CHIC invites students to make a SHIFT in their commitment to Christ 

Roughly 1,300 attend from NWC 

CHIC happened! Over 5,500 people attended the Evangelical Covenant Church's triennial youth event, CHIC, July 12-17 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Roughly 1,300 of those were from the Northwest Conference, and we certainly made our presence known.

The theme of SHIFT invited students to make a shift in their worldview, commitment to Christ and view of the Holy Scriptures. In addition to powerful speakers, robust worship, interesting and educational morning base camp sessions, students found time for rafting, hiking, cave tours, swimming and other activities on and off campus.

View the CHIC highlight video  

In case you have people at church wondering if all the fund-raising, long road trip, and sleepless nights are worth it, read youth pastor and CHIC council member, Ben Kerns' thoughts on why CHIC is so important.

CHIC is more than a one-week experience for high school students. Click here for a free 6-week, all-church discipleship curriculum, written specifically as a follow-up to CHIC. The SHIFT curriculum includes a sermon series, adult bible study, and youth and children's ministry program elements.  

Click here for a link to music, stories, devotionals and information about Project Blue, the clean water initiative in partnership with Covenant World Relief, the Hindustani Covenant Church and Water First. 

MUUUCE 2015 Early Bird rate of $109 extended to Aug. 1   

Aug. 6-8, Crossroads Church, Woodbury, MN 

With both CHIC and MUUUCE together in the same summer, we want to help you to make this event as easy and simplified is possible ... so get ready for this ... we have extended the $109 rate until Aug. 1! That's right, now that you're home from CHIC, you can still sign-up your students at the early bird rate!

Registration information for your middle school or jr. high group can be found on our MUUUCE page. 

Imagine: A day for Children & Family Ministry leaders

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015

Crossroads Church, Forest Lake MN

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Mark your calendars and plan to bring your volunteers to this free event to celebrate, encourage and train your children and family ministry team.

Our presenters, Jim and Lynne Jackson, have over 25 years of both parenting experience and professional experience as authors, speakers and coaches working with families of high­risk teens and children with behavior challenges. In 2002 they launched the ministry organization Connected Families to give hope and build strength in families.

Their work has helped thousands of parents and ministry leaders learn to be peaceful, purposeful and confident in their work with the children entrusted to their care.

This event is free for anyone who works with kids and families in Northwest Conference churches. Lunch is included.

2015 Retreat registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 14   

Oct. 5-7, Chase on the Lake, Walker, MN  

The NWC Ministerial Association Retreat for pastors, church ministry staff and spouses, will be held Oct. 5-7, 2015, at Chase on the Lake in Walker, MN.  For a look at this beautiful setting, visit chaseonthelake.com. This year Keith Meyer will lead us through a retreat experience centered on the theme of "Transformation: Becoming the Change Your Church Needs."

September NWC Mini-Retreat for pastors and ministry staff     

Sept. 21-22, 2015 // $30 per participant // Covenant Pines Bible Camp 

LEADER: Rev. Renee Franzen, MA, LSW
(Associate Pastor of Brookdale Covenant Church, Spiritual Director)  

TITLE: God's Word Runs Swiftly .... (Psalm 147:15)  

DESCRIPTION: What if we stop our running, ceased striving, and simply let Jesus the Word run to us? This retreat will provide the time and space to be revived, renewed, and encountered by the Word. 

PARTICIPANTS: Covenant pastors and ministry staff 

REGISTRATION: Minimum 10, maximum 20 / Confirm your reservation with Judy Swanberg by Monday, Sept. 7 - judy@northwestconference.org    

FEE: $30 per participant - includes 3 meals, coffee breaks, and 1 overnight

CHECKS: Payable to the NWC Ministerial Association

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

This is one of several mini-retreats that will be offered each year by the NWC Department of Pastoral Care & 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.  

To enhance connections among those serving in NWC churches and other types of ministry, we are initiating this Life Events feature. Pastors and ministry staff are encouraged to send news of births, adoptions, weddings, and deaths (immediate family only) to Judy Swanberg, Associate Director of Pastoral Care and Development.

Weddings

Joshua Smith and Carrie McCollum  

Joshua Smith and Carrie McCollum will be married on July 25, 2015. Josh is the Director of Worship Arts at Crosstown Covenant Church in Minneapolis.  

Foster Jonathan Spieker 

Born: July 8, 2015

Parents: Todd & Erin Spieker (Todd is Pastor of Bethel Covenant Church in Ellsworth, WI.)