Working Together: How the Three Covenant International Ministries Work Together for Congo

The Department of World Mission is the international arm for the Covenant Church’s mission. With world mission at the very heart of the ECC since the denomination’s inception, the DWM trains, commissions, sends, and supports Covenant missionaries in over 18 countries. It partners with 28 indigenous church denominations for effective ministry in their countries. Its national office is in the ECC headquarters in Chicago. Rev Curtis D. Peterson is the current executive minister and can be contacted through the ECC website, www.covchurch.org, or by e-mail at curt.peterson@covchurch.org. The DWM supervises over 120 long-term, short-term, and project missionaries who are supported by the ECC coordinated budget or by funds raised locally by the individual missionary. The vision of Covenant World Mission is to facilitate intercultural ministries around the world and partnerships with churches and international believers to glorify God’s name by bringing the whole gospel to the whole world. The strategic goals of Covenant World Mission are to facilitate the planting of culturally relevant churches, the spiritual formation and equipping of God’s people for ministry and leadership, and the development of ministries that demonstrate the whole gospel; we seek to address the spiritual, social, and physical needs of people and to facilitate vibrant mission partnerships with ECC churches and followers of Christ around the world.

Covenant World Relief began as an international aid ministry in 1946 in response to the humanitarian crises left after World War II. CWR has continued to allocate its resources in Jesus’ name to meet the needs of the “poorest of the poor” with maximum impact. Funds for this ministry are raised annually by a fall ECC campaign in local congregations, direct contributions from individuals, and bequests. CWR disburses the funds donated in a given year, in three categories: Relief, Rehabilitation, and Development. Its work is guided by a commission of the ECC; the half-time director reports to the ECC president and works out of the president’s office. The current director, Rev. James V. Sundholm, can be contacted through that office or at jim.sundholm@covchurch.org. The director’s position is funded through a draw-down from the interest of invested funds; thus funds are not taken from the annual campaign for this purpose. The commission meets twice a year, distributing funds primarily through CWR grant requests. CWR partners its ministry as much as 60 percent with the Department of World Mission, as they minister among the poorest of the poor. The DWM staff applies for funding through the CWR grant process. Several of the DWM staff are excellent field staff in accomplishing community development ministry, so CWR/DWM collaborations are particularly effective. Almost all of CWR’s work is done in partnership with other organizations like World Relief, Mercy Ships, and Foods Resource Bank in addition to the DWM.

The Paul Carlson Partnership began in 1965 as a non-profit foundation, born as a memorial to Paul Carlson following his martyrdom in Congo, with the intent “to realize his dreams for the neglected people he served.” In its forty-year history this foundation has used several names: originally the Paul Carlson Foundation, later changed to the Paul Carlson Medical Program, and presently the Paul Carlson Partnership. The current operating name reflects how the PCP approaches ministry. Indeed, it seeks to be a partnership: with local ministry organizations, like the Communauté Évangélique de l’Ubangi-Mongala (CEUM) in Congo; with congregations in North America; and with persons in the medical, educational, and business fields for focused work in specific countries. The PCP is presently focusing on Congo and the rebuilding and equipping of vital community health and development programs following years of devastating civil war. Congo is expected to be PCP’s focus for three years. Funds are raised for this program from a variety of contributors and sponsors. Support from local ECC congregations and members is currently being sought through a campaign called “Bearing the Marks: A Future with Hope” and an emphasis on celebrating a “Congo Christmas.” Members of the board of directors of the PCP are elected by the ECC Executive Board. The Executive Minister of the DWM is also the president of the PCP; this ministry has its own director, presently Rev. James Sundholm. The Paul Carlson Partnership can be contacted through the ECC website, where it has its own home page, or by e-mail at paulcarlson@covchurch.org. This ministry always serves in collaboration with the DWM and local churches.