December 23, 2015

Obituary 
Wilbur (Bill) Sollie
Retired pastor and chaplain Wilbur (Bill) John Solie, 84, died Sunday, Dec. 20.

Bill was born March 11, 1931, to Magne and Elsie Solie in Barron, WI. After high school, Bill attended North Park College and finished at the University of Minnesota. After graduation he married his college sweetheart, Judy Carlson.

He served two years in the US Army and then studied at North Park Seminary. Bill served the Community Church in Boulder Junction, WI, and was founding pastor of Trinity Covenant Church in Salem, OR. In 1970 he was called into the Veteran's Administration hospital chaplaincy, serving in San Fernando and Sepulveda, CA, then for 19 years in Minneapolis.

Survivors include his wife and two children, John Solie and Linda Solie, as well as two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 
  

Obituary 
Jim Persson, 81
 
Jim Persson, former director of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism, died Sunday morning while in hospice. He was 81.

Jim was born May 17, 1934, in Trimont, MN, where his grandparents were among the founding members of Trimont Covenant Church. He attended North Park College and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in social studies from Mankato State College, and from North Park Seminary. He earned a doctor of ministry in theology from Fuller Seminary.
Jim married Arlys Ogren on Sept. 3, 1954.
 
Jim served several congregations, including the Evangelical Covenant Church in Moose Lake, MN; Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert City, IA; and Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek, CA. 

He also served in three executive positions: assistant superintendent and director of development for the Pacific Southwest Conference, executive secretary of the ECC, and director of Church Growth and Evangelism (CGE).

"He was a humble, God-first leader," president Gary Walter said. "His passion was to see people experience the grace of Christ. Bringing My World to Christ and the acceleration of church planting are central parts of his ECC legacy."

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Russ (Jan), Rollie (Valerie), and Ron (Julie); 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Witness to the resurrection services will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 28 at Trimont Covenant Church and at 3 p.m. on Jan. 2 at Covenant Village of CO. There will be a family graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Trimont. Memorials may be sent to ECC Start and Strengthen Churches or Benevolence Fund of Covenant Village of Colorado.

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