Getting out tough, getting in tougher
Covenant Newswire – Covenant team praises resilient Haitian spirit