News from the Northwest Conference

2014 Superintendent's Letter to Churches Gathering in Annual Meeting Now Available

Click here for your copy of Superintendent Mark R. Stromberg's letter to churches gathering in annual meetings.

Feel free to include this letter in your annual meeting booklets or provide a copy to your church family via a bulletin insert!

Youth Ministry

VIVE 2014 draws over 70 to Hope Academy in Minneapolis

With over 70 in attendance, VIVE had its best year yet. Hosted by Hope Academy in Minneapolis on Saturday, Nov. 8, this collaboration between the Northwest Conference and North Park University seeks to ready both students and parents for college.

Students had opportunities to hear from a variety of experienced speakers, worship with Urban Jerusalem, converse with college representatives from eight different schools, eat massive donuts and a few even won an iPad or a Samsung phone.

Children & Family Ministry

Imagine 2014 another great day of learning for attendees

Imagine, held at Salem Covenant Church on Nov. 8, turned out to be a very successful event. Ministry teams came from the Twin Cities and beyond, and speaker Jim Wideman brought an encouraging, inspiring and practical message for children's ministry leaders.

Did your church miss it? We have resources for you! We have notes from the event, as well as Jim's talks on CD for Covenant churches to borrow. Contact kara@northwestconference.org for more info.

Youth Ministry

All Things CHIC 2015 ...

CHIC Scholarships

The Northwest Conference currently has ten $150 scholarships to give to students who need extra financial help in getting to CHIC. Applications for CHIC scholarships are at http://northwestconference.org/chic-2015

CHIC Transportation

Ride the NWC bus to CHIC for only $205! A deposit of $100 is due March 1 for each rider. There are also a limited number of transportation scholarships for those riding NWC busses. For more info: http://northwestconference.org/chic-2015-bus-info

CHIC Volunteers Needed

Do you have too many adults who want to go to CHIC? Consider having them apply to be CHIC volunteers: http://chic2015.org/volunteer/

Congratulations

Pastor Steve Larson presented with 'Service Above Self' Award

On Oct. 23, Pastor Steve Larson of Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, MN, was presented a "Service Above Self" Award by the Brooklyn Park/Brooklyn Center/Champlin Rotary Club. As a community leader, Larson (above right) serves on the Community Engagement Team for the city of Brooklyn Park. In this capacity he has represented Brooklyn Park two different times at the Kellogg Leadership Institute in Los Angeles, CA.

He has also been a participant in the Rebuilding Each City Around Peace (RECAP) conference in Washington D.C. Larson serves the broader faith community by giving leadership to the Brooklyn Park Area Ministerial Association (BAMA). Through BAMA, he has been able to work across denominational lines to build stronger relationships in the faith community. Larson has led the church community in building links with schools and city governments. One of the observable outcomes of such partnerships is the new Brooklyn Avenues Youth Homeless Shelter, currently being built in Brooklyn Park.

The presenter of the award, Rotary member Dr. Carl Billings, Pastor of Discover Church (a Lutheran church in Brooklyn Park) made these comments:

"I have been observing Steve from afar since coming here four-and-half years ago. In a very real sense he has become the pastor to this community. He prays for each congregation and has a desire to serve this city of Brooklyn Park. When we lost our Mayor several years back, Steve was there. I know this because one of my parishioners is Mayor Lampi's sister. She talked about Steve's pastoral presence through those tough days. There is a story about Jesus on the night before he was betrayed. He got a basin of water and a towel. He then proceeded to wash his disciple's feet. When he got finished he said, 'If I your Lord and Master washes your feet then you should wash one another's feet.' Steve knows how to follow his Lord and Master in service."

What Dr. Billings did not know is that the basin and towel is a prominent physical symbol in Larson's office. Steve, your compelling vision for how to do ministry is being noticed. Congratulations.

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.

November 19, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

2014 Superintendent's Letter to Churches Gathering in Annual Meeting Now Available

VIVE

Imagine 2014

CHIC Transportation

Pastor Steve Larson presented with 'Service Above Self' Award

NWC cal icon tan

January 10, 2015

Recharge - Twin Cities

January 24, 2015

Recharge - Fargo, ND

February 7, 2015

Recharge - Cedar Falls, IA

March 1-3, 2015

Children & Family Ministry Sabbath Retreat - Covenant Pines Bible Camp

April 10-11, 2015

MOVE - Twin Cities

April 16-18, 2015

NWC Annual Meeting - Salem Covenant Church, New Brighton, MN

May 2, 2015

Go: Serve - Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, MN

July 12-17, 2015

CHIC - University of Tennessee

August 6-8, 2015

MUUUCE - Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN

NWC Job Postings Page

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.