Peterson, currently the chair of the Executive Board, is pastor of Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara, California, where he has served since July 1980. He and his wife, Martie, have three children: Erik, Nils and Jonathan.

"Curt has a clear understanding of the direction in which world mission is moving," said Catherine Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who served as chair of the search committee and serves as chair of the World Mission Committee of the Executive Board. "He also has all of the necessary skills to manage this large mission effort and to build on the foundation that has already been laid. He has the ability to cast a vision and can be a strong voice in transmitting that vision of worldwide mission to our local churches."

A clear sense of vision and good management skills were two of five areas of strength sought by the search committee appointed by the Executive Board, which serves as the nominating committee on behalf of the entire church. Pastoral care, a demonstrated concern for missionaries and their well-being and a heart for mission were the other desired strengths.

Of particular importance is the ability to work with people in different cultural contexts throughout the world, Gilliard noted. "To be effective in worldwide ministry, you have to have a comfort level in working within another context, often a cross-cultural context, where you may be the only one who is different," she observed. "We asked tough questions about his comfort level in those kinds of situations. Curt consistently has been placing himself into those kinds of cross-cultural situations, which is important as most of his work will be in other parts of the world."

Gilliard said the committee placed importance on Peterson's history of interaction with ministries worldwide. "It was interesting to note that whenever he took trips, sabbaticals and the like, they usually were to mission areas where Covenant ministry is taking place. He has been intentional in his effort to be informed and connected, to be involved. He not only has a heart and a passion for world mission ministries, he works at keeping informed."

The call to Peterson to move into this new area of ministry service comes at a time of personal soul-searching he says has been going on for some time. "During these years at Montecito Covenant God has convicted and called me to help mobilize the mission of the Gospel in the Santa Barbara community and throughout the world," Peterson writes in his letter of explanation sent to members of his congregation. "This conviction led to the planting of a new 'mission outpost' in our community, Ocean Hills Covenant Church. It led to the support of a local church plant in Isla Vista and the formation of the Santa Barbara Community Development Center as an outgrowth of that ministry.

"This conviction led to mission trips with some of you to Colombia, Alaska and Lithuania," Peterson continues. "This conviction also prompted us to visit and encourage our missionaries in Thailand, Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic. This past summer as we studied the 'church alive' in Acts, I was challenged in a new way by the promise that when we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit we 'will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"

Peterson said the Covenant's call to world mission leadership "is a confirmation of what has been stirring in me. Mission work can be a lonely experience. I feel a responsibility to come alongside our people, to encourage, to listen, to provide spiritual and pastoral counsel. To support people in ways that help resolve conflict, create vision in the heart in the midst of hardships. To help them listen to the Spirit. My role is to bring gifts of pastoral direction and care into the lives of missionaries and missionary leaders."

If elected, Peterson will replace interim executive minister John Notehelfer who assumed leadership of the world mission department following the resignation of Jim Gustafson last year. Notehelfer will serve until the permanent executive minister assumes that leadership role.