News from the Northwest Conference
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Pastor's Perspective
50 years of ministry at Lake Beauty Bible Camp
By Brian Alnes, Executive Director of Lake Beauty Bible Camp For 50 years, Lake Beauty Bible Camp has provided children, teens, adults and families a place to discover and strengthen a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our desire is to proclaim Jesus and reflect His love through each retreat or camp experience. Over the past 50 years, the life-changing message of Jesus at Lake Beauty Bible Camp has remained the same. The property and facilities have expanded providing new opportunities. Staff changes have brought new program and vision for what's to come but on this 50th Anniversary, we are thanking God for Lake Beauty and the people who have shared in the first 50 years of ministry.
The Lake Beauty Bible Camp we enjoy today is the result of many dedicated people following the leading of God and giving of their time, talent and resources. The purpose of Lake Beauty then, as now, is to provide a place where children, youth and adults are given an opportunity to know Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith through a Christian camping program. Since the Bible is the foundation for the message, it is reflected in the camp name, Lake Beauty Bible Camp.
We are stewards of a precious gift, 600 + acres set apart for God's use. Lake Beauty's rich, creative and inspirational past has shaped today's ministry and challenges us to continue a creative Christ-centered ministry. As new generations come, new memories will be created, and live challenged and changed.
This camp will continue to succeed as those supporting it continue to volunteer their time, talent and resources. At our 50th Annual Meeting in October 2012, we shared with the delegates of the meeting that we plan to begin a one year Christian Discipleship program at LBBC (Solid Rock). With plans to begin in the Fall of 2014, this is a start to a new chapter in the ministry for the camp.
We look forward to the great things God has planned for Lake Beauty Bible Camp in the next 50 years!
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Adventures in Leadership 2013
Living out our mission of engaging, empowering and equipping healthy missional leaders
Once again a select group of NWC high school students will be participating in our Adventures In Leadership (AIL) camp June 15-22, 2013. This remains a wonderful partnership between the NWC, Adventurous Christians Camp and our conference churches. We invite you to pray for this year's camp-for God's presence, student readiness, group safety, deep personal and group discovery, profound memories and God's full blessing for all involved. This experience continues to be transformational for NWC students. We also want to celebrate how the model and vision for AIL is reaching into other conferences as well. For more insight on this development read the recent Covenant Newswire story. Thanks again for your prayers and continued partnership!
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Covenant Trust Company
Donating Assets
Covenant Trust Company offers several charitable gift planning options such as Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Unitrusts. However, if these options aren't right for you, consider donating appreciated assets outright instead. Usually, appreciated assets (such as stocks that have risen in value since they were purchased) are subject to capital gains tax when they are sold. However, if you donate the appreciated assets directly to the Northwest Conference or a related Covenant Ministry, you will avoid the capital gains tax. The ministry, due to their tax-exempt status, won't have to pay any taxes when they sell the assets. Additionally, if the appreciated assets have been held long-term (i.e., longer than one year), the assets' value on the day of the donation can be claimed as a tax deduction. If you have assets that are worth less than what you paid for them-known as a capital loss-you could sell the assets and claim the loss on your taxes. Doing so would reduce your taxable income. You can still donate the proceeds from the sale and receive a charitable tax deduction as you normally would. We believe investments can play an important role in reaching your charitable goals. If you would like to give a gift to any Covenant ministry or just discuss your gift-giving options, give one of our local Financial Service Representative, a call: Kevin Lawson, CFP®, 1-877-222-3960 or kelawson@CovenantTrust.com Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com As always, please contact your tax advisor for information on how these ideas pertain to your situation. To read more, please visit http://www.covenanttrust.com/news/ To request information, please visit http://www.covenanttrust.com/info/ © 2013, Covenant Trust Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Upcoming Events
 MUUUCE
The Most Unbelievable Ultimate Urban Camping Experience for middle school/jr. high students will be at Crossroads in Woodbury, MN. Heather Flies is our speaker! Registration materials and information can be found on our MUUUCE page
2013 Ministerial Association Retreat
The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2013, at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN. For a look at this beautiful setting visit sugarlakelodge.com. This year's focus will be on constancy with Remy Diederich leading us through a retreat experience that will equip you and your church in "Overcoming the Losses We Incur in Ministry."
Download the retreat brochure and registration materials on our Ministerial Association page.
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WANTED
Vehicles for ministry staff
We are looking for a low-mid mile, late model vehicle for use by Northwest Conference ministry staff. If interested in donating a vehicle, please contact Cheryl Theilen at the NWC office at 612-721-4893 or 800-756-6692.
A receipt would be given to verify a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
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Covenant World Relief
Financial report and disaster response resources
Covenant World Relief has been the Evangelical Covenant Church's response to human suffering and injustice in the world for more than 60 years. Through disaster relief and community development, CWR partners in the transformation of individuals, families and communities. CWR's mission is to join God in loving, serving and working together with the poor, the powerless, and the marginalized.
In 2012, CWR sent $1,070,752 to projects. See the financial report table below:
Resources for disaster response From CWR: "We are grateful to partner with you and your conferences in responding to disasters and providing the immediate emergency relief but then to stay through the long-term with the recovery and rebuilding efforts."
CWR: Best Ways to Support Disaster Response
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The Global Leadership Summit 2013
Northern Districts: Oak Hills and HOPE Church in Grand Forks to host Willow Creek Summit
Oak Hills Christian College and HOPE Church are both hosting a videocast of the Willow Creek 2013 Global Leadership Summit.
"Three words would describe my experience at the Global Leadership Summit held at OHCC. Encouraged, Inspired, Challenged. I am looking forward to attending this event in 2013!" - Doug Giese, Family Life Pastor, Evangelical Covenant Church of Bemidji.
August 8-9 @ Oak Hills Christian College, Bemidji, MN
Download the Event Flyer, register to attend the summit at www.willowcreek.com/summit, or contact Jim Hodgson at Oak Hills for more information.
August 8-9 @ HOPE Church, Grand Forks, MN
Visit the HOPE Church GLS page for more information and to register.
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NWC Website
Church Resource Bank
Our website features a great tool for churches requesting or giving away materials and resources. On the Church Resource Bank page, you can browse available requests or give-aways, and submit a new resource to share with churches in need.
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June 15-22 Adventures in Leadership - Adventurous Christians, Grand Marais, MN
June 27-29 ECC Annual Meeting - Detroit, MI
July 20
Covenant Softball Tournament - Fridley Community Park, Fridley, MN
August 15-17
MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN
August 15-18 ECC Triennial - San Diego, CA
August 23-25
Emerge High School Leadership Retreat - Lake Beauty Bible Camp, Long Prairie, MN
September 4-6 CRIM Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp, McGregor, MN
September 14
CONVERGE Metro - Brookdale Covenant Church, Brooklyn Center, MN
September 28
CONVERGE North
- Grace Covenant Church, Little Falls, MN
September 30 - October 2
Ministerial Association Retreat - Grand Rapids, MN
October 8-9
Parish Nurse Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp |
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NWC Job Postings Page
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Pastors and ministry leaders, if you have people in your congregation who are exploring ministry, on a part- or full-time basis, please refer them to our job postings page.
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Superintendent Mark Stromberg Director of Church Planting Mike Brown Director of Congregational Vitality Jon Kramka
Director of Youth Ministry Ginny Olson Director of Children & Family Ministry Kara Stromberg Office Administrator Cheryl Theilen Director of Communications Bryan Malley 612.721.4893 800.756.6692 |
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