New NWC website launched! 

Mobile responsive, reorganized, and visually updated throughout

We're excited to announce the launch of our completely redesigned website at northwestconference.org! In addition to an updated look to match the visual direction of recently developed brand materials, the new site is mobile responsive and features more streamlined organization.  

Following the structure of our Ministry Priorities and Ministry Support categories, the new site delivers a more clear path to commonly accessed information, while also providing more focused information related to overviews of the NWC ministry and partner organizations. We've also reduced overall page count, and worked hard to make related information more contextual while following current design trends.  

Visit the site soon, and check back often as we continue to develop new ways to deliver timely information to and about our churches and ministries.   

MOVE 2015 challenges high school students to ask, 'Now What?' 

On April 10-11, 217 students and youth workers from throughout the Northwest Conference converged on Minnehaha Academy's south campus in Minneapolis, MN, for MOVE 2015-a weekend of teaching, worship, service and experiential learning.

This year's theme was "Now What?" based on James 2:14-17. Students go to church, attend Bible studies, and head to camp where they're learning what it means to become followers of Christ. But with all that input, the questions arise-"Now what? What do I do with all that I've learned? How do I put it into action in my community?" At MOVE, over 200 students and leaders considered what it means to take a holy risk of faith where they live.

Click here to read the full recap online 

View photos from MOVE 2015 Day 1 and Day 2 on Flickr

Check out the MOVE 2015 Highlights video on Vimeo 

Key Learning and Discussion Opportunity   

NWC to host gathering for pastors and ministry staff members    

The Northwest Conference leadership is cognizant of the need for more intentional resourcing on the topic of human sexuality for both pastors and congregations in our region. Thus, we are committed to providing opportunities for conversation and learning for those interested in participating, as we continue to share both life and ministry together in these challenging days.

In the months ahead, we plan to provide a number of such opportunities for interaction on this potentially volatile and pastorally complex issue. There will be different facilitators, but our focus will be on honest dialogue, with an eye toward how we can best minister from within the position of the Evangelical Covenant Church on sexuality, particularly related to the current climate within our culture and issues surrounding the Church and the LGBTQ community.

Bill Henson / Wednesday, May 27

10 a.m.-3 p.m. / Maple Grove Covenant Church 

The NWC will host a gathering open to all pastors and ministry staff members with Bill Henson, president of an organization called Lead Them Home. Mr. Henson states that he founded this ministry in 2005 after receiving a powerful call from God a few years earlier. In this ministry he consults church leaders on building a biblically orthodox, missiological framework for church mission and ministry with LGBTQ persons, with a specialization in sharing Christ with non-heterosexual persons.

Further, Mr. Henson has developed a framework for conversation and learning, which has become a national model reaching over 5,000 church leaders in recent years. His work has been featured in Leadership Journal and it has been incorporated as teaching curricula at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Gordon College. The board of trustees of Lead Them Home is chaired by Dr. Raymond Pendleton, professor of pastoral psychology, at Gordon-Conwell.

Additionally, the organization expects to train an additional 5,000 church leaders in 2015 alone! Working with national and regional teams, pastors, and local church leadership teams, this approach ensures that church leaders can assess the training prior to expanding this ministry model to a wider circle of people within a local congregation.

Depending on the response of NWC pastors to this May event, there is also a possibility that Mr. Henson will return in November to facilitate a day-long Saturday workshop for both NWC pastors and lay leaders.

Registration and Address 

RSVP to jessa@northwestconference.org or call 612.721.4893 by Friday, May 22.

Maple Grove Covenant Church
9350 Upland Lane N
Maple Grove, MN  55369  

Last day to register - May 8 

May 18-19, 2015 // $30 per participant // Lake Beauty Bible Camp 

Take time to create a retreat center in your soul. Jesus invites us to come away and be with him for a time of quieting and empowering rest that we can carry with us into the storms of life and ministry.  

Retreat begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, and concludes at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

LEADER: Keith Meyer (Lead Pastor, Hope Covenant Church, St Cloud, MN) with Judy Swanberg (Associate Director of Pastoral Care & Development, Northwest Conference) as co-facilitator  

REGISTRATION: Minimum 10, maximum 20 / Confirm your reservation with Judy Swanberg by May 8 - judy@northwestconference.org 

FEE: $30 per participant - includes 3 meals, coffee breaks, and 1 overnight (+$10 if camp provides bed linens and towel) 

CHECKS: Payable to the Northwest Conference 

BRING: Bible, sleeping bag or bedroll, pillow, and towel

Download a flyer for more information

This is the first of several mini-retreats that will be offered each year by the NWC Department of Pastoral Care and Development. Each retreat will be formatted and focused on assisting you in your personal and professional development. For those of you credentialed by the Covenant these retreats can become part of honoring your commitment to four vocational growth experiences each year.  

Covenant World Relief  

Special Disaster Relief Fund for Nepal established   

Local partners in Nepal already are using funds from Covenant World Relief to provide assistance to survivors of the earthquake that has claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 people so far.

A special CWR disaster relief fund for Nepal has been set up. Executive director Dave Husby said this morning that he already has had churches contact him about how to give. 

"In these first two days after the earthquake in Nepal, I have been amazed at the response of Covenant churches and individuals who want to contribute to the relief work," he said. "I'm very grateful to be a part of a church denomination that cares so deeply for the suffering."

Click to read the full story on Covenant Newswire 

Opportunity for pastors ...  

International Falls team offering to pray for NWC pastors    

As a pastor of the Northwest Conference, we would like to extend you the opportunity to be prayed for by our Prayer Team that meets every Monday night.

Your request can be anonymous and details will be kept confidential.

Simply e-mail your request to: Darren Olson. 

Youth Ministry 

Pray for CHIC  

Churches are in the final stages of preparing for CHIC. There will be over 1,200 participants from the Northwest Conference who will join with 4,500 others in Knoxville for this triennial high school event, July 12-17. Pray for final fundraising efforts, for students who will grapple with life-changing decisions, for youth pastors and leaders, and the CHIC leadership team as they're putting the final touches on the event.