SEATTLE, WA (May 11, 2010) – Delegates to the North Pacific Conference Annual Meeting celebrated the start of new ministries within churches as well as a strengthening of church planting efforts.
The meeting, which focused on the theme “Stronger Together,” was held at First Covenant Church April 23-24.
Local congregations have established ministries that are impacting people who or poor and even homeless. On February 21, Praise Covenant Church in Tacoma dedicated a new home for women who are either homeless or face the prospect of homelessness.
The home can house five women and a resident manager. It is a safe haven for women who are transitioning from prison, drug or alcohol abuse, partner abuse or poverty.
Last November, Trinity Covenant Church in Salem, Oregon, started its monthly free medical clinic. “We get to serve and love as Jesus loves us,” says clinic Coordinator Keeta Lauderdale.
The church had envisioned and planned the clinic for two years.
The meeting also highlighted increased efforts to grow the number of conference churches. Superintendent Mark Novak said hiring Kurt Carlson to be the full-time director of church planting would help the conference establish more congregations. Previously, Associate Superintendent Don Robinson had divided his time between responsibilities connected with that position and church planting.
Carlson informed the delegates that the conference is starting at least one new church this year – a multi-ethnic congregation in the greater Salem, Oregon, area. Scott and Carmen Bensink-Lewis are planting the church.
New and adopted churches account for 25 percent of the congregations in the conference.
Delegates approved a budget of $1.18 million.
In other activities and business:
- Novak spoke at the worship service on Friday night.
- Krisann Jarvis Foss, director of conference ministries, reported that about 150 pastors and lay leaders from 27 churches participated in the Leadership Matrix held March 6 at River Ridge Covenant Church in Olympia, Washington.
- Jarvis Foss reported that the Journey to Mosaic ministry continues to grow. About 40 people participated in the four-day interactive bus journey.
