131 st Annual Meeting

Transcription

1 Found Faithful Develop Leaders 131 st Annual Meeting OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH JUNE 24-25, 2016 Phoenix, Arizona CANDIDATES BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION This folder contains biographical information and a personal statement for each candidate on the 2016 ballot.

2 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Evangelical Covenant Church Annual Meeting 2016 General Information Regarding Biographies: - An asterisk ( * ) before a name indicates incumbent. - All information was provided by the candidate. - Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. - Experience indicates past and present activities. - Guide to abbreviations: CBC = Covenant Bible College CHET = Centro Hispano de Estudios Teologicos CHIC = Covenant High in Christ CMB = Covenant Ministries of Benevolence MHIPE = Ministerios Hispanos de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangelico NPU = North Park University NPTS = North Park Theological Seminary Board of Nominations Process for Recommendation of Candidates for Denominational Boards: -Candidates are recommended and gathered from: Conference Annual Meetings, Conference Boards, Superintendents, local churches (pastors and laypersons), ECC Ethnic Associations, Council of Administrators -Candidate recommendations are reviewed and discussed by Board of Nominations during Fall board meeting -Candidates recommendations are reviewed and approved by President of the ECC and Executive Minister of the Ordered Ministry -Local church pastors are contacted for reference checks for layperson candidate recommendations -Superintendents are contacted for reference checks for credentialed candidate recommendations -Candidates are contacted after all approvals and reference checks are completed to request consideration for denominational board ballot EXECUTIVE BOARD - One candidate needed for each position. (4-year term; elect 1) John Bonkoski, member of Emmanuel Covenant Church, Shoreview, MN. Design Phase Manager, Mortenson Construction. Experience: Church council; church elder; small group leader; team leader; Jr./Sr. high youth counselor. Personal Statement: God has graciously gifted me with a passion for business/life/faith integration. My academic, ministry and leadership experiences as well as my experience growing up as a Covenant pastor s son have equipped me to serve in this capacity. Covenant Church. Experience: MHIPE (vice president); Hispanic Pastor Coordinator for the Pacific Southwest Conference; Simi Valley Pastor s Association (board member); Sunday school teacher. Personal Statement: The Great Commission is my approach and is the most important thing to my ministry. I have a great passion to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus. God has allowed me to develop the gifts of preaching, teaching and organizing leaders. As a member of the Executive Board, I hope to be a good representative of the Hispanic members of the Covenant in the USA. Doris Granberry, member of Kingdom Covenant Ministries, Miami, FL. Retired. Experience: Board of Nominations; Christian Formation committee; Children and Family Ministry Coach; Southeast Conference Executive Board (chair); ECC Executive Board Women Ministries Education chair; West Perrine Christian Association; church council (chair, secretary, treasurer); Sunday school teacher; Women Ministries. Personal Statement: As a retired public school administrator and longtime church administrator, I bring the gift of administration and a calling for children and family ministry as a discipleship leader. I have a passion for children and family ministry and the great possibilities that lie within the nurture and support of strengthening this cord within the body of Christ. I desire to be a conduit that will help prepare them for the work of the ministry. Erick Marquez, member of Iglesia del Pacto Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, CA. Manager, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Experience: Pending. Personal Statement: I am interested in serving on the Executive Board because I believe I bring a unique experience and perspective that can help guide the direction of the ECC. As a first generation college student of Latino descent, parent, and advocate for youth involvement, I believe I can help look for authentic ways to engage all members of our church, especially our youth, who are the future of our church. Dwain Tissell, member of Eastridge Covenant Church, Clackamas, OR. Lead/Founding Pastor, Eastridge Covenant Church. Experience: School of Prayer (seminar leader and teacher); evangelism think tank; Canada Conference executive board; CBC study commission; Palau Organization; Sunday school teacher. Roberto Ghione, member of Nueva Esperanza Covenant Church, Simi Valley, CA. Senior Pastor, Nueva Esperanza Page 2 of 5 Personal Statement: I am a fourth generation Covenanter. We have raised our four children in the Evangelical

3 Agenda Item 13 Covenant Church where I have served as a pastor for over 30 years. I have a deep passion for the gospel, the Covenant s historic message befriending all people through it, and I believe we are uniquely poised to bring the good news to this generation. Cindy Wu, member of Access Evangelical Covenant Church, Katy, TX. Communications Coordinator, Trinity Classical School of Houston. Experience: Faithwalking spiritual formation collaboration (participant and freelance writer); Christian Churches Together (speaker); Sunday school teacher; cofounded a children s ministry; co-founder of Access women s ministry; worship team member; pulpit supply; published author ( Our Global Families ); research associate with the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. Personal Statement: I get excited when I look at what God is doing in and through the ECC, especially our growing multiethnic identity and global partnerships. Having served in various ministry contexts at home and abroad, I hope to serve on the Executive Board as someone with a heart for the nations who is committed to advancing our five mission priorities. BOARD OF NOMINATIONS -Conference Executive Boards recommend these candidates. Carolyn Larson, member of Bethany Covenant Church, Bedford, NH. Experience: ECC board of church growth and evangelism (vice chair and secretary); ECC stewardship commission (chair); ECC Board of Nominations; East Coast Conference board (chair, vice chair, secretary); ECC presidential search committee (vice chair); church council (chair); church leadership team (chair); pastoral search committee (chair); Sunday school teacher. Personal Statement: I have had the privilege of participating in the life of the Covenant at the local, conference and national level for over 30 years. I've met committed pastors and lay leaders and seen the impact of their ministry when gifts are recognized and all have opportunities to serve in leadership together. We need to continue to make our boards more representative of the diverse communities we serve, and I will work to that end. Erika Whittington, member of Community Covenant Church, Eagle River, AK. Pastor of Mission and Discipleship, Community Covenant Church. Experience: Conference Annual Meeting delegate; ECC Annual Meeting delegate; member of local ministerium. Personal Statement: I have been living in Alaska and have been a member of the Covenant Church in Alaska for over a decade. I am interested in serving on the Board of Nominations because I believe that, as an Alaskan, I can bring a unique voice and perspective to the table that is important for charting the future of the ECC. BOARD OF THE ORDERED MINISTRY - One candidate needed for each position. Greg Applequist, member of Bethany Covenant Church, Lyndhurst, OH. Pastor, Bethany Covenant Church. Experience: 2015 Presidential Nominating Committee (member); Great Lakes Conference Executive Board (chair); area ECC clergy cluster group (member); organizes local ecumenical clergy meeting; involved with improving relationships between local inter-faith community and school district; Sunday school teacher; mission board (member), pastoral search committee (chair); leadership team; worship team; local outreach team. Personal Statement: I love getting to know people, hearing their stories and helping people grow closer to Jesus. I feel that serving on the Board of the Ordered Ministry will allow me to use the gifts God has given me to serve in each of those areas. I look forward to getting to know our new ordinands and caring for clergy and their families. Maritza Medina, member of El Encino Covenant Church, Downey, CA. Domestic Abuse Employment and Eligibility Specialist Social Worker, Orange County Social Services Agency. Experience: Church council (chair, treasurer, member); Sunday school teacher; pulpit supply; Children Disaster Services worker. Personal Statement: I believe I have the calling of dealing with individuals who need help, and I m always willing to listen, to create and find solutions to overcome barriers and obstacles. I have the heart and discernment of God to also provide the coverage a brother or sister might need in times of mental, spiritual, and physical distress. I work well under stress, and I am seeking the Lord about one day becoming an ordained pastor. Barbara Swanson, member of Edgebrook Covenant Church, Chicago, IL. Missionary, Mosaics Project, ECC (Antwerp, Belgium). Experience: Covenant World Mission bi-annual missionary gatherings (secretary); Refugee Highway Partnership (leadership team member); World Day of Prayer (planning committee for English speaking celebration in Antwerp, Belgium); Sunday school teacher; worship team. Page 3 of 5

4 Personal Statement: I bring an international perspective that speaks a different voice to fellow pilgrims, future church leaders and missionaries, who are on a journey to ministry and service in the church. As I am passionate about serving others, it will be a holy experience to be a part of the team that mentors, evaluates and cares for those who will be served by this board. BOARD OF PENSIONS AND BENEFITS Monty Harmon, member of Grace Community Covenant Church, Olympia, WA. President and CEO, Evergreen Gaming Corporation. Experience: Pacific Northwest Conference men s ministry board; Pacific Northwest Conference men s ministry retreat planning committee; MEG (Men Experiencing God) group leader/facilitator; Sunday school teacher; missionary to Tanzania; church financial manager; church elder; experience as a fraud auditor. Personal Statement: As a Christian, I am committed to serving God first in my life. As a member of the Covenant Church, I see myself as a part of the larger body with various talents and gifts. God has allowed me to be elevated in my career to be the CEO of a publically traded company where I need to serve a board. It seems God has been preparing me for a position such as this. Lowell Peterson, member of Zion Covenant Church, Ellsworth, WI. Vice President of Manufacturing, Rockland Flooring. Experience: Northwest Conference Executive Board (treasurer, chair); Northwest Conference strategic planning task force; church council (chair, vice-chair); Sunday school teacher; Awana (now Kid s Quest) leader; United Way fund raiser; Red Wing Area Community Education (board member). Personal Statement: I have grown up in the Covenant. I attended Lake Beauty Bible Camp and Covenant Bible College and have been a member at Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin since completing confirmation. I believe that I have a servant s heart, which will serve me well in this role. In addition, I have excellent organizational skills and decades of experience improving customer satisfaction, shareholder return and building effective teams. BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE Kathryn Buettner, member of Naperville Covenant Church, Naperville, IL. Retired. Experience: Sunday school teacher; women ministries director; Illinois City Management Page 4 of 5 Association; American Red Cross of DuPage County (board member); DuPage National Technology Park (board member); Women in Government Relations. Personal Statement: In my professional career, I spent 10 years managing the university's governing board and 30+ years managing and supervising a staff of My administrative, leadership, personnel, leadership development and communications skills are exceptionally strong. I prayerfully submit my credentials and qualifications to the Covenant in humility and with a deserve to serve the Lord and His church. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY David Kallen-Youngberg, member of Grace Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago, IL. Director, Customer Supply Chain, PepsiCo. Experience: Church council; church bookkeeper; InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Leadership Advocacy Council; Grace Covenant staffing task force; church council nominating committee; North Park Friendship Center (board member). Personal Statement: I have great love for and pride in North Park University and am excited to use my gifts and talents to best serve the institution. I believe that the skills and knowledge that I have gained in my 22 years in corporate America can help in advising North Park and ultimately assisting students to best acquire and utilize their education. Mayra López-Humphreys, member of Metro Hope Covenant Church, New York, NY. Director, MSW Program and Associate Professor, Nyack College School of Social Work. Experience: Assemblies of God youth leader; Assemblies of God church plant associate pastor; Sunday school teacher; associate pastor, Metro Hope; New York State licensed social worker. Personal Statement: North Park University's commitment to embody ideals that cultivate a higher education learning environment that is intentionally urban, distinctively Christian and purposefully intercultural is a shared commitment of my own life s vocation. For the last fifteen years, preparing students for a life of service through higher education has been the central undertaking of my academic tenure. Equally important, the quality, productivity, and impact of my leadership in teaching, scholarship, and community engagement have been motivated by a deep desire to participate in reflecting God s shalom here on Earth.

5 Agenda Item 13 Dave Otfinoski, member of Haddam Neck Covenant Church, East Hampton, CT. President, Catamount Medical Education, LLC. Experience: North Park University Board of Trustees; Pilgrim Pines board (chair of recent capital campaign); Cromwell Covenant Church council (chair); Easton Covenant Church (associate pastor); church council (chair); stewardship board; deacon board; ecumenical ministers group. Personal Statement: North Park provides a well-rounded, faith-based educational experience that prepares young people for success in their personal and professional lives. As someone who has served as a Covenant pastor and built a number of successful businesses (and a couple of not-so successful ones), I think my varied experiences can benefit North Park in thinking through ways to provide curriculum and services to meet the needs of today's students. Tom Trautman, member of Redeemer Covenant Church, Brooklyn Park, MN. Retired. Experience: Annual meeting delegate; church council (chair, vice-chair); Sunday school teacher; diaconate member; elder member; church choir; anniversary celebration committee (chair); pastoral search committee. Personal Statement: The duties in my business career focused on risk assessment, judgment, and communications in science and health. Foundations of technical skills were built at North Park, where I also learned more fully who God wants me to be. I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve North Park in this way--to help assure it provides the highest educational opportunities in an environment that makes Christ known. ANNUAL MEETING OFFICERS for 2014 & 2015 Moderator (2-year term; elect 1) Sam Chang, member of Christ Covenant Church, Villa Park, IL. Director of ecommerce, PepsiCo. Experience: ECC executive board (chair); ECC Annual Meeting Parliamentarian; church council (chair, secretary, treasurer); Sunday school teacher; worship leader; pastoral relations committee (chair); pastoral search committee. Personal Statement: I have previous experience as a local church council chair, chair of the ECC Executive Board, and Annual Meeting Parliamentarian. I believe that these experiences will enable me to lead as the Annual Meeting Moderator, guiding delegates through the agenda, discussions and decisions as we worshipfully gather together to celebrate the work of God across churches and the denomination. Vice Moderator (2-year term; elect 1) Nancy Lewis, member of First Covenant Church, Oakland, CA. Pastor of Congregational Care, First Covenant Church. Experience: Board of the Ordered Ministry (chair); Pacific Southwest Conference executive board; Mission Springs Camp board; Commission on Ministerial Standing; spiritual director. Personal Statement: I have had the privilege to attend numerous conference and denominational Annual Meetings. At each of these meetings, I am always struck at how much is accomplished with limited resources and unlimited zeal and integrity. Serving as an ordained pastor in the ECC is both an honor and an opportunity. The ECC is my home and my family, and I will gladly use my time and skills to support its ministries. Page 5 of 5