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Curtis D. Peterson Nominated to Lead World Mission
CHICAGO, IL (February 24, 2003) - Curtis D. Peterson has been nominated for the
position of executive minister of the Department of World Mission of the
Evangelical Covenant Church. If elected by delegates attending the 118th
Annual Meeting in June, he will assume his new duties September 1.
Peterson, currently the chair of the Executive Board, is pastor of
Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara, California, where he has served
since July 1980. He and his wife, Martie, have three children: Erik, Nils
and Jonathan.
"Curt has a clear understanding of the direction in which world mission is
moving," said Catherine Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who served as
chair of the search committee and serves as chair of the World Mission
Committee of the Executive Board. "He also has all of the necessary skills
to manage this large mission effort and to build on the foundation that has
already been laid. He has the ability to cast a vision and can be a strong
voice in transmitting that vision of worldwide mission to our local
churches."
A clear sense of vision and good management skills were two of five areas
of strength sought by the search committee appointed by the Executive
Board, which serves as the nominating committee on behalf of the entire
church. Pastoral care, a demonstrated concern for missionaries and their
well-being and a heart for mission were the other desired strengths.
Of particular importance is the ability to work with people in different
cultural contexts throughout the world, Gilliard noted. "To be effective in
worldwide ministry, you have to have a comfort level in working within
another context, often a cross-cultural context, where you may be the only
one who is different," she observed. "We asked tough questions about his
comfort level in those kinds of situations. Curt consistently has been
placing himself into those kinds of cross-cultural situations, which is
important as most of his work will be in other parts of the world."
Gilliard said the committee placed importance on Peterson's history of
interaction with ministries worldwide. "It was interesting to note that
whenever he took trips, sabbaticals and the like, they usually were to
mission areas where Covenant ministry is taking place. He has been
intentional in his effort to be informed and connected, to be involved. He
not only has a heart and a passion for world mission ministries, he works
at keeping informed."
The call to Peterson to move into this new area of ministry service comes
at a time of personal soul-searching he says has been going on for some
time. "During these years at Montecito Covenant God has convicted and
called me to help mobilize the mission of the Gospel in the Santa Barbara
community and throughout the world," Peterson writes in his letter of
explanation sent to members of his congregation. "This conviction led to
the planting of a new 'mission outpost' in our community, Ocean Hills
Covenant Church. It led to the support of a local church plant in Isla
Vista and the formation of the Santa Barbara Community Development Center
as an outgrowth of that ministry.
"This conviction led to mission trips with some of you to Colombia, Alaska
and Lithuania," Peterson continues. "This conviction also prompted us to
visit and encourage our missionaries in Thailand, Spain, Germany and the
Czech Republic. This past summer as we studied the 'church alive' in Acts,
I was challenged in a new way by the promise that when we are filled with
the power of the Holy Spirit we 'will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"
Peterson said the Covenant's call to world mission leadership "is a
confirmation of what has been stirring in me. Mission work can be a lonely
experience. I feel a responsibility to come alongside our people, to
encourage, to listen, to provide spiritual and pastoral counsel. To support
people in ways that help resolve conflict, create vision in the heart in
the midst of hardships. To help them listen to the Spirit. My role is to
bring gifts of pastoral direction and care into the lives of missionaries
and missionary leaders."
If elected, Peterson will replace interim executive minister John
Notehelfer who assumed leadership of the world mission department following
the resignation of Jim Gustafson last year. Notehelfer will serve until the
permanent executive minister assumes that leadership role.
"I want to express my appreciation and that of the entire church for Curt's
willingness to lead this vital area of ministry," said President Glenn
Palmberg. "Sharing the Gospel throughout the world goes to the heart of
what it means to be Covenant," Palmberg added, noting the historic
commitment by the denomination to worldwide evangelization. "Curt brings
not only a deep passion for worldwide ministry, but he also brings a depth
of experience in pastoral care, which will prove valuable as he ministers
to our missionaries and staff, providing good counsel, support and
encouragement as they labor in various parts of the world."
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