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Peterson: Ready to Take on New Challenge
By Bob Smietana
RFOSEMONT, IL (June 27, 2003) - More than anything, Curtis D. Peterson says he is
"greatly honored" to be asked to serve as the executive minister of the
Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Peterson,
who was elected by delegates during the Thursday afternoon business session
at the 118th Annual Meeting, knows that
the job he faces will be complex and challenging. But he says he has
already been overwhelmed by the support he has received from Covenanters.
"I am depending on the prayers of Covenanters who have already been so
generous in expressing their support and encouragement," he says. "I am
proud to be joining the world mission team."
The Covenant Church has a long commitment to bringing the gospel to the end
of the earth, says Peterson. "The way that message has been communicated
has changed over the years," he says, "but bringing the message has always
depended on dedicated, gifted and passionate missionaries."
In accepting his new role, Peterson is stepping down from two key areas of
ministry - as the chair of the Covenant Executive Board, and as pastor of
Montecito Covenant Church in Santa Barbara, California, where he has served
since July 1980. The skills he developed as a pastor will serve him well in
the new position as he works to support and encourage Covenant missionaries
around the world.
"I am bringing my experience in mission as a local pastor (to this new
role)," Peterson says, "and the gifts of pastoral leadership and
administration - a task that is complex and challenging but more important
today than ever."
Along with his pastoral ministry and his work on the Executive Board,
Peterson has served on numerous conference and denominational boards. He
has helped plant two growing churches in the Santa Barbara area: Ocean
Hills Covenant Church and Fuente de Esperanza Covenant Church in Isla
Vista. Peterson's church also aided the Santa Barbara Community Development
Center, which serves the underserved neighborhood via food distribution,
education and medical services. His heart for mission works has led him to
visit Colombia, Lithuania, and a number of Covenant mission works.
Evangelical Covenant Church President Glenn R. Palmberg is thankful for the
talents and spirit of Peterson, stating, that "(Peterson) 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."
Peterson and his wife, Martie, are the parents of three children. He will
begin his new duties on September 1.
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