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Great Lakes Conference: Expanded Mission is Primary Focus
JAMESTOWN, NY (April 29, 2003) - New Great Lakes Conference Supt. Richard Lucco
shared his vision for the future of the conference as part of a Friday
evening worship service during the Conference Annual Meeting April 25-26 at
First Covenant Church in Jamestown.
Lucco shared the conference's new mission statement - "Every Church A
Strategic Mission Outpost on a Shared and Expanded Mission Field" as part
of his annual report, stating that three areas of ministry - church
revitalization, church planting and churches planting ministries of
compassion and justice - will receive primary focus.
During his sermon, Lucco used the Luke 19 story of Zacchaeus the tax
collector to describe how Jesus Christ seeks the lost, and he challenged
churches to do the same. He shared his growing faith journey, telling
delegates from 35 congregations about how the love of a Young Life staff
member helped bring him into a new life in Christ.
"We live in challenging times," said Lucco at the conclusion of his annual
report to delegates. "The need for individuals and churches that embody the
gospel and are used by God to find lost people and help hurting people has
never been greater. Our meeting these days will celebrate what God is doing
in us and through us and call us to a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ and
the work of his kingdom."
In other news:
- Delegates read into the minutes a proposed revised constitution and
by-laws that will be voted on at next year's annual meeting, according to
conference Chair Ken Larson.
- Conference delegates approved the recommendation of denominational
membership of Christ Covenant Church in Wixom, Michigan, a church plant
started by Nathan Pawl. That recommendation will be considered by delegates
to the Evangelical Covenant Church Annual Meeting in June. The congregation
had its grand opening service last September after starting preview
services in January 2002.
- Associate Supt. Larry Sherman spoke about another church plant, Life
Church in Canton, Michigan, and showed a video of recent developments
there. Life Church was started by pastor Alex Rahill and held its first
weekly service on April 16 in a local school.
- Delegates re-elected Larson, Pawl and Carole Lindberg to second terms
on the conference executive board.
- The conference board agreed with a matching funds initiative to help
the conference's fledgling Churches Planting Ministries initiative. Lucco
discussed the initiative that is under way at the conference level, noting
that a HELP offering will help provide financial resources. Larson stated
that the conference will match what is raised at the local level. The HELP
offering from the conference then will be matched up to a maximum of
$30,000 by the Evangelical Covenant Church to support new and expanded
ministries.
- James Swanson, Brian Haight, Brian Kyle, John Madvig and Jon Meyer -
five of six candidates for ordination from the conference - shared their
testimonies during last weekend's business session, according to Beverly
Bubb, conference office manager. A Friday evening banquet launched the
annual meeting.
The Great Lakes Conference includes 61 congregations in seven states. For
more information about the conference and its ministries, call Bubb at
734-451-4670.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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