Three NWC churches to host World Vision Experience Bus  

Throughout August and September, three Northwest Conference churches will be offering a unique and powerful experience to see the effects of extreme poverty from the perspective of the world's most vulnerable.

Crossroads Church in Cottage Grove, MN, Crossview Covenant Church in North Mankato, MN, and Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, MN, will be hosting the World Vision Experience Bus. The bus offers an opportunity for an interactive and life-changing confrontation with the effects of global poverty, sex trafficking, refugees and those suffering in the margins.

LaBolt church changes name to Countryside Covenant Church    

On Sunday, July 26, the Evangelical Covenant Church of LaBolt, South Dakota, in a majority vote changed its name to Countryside Covenant Church. The name change is in conjunction with the move to a new facility on Highway 20.

The church was originally founded with the name Swedish Christian Mission Church of LaBolt, South Dakota in 1900 and joined what is now the Evangelical Covenant Church. In 1965 the name was changed to the Evangelical Covenant Church of LaBolt, South Dakota.

The new name was submitted by a congregation member, selected as one of four choices by the congregation, and approved by majority vote. 

"Countryside Covenant Church reflects the unique beauty of God's creation and His arm reaching out to all those desiring a church home," said Pastor Mark Chapman.

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.

Updates from the ECC 

Gather '15 highlight video

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being part of Gather '15. We hope this highlight video reminds you of your time in Kansas City and encourages your church to send delegates to Gather '16, June 23-25, 2016 at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ.

Sincerely,

Make and Deepen Disciples intro video released

Now through June 2016 is the Evangelical Covenant Church's dedicated emphasis year for Make and Deepen Disciples. A brand new MDD intro video was shown at Gather '15 that is designed to "encourage, inspire and remind one another about God's call on our lives to make and deepen disciples!"

We encourage you to highlight the video on your web pages, your Facebook pages, and in your newsletters.

CWM seeks support for Kenyan church land purchase

Kitengela is the fastest growing city in Kenya. The Evangelical Covenant Church of Kenya has two churches there, one of which (Noonkopir) has over 200 members, many refugees and is constructed on rental property. The owner is selling the property and offered to sell part of it to the Covenant Church so that it would not have to move out of the city.

Through a project approved by Covenant World Mission, the Noonkopir church is seeking to raise $50,000 to purchase the land. An interested person has offered a grant of up to $25,000 to match funds raised for this project. The first payment of half the cost is due Aug. 31.

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."

Upcoming NWC Mini-Retreats for pastors and ministry staff     

Up to 6 remaining spaces for Mini-Retreat at Covenant Pines Aug. 31-Sept. 1

TITLE: Transition Curves: Successfully Navigating New Directions

PARTICIPANTS: Covenant pastors and ministry staff who are 55+

Space still available for September Mini-Retreat at Covenant Pines 

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

PARTICIPANTS: Covenant pastors and ministry staff 

Confirm your reservation with Judy Swanberg by Monday, Sept. 7 - judy@northwestconference.org or find more information online. 

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 & Development.

Deaths  

Delmar Anderson

Delmar Anderson, former Superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Conference and Director of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism (CGE), died Saturday. He was 84.

Delmar served at Mission Covenant Church in Galesburg, IL; Hinsdale (IL) Covenant Church; Wallens Creek Covenant Church in Jonesville, VA; Newport Covenant Church in Bellevue, WA; and Elim Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN.

In addition to his wife, Delmar is survived by three children, a daughter, Susan Baumann; and two sons, Mark Anderson, and Steve Anderson, both of whom are Covenant pastors who have served in the NWC.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Covenant Village of Colorado. A committal service will be held at the Swedeburg Covenant Church in Wahoo, NE, on Saturday morning.

Scott Erickson

Word has come to the NWC that the son of former Superintendent Paul Erickson passed away recently in Colorado following a battle with cancer. He was 53 years old. Scott Erickson served as municipal judge for Ophir, Rico and Telluride, and most recently as county judge for San Miguel County in Colorado.

Please be in prayer for Paul and Joan as they also lost their youngest daughter, Lisa, to cancer several years ago. Be in prayer for Scott's wife, Darla, and his three children, as well. We grieve along with the Ericksons as a result of another devastating loss in their family. Sometimes our words fail, but our God does not ...