Covenant News

Gustafson Resigns as Head of World Mission

CHICAGO, IL (May 14, 2002) - Jim Gustafson has resigned his position as executive minister of the Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), it was announced today by Curt Peterson, chair of the Executive Board. The resignation was effective May 10.

"This is a great loss to the Evangelical Covenant Church," said ECC President Glenn Palmberg. "Jim's vision and energy for mission are unmatched and we will miss him greatly."

"The Executive Board receives this news with sadness and regret," Peterson said. "Jim Gustafson gave tireless, visionary leadership in keeping world mission central to our common vision as a church. He inspired local churches, missionaries and our denomination to realize that the Covenant serves Christ in 'One World' with 'One Mission' and that 'Connecting the Vision' for mission is a priority for our strategic direction as local churches and as a denomination.

"Jim brought outstanding gifts of deep commitment, enthusiasm, creativity, passion and boundless energy to our shared work," Peterson said. "He has done much to position Covenant World Mission for its future."

World Mission regional coordinators will meet next week with Palmberg and other church leaders to provide continuity for the Covenant's World Mission ministries.

According to the ECC Constitution, the Executive Board will make provision for interim leadership until a duly held election of a new executive minister of World Mission can take place. Peterson asks that Covenanters join in prayer for Jim, his wife, Joan, and their family in this time of transition. He also asks that everyone continue to pray for and support Covenant missionaries as they continue to serve Christ throughout the world.

More information will be contained in a letter to Covenant churches.

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