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Jerome Nelson Nominated to Lead Central Conference
CHICAGO, IL (November 16, 2004) - Jerome Nelson is the recommended
superintendent candidate for the Central Conference of the Evangelical
Covenant Church, Covenant News Service has learned.
Nelson, who has served as director of Church and Society Ministries of
the Central Conference, was notified of his selection late Sunday
afternoon. His selection by the elected members of the Central
Conference Executive Board will be presented for approval by Central
Conference annual meeting delegates who will be reconvened in early
January, according to Douglas Johnson, pastor of North Park Covenant
Church and chair of the Central Conference and conference executive board.
If approved by conference annual meeting delegates, Nelson will replace
retiring Central Conference Supt. Herbert M. Freedholm who will complete
his service December 31. Nelson will continue to handle his numerous
other conference responsibilities, including general conference work and
his focus on urban and ethnic ministries, until the transition is completed.
"Jerome has keen insight when it comes to understanding the life and
growth of diverse kingdom ministry," Johnson said of Nelson's selection.
"He knows what it takes to enhance the Covenant as a multi-cultural body
in meaningful ways." Johnson also noted Nelson's considerable business
experience and more than 20 years of pastoral ministry as significant in
his selection.
Johnson's sentiments were echoed by the chair of the search committee,
Janet Borggren, who describes Nelson as an individual of vision, passion
and energy. "He has already established himself as a leader in the
Covenant," Borggren says of Nelson's selection. "Our far-flung, diverse
conference will benefit from Jerome's talent at building connections. I
am delighted to be recommending him to the Central Conference as our
next superintendent."
Borggren also paid tribute to the retiring superintendent, noting that
"finding someone to follow Herb Freedholm was a daunting task. Our
committee reviewed many ministry profiles and interviewed several highly
qualified candidates. As a long-time Covenanter, I am thankful for the
large number of gifted leaders in our denomination."
Nelson is already familiar with the Central Conference, its staff and
its ministries, having traveled extensively throughout the conference
and having served as part of its staff. "We also feel he can be
effective in working with the larger Covenant because of his
deep-hearted affirmation of Covenant life, theology, history and
polity," Johnson added.
Although Nelson's considerable pastoral and secular experience were the
primary considerations in his selection, the fact that he also is a
person of color adds to the importance of his selection, Johnson
believes. "The question has been asked for some time: When will the
Covenant affirm a person of color in a key conference leadership role?"
Johnson noted. "We prayed through on this selection process, and
Jerome's name kept coming back to us." If approved by conference
delegates, Nelson will become the first African American conference
superintendent in the Covenant's history.
"I'm so grateful for the process that was used to select a new
superintendent," Nelson said today, stressing how important it was to
him that a new superintendent be selected on the basis of qualifications
and experience and his feeling of affirmation because of the executive
board's decision. "This also will give me an opportunity to honor Herb
Freedholm who is largely responsible for moving the conference in the
direction of increasing diversity.
"But, it also provides an opportunity to pursue new directions, too,"
Nelson said, noting the year-long conference long-range planning process
of which he has been a part. That process identified a number of goals,
including church planting, improved connectivity among conference
churches and between churches and conference staff, and the emphasis on
revitalization of existing congregations. "We've got some great churches
in the conference, very supportive churches, and I look forward to
working with all of them in pursuing our goals."
Nelson attended Purdue University studying business and received a
degree in finance from American Institute of Banking in 1981,
ministerial records show. He continued studies at Indiana University and
received a degree in Christian Education from North Park Theological
Seminary in 2002.
He was a vice president with TransWorld Bank from 1975 to 1985, worked
with the AAA Chicago Motor Club from 1985 until 1990 and served as
associate pastor of the Church of Gary Covenant Church from 1987 until
1999 when he accepted a position on the Central Conference staff. During
his time with the conference office, he has also served as
associate/co-pastor with Cuyler Covenant Church in Chicago.
He has been active with a number of ministries, including Covenant World
Relief, the Paul Carlson Partnership, WellSpring Center for Hope, the
Central Conference Church and Society Commission and the African
American Ministers Association.
He and his wife, Joanne, have three children – Patrick, Jason and Sean –
and reside in Chicago.
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