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David Stockamp to Head International Institute
CHICAGO, IL (May 14, 2005) - David Stockamp, coordinator of church relations
for the Department of World Mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church,
has accepted a new position as executive director of the Institute for
International Christian Communication (IICC), it has been announced.
Stockamp, who accepted his current position in 1999, is expected to work
through a transition period with Covenant World Mission and assume his
new responsibilities later this year.
The institute, operating since 1984 from its base in Portland, Oregon,
has worked with Western Seminary to provide an experienced framework for
an innovative program of mission leadership development. It serves as an
umbrella for a variety of initiatives, including WorldView, a
multicultural living and learning cooperative designed to equip and
motivate Christians of every culture and vocation to become effective
bicultural disciples, according to its purpose statement. The institute
has served more than 65 different churches and missions in 50 countries
of Africa, Asia, Europe and North America since 1964.
"I have loved serving the Department of World Mission," Stockamp said.
"We have quality people – and dedicated people – who are passionate
about a world that Christ loves, and I will miss them.
"Ultimately, the decision was about exercising the gifts God has given
me," he continued. "Ever since I left Congo, I've felt a yearning to get
back into leadership formation. The position at the Institute will
provide me this opportunity."
Stockamp was commissioned as a Covenant missionary to Congo in 1978 and
was part of the 1991 evacuation from (then) Zaire when civil unrest
erupted into widespread conflict. In 1994 he worked as the Mission
Facilitator for the North Pacific Conference and as pastor of missions
at West Hills Covenant Church, which is home to Stockamp and his wife,
Celia, who is an important part of the mission ministry they both serve.
The couple was married in June last year and live in Lake Oswego.
"David has exceptional administrative and teaching gifts and has helped
to form the core of our mission strategy in the Covenant over the past
six years in his role in Church Relations," said Curt Peterson,
executive minister of Covenant World Mission. "His fingerprints are on
virtually all of our printed materials, from the original 'white paper'
and strategic goals to brochures and the HELPS resource provided
to our churches each year. He has visited a good percentage of our
churches and conferences personally and provided the supervision for
itineration connections for missionaries visiting local congregations."
Peterson also praised Stockamp's initiative in providing video and
photographic resources for use in local Covenant churches and missions
festivals over the years. "In so many ways, David has brought world
mission and the work of missionaries to the church in ways that have
resulted in personal prayer support and ongoing financial support for
all of our missionaries."
Covenant President Glenn Palmberg recalled his nearly 30-year friendship
with Stockamp that had its beginnings when Palmberg was Dean of Students
at North Park University and Stockamp came as a student. "He has been a
close friend ... and our paths have intersected many times over the
years," Palmberg noted. The president was particularly pleased with
Stockamp's role as Mission Facilitator in the North Pacific Conference,
a new position developed while Palmberg served as superintendent of that
conference and one that the president credits as the impetus for the
denominational emphasis that followed and that Stockamp served.
"In conversations with the Congolese where David served, they speak with
incredible respect for what he accomplished," Palmberg observes. "But,
there also is great respect for the relationships he developed with
them. David's interests and passions are expressed both in the way he
brings people to faith in Christ and his expression of compassion for
people in need.
"We are proud as a denomination to have one of our own become head of
this international mission organization," he continued. "We will look
forward to the many ways in which our denomination can connect and
interact with his organization. I am pleased that his ties to the
Covenant remain strong and believe his new work will enhance both the
Covenant and his mission organization." Stockamp, who is an ordained
pastor in the Covenant with a Doctor of Missiology degree from Western
Seminary, will maintain his Covenant ministerial credentials.
Palmberg and Peterson also expressed appreciation for the way in which
Celia has entered into ministry endeavors. "Celia is becoming known in
Covenant circles for her love and passion for Christ as well," Palmberg
noted. "David's marriage to Celia last summer has filled his life with
joy and happiness," Peterson added. She will serve in a part-time role
on the IICC staff assisting international students living in the
WorldView community, working as a mentor, discipling students and
assisting with various scheduling activities.
"I'm grateful for Glenn Palmberg's leadership and friendship," Stockamp
said. "He joined me in a leap of faith in advocating a position in
conference mission ministry. My path would have been significantly
altered had he not provided visionary leadership. I am also appreciative
of Curt Peterson's leadership. He has a true pastor's heart for the
missionaries and is constantly asking if what we're doing as a
department has an impact on the local church.
"And, I am deeply grateful for the Evangelical Covenant Church,"
Stockamp continued. "This is my church family and I will be taking what
I have experienced as a pastor, missionary, conference mission
facilitator and church relations coordinator into this new ministry.
This also is a wonderful opportunity to partner in ministry with my
wife, Celia. It is my hope and prayer that in the realm of missionary
and international leadership training, our paths (Covenant and IICC)
will cross frequently."
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