Covenant News

Palmberg Discusses Future Direction for World Mission

CHICAGO, IL (May 17, 2002) - When it comes to innovative thinking, creative leadership and a passion for reaching people for Jesus Christ throughout the world, Jim Gustafson is recognized as one of the world's finest missiologists, says Evangelical Covenant Church President Glenn Palmberg.

The president reflected on Gustafson's work as well as future directions for Covenant world mission following Gustafson's decision to step down from his position as executive minister of the Department of World Mission. Gustafson headed the department for nearly four years.

"I am disappointed in Jim's decision to leave, but I am committed to continuing the innovative approach to world mission that Jim embraced," Palmberg said.

Gustafson's life has been rooted in ministry throughout the world. He and his wife, Joan, are perhaps best known in the Covenant church for their ministry in Northeast Thailand, helping to transform both the physical and spiritual aspects of life for people in that region. Development of fishponds to stimulate economic growth and build strong relationships is but one example of the couple's innovative approach to evangelism.

Partnering with other Christian organizations to avoid duplication of effort and expense reflects another of his creative mission initiatives. "Jim brings to the Covenant a wonderful ecumenical understanding of mission," Palmberg observed, "coupled with a passion for linking development and evangelism within a local cultural context. That linkage reflects a somewhat unique perspective concerning the way in which world mission work is carried out within the Christian community."

The linkage between development and evangelism is perhaps best illustrated in the Covenant's mission work in Thailand, one of four Asian countries that Palmberg and Gustafson visited about a year ago. Thailand served as an incubator for many of the concepts Gustafson nurtured, especially the focus on ministry being carried out within the context of a local culture.

Palmberg's own passion for world mission was reinforced as a result of that experience. "I learned much during those visits to our ministry areas and the interaction with Thai church leaders," Palmberg said. "And, the affection all of the people have for Jim was obvious. That didn't surprise me given Jim's deep commitment to his vision for world mission and the people with whom he has worked.

"A strong commitment to world mission is one of the roots of our Covenant heritage," Palmberg observed. "That commitment not only continues to be strong, but we continue to explore ways to further advance our mission around the world." One example of that intensified effort is the growing connection between Covenant World Relief and Covenant World Mission.

"That partnership continues to strengthen as World Mission develops projects that fit Covenant World Relief's funding criteria of ministry to the poorest of the poor," Palmberg said. "That additional financial support in areas of ministry to the poor amplifies the impact of Covenant ministry in those areas," he said.

Another emerging partner in the effort to strengthen the impact of Covenant world mission is the Paul Carlson Foundation, which Gustafson has revitalized in recent months. The foundation is named after the late Dr. Paul Carlson, a Covenant medical missionary who was killed by Congo rebels in a 1964 massacre of more than 50 individuals.

"A large portion of World Mission resources goes to meet medical needs," Palmberg noted. "It has been our dream that the Paul Carlson Foundation will actively pursue ways to help meet those medical needs, freeing up more of our World Mission resources that can be redirected to our evangelism efforts," Palmberg said.

Based on discussions with Gustafson, Palmberg said that "it is our mutual hope that Jim will continue to be involved in strategic ways to continue developing the world mission emphasis of the Covenant."

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