Covenant News

Text of Jody LeVahn Award

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 20, 2004) - Following is the text of the award plaque given to Joann Laurel LeVahn, who is the first recipient of the Dr. Paul Carlson Award, presented during the opening worship service of the 119th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church:

For a lifetime of service devoted to God, to God's people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to the Evangelical Covenant Church.

For forty years of professional missionary service; for her excellence of medical skills in nursing, midwifery, and anesthesia, always growing and adapting to the needs of the moment; for her readiness to study and master any knowledge or skill required to serve as she was most needed; for her partnership with Dr. Paul Carlson as colleague and friend during his time in Zaire; for her continuing care and advocacy for the people of Congo beyond her own retirement, expressed both in planning team visits to Africa and in the context of the church in the United States; for her generosity in the giving of her own resources; and, throughout all, for the warmth of her love and respect for the Congolese people, the integrity of her character and witness, and the depth of her commitment to Christ.

Presented in the City of Minneapolis, the State of Minnesota, this twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand four.

Presented by: Glenn R. Palmberg, president, Evangelical Covenant Church; and Curtis D. Peterson, president, Paul Carlson Partnership and executive minister of the Department of World Mission.

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