Peterson: Ready to Take on New Challenge

RFOSEMONT, IL (June 27, 2003) - More than anything, Curtis D. Peterson says he is "greatly honored" to be asked to serve as the executive minister of the Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Peterson, who was elected by delegates during the Thursday afternoon business session at the 118th Annual Meeting, knows that the job he faces will be complex and challenging. But he says he has already been overwhelmed by the support he has received from Covenanters.

"I am depending on the prayers of Covenanters who have already been so generous in expressing their support and encouragement," he says. "I am proud to be joining the world mission team."

The Covenant Church has a long commitment to bringing the gospel to the end of the earth, says Peterson. "The way that message has been communicated has changed over the years," he says, "but bringing the message has always depended on dedicated, gifted and passionate missionaries."

In accepting his new role, Peterson is stepping down from two key areas of ministry - as the chair of the Covenant Executive Board, and as pastor of Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara, California, where he has served since July 1980. The skills he developed as a pastor will serve him well in the new position as he works to support and encourage Covenant missionaries around the world.

"I am bringing my experience in mission as a local pastor (to this new role)," Peterson says, "and the gifts of pastoral leadership and administration - a task that is complex and challenging but more important today than ever."

Along with his pastoral ministry and his work on the Executive Board, Peterson has served on numerous conference and denominational boards. He has helped plant two growing churches in the Santa Barbara area: Ocean Hills Covenant Church and Fuente de Esperanza Covenant Church in Isla Vista. Peterson's church also aided the Santa Barbara Community Development Center, which serves the underserved neighborhood via food distribution, education and medical services. His heart for mission works has led him to visit Colombia, Lithuania, and a number of Covenant mission works.

Evangelical Covenant Church President Glenn R. Palmberg is thankful for the talents and spirit of Peterson, stating, that "(Peterson) brings not only a deep passion for worldwide ministry, but he also brings a depth of experience in pastoral care, which will prove valuable as he ministers to our missionaries and staff, providing good counsel, support and encouragement as they labor in various parts of the world."

Peterson and his wife, Martie, are the parents of three children. He will begin his new duties on September 1.

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