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MWC eNews
of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Churches working together to transform lives and communities by starting new churches, strengthening existingchurches and developing missional leaders.
We exist for others
eNews • August 2016 • www.midwestcovenant.org
Welcome, New Life Covenant!
On Sunday, July 31, leaders from seven central Kansas churches gathered at The Journey Covenant in Wichitato celebrate the start of New Life Covenant, the Midwest Conference’s newest church plant. Along with TheJourney Covenant (1994) and Life.Church Wichita (2014), New Life Covenant will seek to reach some of theover 250,000 unchurched people in Kansas’ largest city.
Church Planting Pastor Chad Pickering believed the ECC might be a good fit both missionally and theologically.But attending the MWC Ministry Celebration in April and the Church Planter Assessment Center in July stronglyconfirmed God’s call for him and his wife, Shauna. New Life Covenant’s mission is to make fully devoted followers of Jesus. The church’s core values include:
It’s all about Jesus: Everything we do and say must point to Jesus.Radical Love: If we don’t love, nothing else matters.Grace and Truth: We are to be full of both grace and truth.Irrational Generosity: We will maximize our resources for Jesus.Church is Not a Building: We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist for others.Authentic Community: We were not designed to do life alone.
Incredible Joy: No one should have more joy than those given new life.
Chad and two of his leaders will attend the Church Planter Training Intensive in September. New Life is growingand equipping their launch team in anticipation of preview worship later this fall. The central Kansas churches are partnering in this new mission. For more information, email Chad [email protected].
Two New Church Planting Residencies Launched
This August the Midwest Conference has launched two enhanced, sixmonth church planting residencies inpartnership with two of our Regional Church Planting Groups. Jeremy Kolb has begun a residency atCelebration Covenant in Omaha, NE. Jeremy, who grew up in Mexico, is preparing to plant a bilingual church inOmaha. Mark Hawke has begun a residency at Grace Place in Berthoud, CO. Mark is a native of Boulder, CO,and is preparing to plant a church in Erie, a fastgrowing community north of Denver.
Both Celebration Covenant and Grace Place are thriving churches with apostolic “DNA.” Their respectivepastors, Andrew and Dawn Burnett and Clay Peck, are gifted leaders with a passion to share Christ with theworld around them. These residencies will help us to start stronger new churches by leveraging the leadershipculture and ministry systems of healthy, missional churches.
2016 MWC Fall Pastors Retreats
Western Retreat
Franciscan Retreat CenterColorado Springs, COOctober 1012, 2016Speaker Cecilia Williams
Eastern Retreat Carol Joy Holling Retreat CenterAshland, NE October 1719, 2016Speakers Steve and Marti Burger
Walking Alongside our Refugee Sisters and Brothers (cont.)
Below is the second installment of our series highlighting a few of the MWC churches serving and partneringwith refugee populations in their communities. CrossCultural Ministry at Home and Abroadby Scott Vair, Refugee Ministry Leader and World Orphans President (member of Castle Oaks CovenantChurch in Castle Rock, CO)
Through its outreach and missions efforts, Castle Oaks Covenant Church in Castle Rock, CO, is servingrefugees locally, in Colorado, and globally, in Iraq. Castle Oaks began working with refugees in the Denver area in December 2013. Through Lutheran FamilyServices’ Refugee and Asylee Program, volunteer mentor teams come alongside refugee families to help themresettle into a secure, stable environment on their way to selfsufficiency. It’s an opportunity for crossculturalministry—much like a shortterm missions trip—without traveling! Teams of 68 volunteers commit to weekly visits for six months. Mentors help ensure basic needs are met whilehelping the family gain practical, social and cultural life skills. Communication is one of the first barriers, so
mentors help navigate practical things like employment, medical visits, school, banking, bus access/driving, etc.,all while teaching English—key to daily life. The most beautiful result is relationship. Mentors become trusted friends, as teams invest themselves in thelives and success of these families. Serving this family, being in their home, walking with them, has been an incredible gift. It feels a bit risky, younever know what a visit will hold, but I have seen Jesus provide in so many ways. I’ve experienced love, humilityand grace beyond measure. What a privilege and honor to come alongside these dear families. – Mentor TeamMember
Castle Oaks’ global work includes support for World Orphans’ five refugee microcamps in the Kurdistan regionof Northern Iraq. Each microcamp is selfgoverned and consists of 2025 families living in cinder block homes,totaling 700 people/125 families. Camps are kept small and dispersed around a larger community, allowing themen to find work, avoiding dependency. World Orphans currently provides schooling at their centrally locatedCommunity Center for 150 refugee children who would otherwise not be allowed education. World Orphans isbuilding a new school to house up to 500 refugee children, returning the Community Center to its intended use—vocational training for widows in the community. Click here for more information. Contact [email protected] to share what your church is doing to partner withrefugee groups in your area!
Churches Working Together to Transform Lives
by Andrew Burnett, Pastor, Celebration Covenant Church in Omaha, NE
I can't help but feel a little downA little worried when I look aroundThat's why my hope is inMy hope is in the Lord VBS is a great way to reach kids in our communities with the love of Jesus Christ. And it can be crazy fun, notjust for the kids but also—maybe especially—for the adults and youth who serve on a VBS team. Doing VBS with excellence and a community outreach focus is also a big investment that can stretch thefinancial and volunteer resources of a congregation. For the past few years, Community Covenant and Celebration Covenant in Omaha have teamed up in the VBS"preseason" to plan and purchase supplies and work together on decorations, with decorative pieces takingtheir turn at each location. This summer, the partnership got both wider and deeper, including a thirdcongregation (Hope Presbyterian) in the supplies and decoration partnership, and merging Community andCelebration VBS teams to put on a joint VBS hosted at Celebration. Team leaders and volunteers fundraisedtogether, trained together, ate together, prayed together, served together and celebrated together as kids andfamilies came together to experience Jesus, the Light of the World. Joy overflowed as 28 kids said their YES to Jesus for the first time! And each child heard, personally, that Jesusloves them and is for them. It's awesome to experience what the Holy Spirit can do, together. Jesus, He loves meHe loves me, He is for meJesus, how can it beHe loves meHe is for me
A Con
versation on Race
Join us for a conversation/workshop with Robert Owens, Superintendent of the Covenant's SoutheastConference, where we will talk about the Black Lives Matter movement, historical and biblical perspectives onrace and how we as a church are called to respond to race and violence. Cosponsored by BethlehemCovenant Church and the Midwest Conference. Please share this flyer with your congregation.
October 6, 2016Bethlehem Covenant Church, Waverly, NE1:304:30 pm Workshop for pastors/ministry staff*6:308:30 pm Service open to all pastors and Covenant congregations Q&A to follow
*Dinner will be provided for pastors/ministry staff following the afternoon workshop. RSVP to Dan Olson [email protected] or (402) 7855685 by Oct 5.
Iowa Missional Leadership Development Workshop
October 8, 2016Twin Lakes Bible Camp, Manson, IA9:00 am3:00 pm
Iowa churches are invited to a workshop on Missional Leadership Development with guest speaker Dave Olson,
Director of Church Planting for the Pacific Southwest Conference. Dave previously served in a similar role for
the ECC nationally, as well as Executive Minister of Church Growth and Evangelism. Dave's consistent focushas been developing healthy churches that advance the Kingdom of God—through starting new churches andcoaching churches for ministry and leadership development. Click here for additional details and registration.
Did you know...?
A lot is happening in the Midwest Conference. Catch up on recent changes and events below!
BirthMaple Joy was born July 28 to parents Mike and Joyce Bingeman. Mike serves as chaplain with BryanHealth in Lincoln, NE. Welcome, Maple!
Staffing Changes
Congratulations to Pastor Rich Murray on his retirement this August! Rich retires from the position of SpiritualResources Coordinator at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, IA, after 13 years of service with OpportunityVillage. We would also like to thank the following pastors for their service to MWC churches and communities as theytransition out of their current ministry settings:
Mike McInnis, Interim Pastor of Brantford Covenant in Clyde, KS. Mike has accepted a call at Wimdom FirstUnited Methodist Church in Windom, MN.Tamara Hutsell, Youth Ministry Director of Brantford Covenant in Clyde, KSElise Hawke, Chaplain, Covenant Place of Lenexa in Lenexa, KS
We wish to welcome the following pastors to their new ministry settings:Linnea Ek will begin serving as Interim Pastor at Wakefield Covenant in Wakefield, NE, in midSeptember.Chad Pickering began serving as Pastor of the conference's newest church plant, New Life Covenant inWichita, KS, in August.
Making the News!Check out this article and video about the Worship Wagon, run by Pastor Bruce McGregor of Freedom
Covenant in Kansas City, MO!
Learning Together
This August, Covenant Orientation offered Vocational Excellence in Colorado Springs and the MWC made agreat showing! Congratulations to the following ministry staff and lay leaders for completing the course: RyanAshley (Restoration Cov, Arvada, CO), Daniel Brinkman (Arvada Cov, Arvada, CO), Tracy Hilts (Pikes PeakHospice, Colorado Springs, CO), Scott Vair (World Orphans, Castle Rock, CO), Grayson Daganaar(Community Cov, Kearney, MO), Alfreda Jones (Relevant Word, Colorado Springs, CO), Nathan Burdick(Grace Cov, Lakewood, CO), Scott Parr (Christ Community Cov, Arvada, CO), Marc Jefferson (AuroraCommunity Cov, Aurora, CO), Bill Stephens (Ascent Community, Louisville, CO), Eugene Kiruhura (Shalom,Des Moines, IA). Do you have big news to share? Contact [email protected] to have your important event publishedin the eNews.
MWC Presents...
Thank you to those who volunteer their time to serve on the MWC Executive Board!
Name: Jon Black
Position on board: VicechairCurrent church: Countryside Covenant Church, McPherson, KS
What do you enjoy most about serving on the Executive Board? I enjoy the great camaraderie with theleaders who serve on the board.
Where are you sensing God’s leading in the MWC? God is leading our conference in direct correlation toour MWC mission statement. In what ministries do you serve in your local church? As lead pastor, I meet with several teams.
Tell us about your family. Lynn and I have been married for 26 years. We have three children. Micah is ajunior at Sterling College, Molly is a freshman at Kansas State and Mattea is a junior at McPherson High School.Each of our children enjoys using their gifts of music and drama. Lynn has her master's degree in ChristianEducation and has served alongside me in many capacities in the church. Currently she is serving as ourInterim Worship Director and offers leadership in Christian Formation.
What are your hobbies? Unlike much of ministry, it is gratifying to see tangible and immediate results fromphysical activities, such as mowing the lawn. I also enjoy taking regular walks around the neighborhood with mywife and playing tennis at least once a week. These activities have proven to be indispensable to maintain myemotional sanity.
What is your favorite Bible story and why? I appreciate many of our biblical heroes of faith because theystruggled with many of the same issues that leaders do today. When God initially called his people to theirleadership roles, they came up with excuses: Moses—too inarticulate; David and Jeremiah—too young; KingSaul—too inexperienced; Mary and Joseph—too poor; Gideon—too afraid. Each of these would learn that Godcould be trusted to accomplish the impossible.
What is your favorite vacation spot? My favorite vacation spot is wherever extended family members reside.My wife and I grew up spending significant time (holidays, etc.) surrounded by family. Since we've begun in fulltime ministry, we have never lived very close to relatives; therefore, we have spent many vacation times throughthe years traveling to them. I also enjoy returning to my hometown, Jamestown, NY, even though most of myextended family members have since moved on. There is still no place like home.Churches working together to transform lives and communities by starting new churches, strengthening existingchurches and developing missional leaders.
From Our Superintendent
Friends,
What an exciting time in our conference as we celebrate the start of New Life Covenant Church in Wichita and
the launch of two church planting residencies! MWC churches take our shared mission seriously as they work
together to start new churches. I am especially struck by New Life’s core value that states, “Church is not abuilding: We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist for others.” That is our calling as Christ’s Church. We have theprivilege of joining God in his adventurous mission to reach people who are not currently in our churches butneed to know that God loves them. In this issue, you will also learn how Castle Oaks Covenant Church in Castle Rock, CO, lives out this value ofexisting for others as they serve refugee populations in their community. The fruitfulness of this ministry stemsfrom a focus on relationship as team members invest in the lives of those they serve. Planting a church or developing a communitybased ministry like that of Castle Oaks can be challenging if youaren’t sure how to pursue available resources in your area. If you are serving an underresourced population orseeking ways to develop community partnerships, I invite you to join us for the Ministry Development Workshophosted by the Midwest Conference and Freedom Fire Ministries September 2628 in Prairie Village, KS. Thisworkshop will encourage you and provide practical tools for sustainable ministry. It is always exciting to witness how God is using MWC churches to further his kingdom, and I look forward toseeing what else he has in store for us.
To God be the glory!
Tammy Ministry Development WorkshopThe funding of local ministries can be challenging, especially for young churches, ethnic churches, andchurches in urban and rural contexts. In this workshop, Dr. Bruce McGregor shares how he has identifiedmultiple funding streams and networks that have been essential for the sustained development of ministries inunderresourced contexts. Click here for workshop details.
Online Registration
Covenant Community Bible Experience
The Evangelical Covenant Church is excited to announce a Covenantwide effort launching in 2016 to be“People of the Book” together! We encourage you and your church to join us on an unforgettable journey–toreignite our passion for the Scriptures. Sponsored by Make and Deepen Disciples.
Bible Study Resources Needed
Resonate Discipleship Experience, located at Covenant Cedars Bible Camp in Hordville, NE, is scheduled tobegin classes August 27. Staff is working to build a library of Bible commentaries and other study materials foruse by students. If you have any such resources that you would be willing to donate to the Resonate program,please contact Resonate Director Jim Eaton at [email protected].
Donations
We invite you to consider a special gift for the mission of the Midwest Conference. Visit Midwest ConferenceDonations.
Prayer Calendar
Download the JulyOctober 2016 Prayer Calendar, also available on our website.
Free m&m's!
Pastors, Superintendent Tammy would enjoy meeting with your leadership team to share about the MWC
Mission & Ministry. She'll even provide a tasty visual that will encourage leaders to learn the conference missionstatement! Contact Tammy at [email protected] to invite her to an upcoming meeting.
Upcoming Events
Cluster MeetingsIowaSept 1, 11:30 amThe Well, Des Moines, IA
South Metro DenverSept 8, 10:30 amCentennial Cov, Littleton, CO
Blue ValleySept 14, 8:30 amECC, Clay Center, KS
OmahaSept 15, 9:00 amLaPeep Pepperwood, Omaha, NE
Northern ColoradoSept 22, 11:45 amLifeSpring Cov, Loveland, CO
Kansas CityOct 5, 10:30 amHillcrest Cov, Prairie Village, KS
Church Planter Training IntensiveSept 1419, Chaska, MN
Latino Leadership GatheringSept 24, 8:30 am1:30 pmHillcrest Cov, Prairie Village, KS
Ministry Development WorkshopSept 2628, Hillcrest Cov, Prairie Village, KS
A Conversation on RaceOct 61:304:30 pm Pastors event6:308:30 pm All ECC congregations
Bethlehem Cov, Waverly, NE
Iowa Missional Leadership WorkshopOct 8, 9:00 am 3:00 pmTwin Lakes Bible Camp, Manson, IA Journeying Together: A Faithful Response to AddictionNov 12, North Park University, Chicago, IL
Addictions, from drugs to alcohol, food to sex, are impacting our communities and churches, cutting across age,race and socioeconomic status. Explore how healthcare professionals and congregations can collaborate torespond faithfully to the challenge of addiction. Click here for more information or call 7732446214. Sustaining Pastoral ExcellenceStepping away from ordinary rhythms...
Check out and apply for 2016 SPE opportunities here. Covenant Orientation 2016Click on the class name to register.
Vocational ExcellenceNov 711, Calgary, AB, CanadaNov 1619, Bethel, AK
Mission & Ministry of ECCOct 1618, Minneapolis, MN
Employment Opportunities
Seeking employment? See if any of these opportunities within the denomination are right for you.
NEWLY CREATED POSITIONSCheck out this new posting for a Youth/Worship Pastor at Alert Cov in Leonardville, KS.
Crossroads Cov in Loveland, CO, has recently added the position of Campus Pastor. Interested applicantsshould view the opening on CovConnect and contact Superintendent Tammy to discuss the position in furtherdetail.
What's Happening?
Are you celebrating an epic moment in the life of your church? Email [email protected] with picturesof your event to be shared on Facebook and/or in the eNews!
Spanish Translation Needed
The MWC would like to provide essential notifications in Spanish, when possible. If you or someone you knowwould be interested in joining a volunteer task force to help with this need, please contact the conference officeat [email protected] or 8888713020.
Personal Retreats Available
Covenant Heights Camp and Covenant Cedars Bible Camp offer lodging and meals to fulltime church staff ofthe Midwest Conference for personal retreats and family weekends at no cost. Availability is dependent uponseason and camp schedule. For more information, contact Covenant Heights Camp at 9705862900 [email protected] and Covenant Cedars Bible Camp at 4027573241 or [email protected].
Twin Lakes Bible Camp provides free use of Haven 23, a house with full amenities, to anyone in ministry. Takeadvantage of this opportunity to relax and refresh! Contact 7122977714 or [email protected] formore information.
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