Covenant News

Wallis Praises Palmberg's Passion

CHICAGO, IL (February 5, 2005) - In their introductions and opening remarks during Friday morning's breakfast at the Midwinter Pastors Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), speaker Jim Wallis and ECC President Glenn Palmberg expressed great admiration for each other.

Palmberg told the audience that he "pulled executive rank" when he decided that he would introduce his friend. Palmberg is on the board of directors for Call To Renewal, a national network of churches, faith-based organizations and individuals convened by Wallis to help overcome poverty in America.

Wallis is well-acquainted with the Covenant, having several family members who attend Covenant churches, including his sister, Marcie Rahill, and her husband, Alex, who are helping plant Life Covenant Church in Canton, Michigan. Wallis referred to Palmberg as "one of the most important pivotal church leaders in this country right now, because he's a bridge."

"I love to have him at my side at a White House or Senate meeting," Wallis said. "He looks so mild mannered. He looks like . . . an evangelical leader with a suit, but then he speaks and he sounds like Amos or Isaiah - 'let justice roll down like waters.' He starts shaking his fingers at Republicans and Democrats. He talks about the poor and he gets angry, and he sounds like an Old Testament Prophet. Then we get out and he says, 'I like that.'"

Wallis said he is excited about Call to Renewal (the Evangelical Covenant Church is a partner). He described it as "an amazing table" that includes many ethnic groups and theological positions across the spectrum.

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