Covenant News

Northwest Conference Unveils Evangelism Network

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (May 12, 2000) - The Northwest Conference will focus on providing resources at several levels, thanks to two new initiatives announced by Supt. Paul Erickson during the conference annual meeting at First Covenant Church.

An evangelism consultant network has been created, which will include lay people in selected districts assigned to coach and provide resources to local churches. A second initiative, called City Moves, will be a training internship for those interested in urban ministry led by coordinator Jon Kramka.

City Moves, which is affiliated with North Park University in Chicago, Bethel College of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Northwestern College of St. Paul, will collaborate with First Covenant Church of Minneapolis and the Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

Some 229 delegates from 95 churches also affirmed a fund-raising program by Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. The academy hopes to expand the upper high school with a new worship and fine arts area and a gymnasium. The fund drive kicks off November 4.

The Northwest Conference has 136 churches and fellowship groups with an average attendance of more than 22,000. This year, two Northwest Conference churches will be considered for membership during the 115th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in St. Paul June 22-25. They include New Life Covenant Church in Cotton and Saginaw, Minnesota - a conglomeration of two congregations currently meeting separately under pastor Earl Dunbar - and Living Springs Covenant Church in Brandon, South Dakota, whose pastor is Mike Brown.

"We're very healthy and there is wonderful spiritual growth," said Erickson. "Our people are healthy (spiritually), they're witnessing, and we're in the trenches. I'm excited about that," he continued. "There is revitalization with several churches and we have done more in terms of creative pastoral appointments. I'm thrilled with what God is doing in this conference."

Keynote speakers included Gary Walter, executive director of the ECC's Department of Church Growth and Evangelism, and Ruth Hill, executive director of Covenant Women Ministries.

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