Central Conference Accepts Freedholm Resignation

CHICAGO, IL (May 3, 2004) - Delegates to the 118th Annual Meeting of the Central Conference accepted the unexpected resignation of Supt. Herbert M. Freedholm on Saturday while recommending three congregations for membership into the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

Freedholm's resignation will take effect on December 31 - his current term was to have concluded in August 2005. The meeting marked his 21st as conference superintendent. In response to Freedholm's letter, which he read to the assembly, conference chair Doug Johnson offered prayer and led in the singing of the doxology. Delegates offered their sustained applause as a sign of gratitude for Freedholm's service.

In welcoming three new congregations, the conference is extending its ministries in southern Wisconsin, the Logan Square area of Chicago and Indianapolis. Anchor Covenant Church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is led by pastor Ryan Eikenbary-Barber. Fifty-three people recently signed the church's charter; Sunday worship draws an average of 60 people.

Pastor Peter Hong and a diverse leadership team are ministering through New Community Covenant Church in Chicago where about 230 attend worship each Sunday. Twenty-four is the average age of those attending - 15 cultures and ethnic groups are represented in this congregation.

Iglesia de Pacto El Redentor has been supported by Hope Evangelical Covenant Church of Indianapolis. Under the leadership of pastor Jorge Ramirez, 120 people gather at Hope each Sunday for worship. This congregation began as a small Bible study in 1998.

In other business, a new conference constitution and by-laws were spread on the minutes for action in 2005. The 2005 annual meeting will be held at Korean Central Covenant Church in Northbrook, Illinois.

At the Saturday awards luncheon, retiring pastors Arthur A.R. Nelson and Gary Ridout were recognized. Ron Johnson, a member of Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago, received the J. William Fredrickson Urban Ministry award for his work with youth and through an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

Johnson grew up in Minnesota and works as a self-employed piano tuner/technician. A member of his church for 25 years, Johnson started an ESL program in 1981 through a partnership with nearby Truman College - he administered the program and taught ESL classes for 22 years. Since 1998, he has also led a Wednesday night basketball program for neighborhood youth and young adults, many with ties to local gangs. Johnson has mentored some of the players in recent years while helping the program find additional program assistance through one of the players who now attends the church.

In other news:

• A budget of $1.4 million in expenses and $860,000 in income - a deficit budget of $143,800 - was approved by delegates. The budget includes support for planting two new churches and delegates were challenged to return to their churches and encourage their congregations to increase their giving to the conference in order to meet the needs of the ambitious budget.
• Delegates approved the ordination or transfer of ordination of Nelson, Martha Berg, John Carlini, Allyson Dickie, Roberto Espinoza, Dulcie Gannett, Sally Gill, Hollis Kim, Harold Spooner, Dr. M. Randolph Thompson and Jonathan Wilson.
• Outgoing Executive Board members Vergie Dillard and Frances Davenport were recognized for their efforts.
• Nelson reported that four churches in the conference were assisted through Churches Planting Ministries funding, some of the $30,000 coming from a H.E.L.P. offering.
• On Friday night, Oakdale Covenant hosted a worship service as Calvin Butts, pastor of the nationally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York and president of SUNY College in Old Westbury, gave the message.

(Editor's note: Beth Fredrickson is a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and editor of the Central Conference Covenanter quarterly newsletter.)

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