Conference
The Central Conference of Evangelical Covenant Churches unites, plants, and strengthens more than one hundred churches of all shapes and sizes in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, eastern Missouri, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Learn more about the Conference through the resources and ministries presented in the website, or contact the Central Conference at 3319 West Foster Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 or (773) 267-3060.
Boards & Commissions of the Conference
The boards and commissions of the Central Conference administer specific areas of ministry for the benefit of member churches. Volunteers are appointed or elected to direct each group’s work, in conjunction with staff support.
BOARDS of the Conference
Executive Board administers conference ministries on behalf of Central Conference churches.
Harbor Point Ministries Board oversees both Covenant Harbor Bible Camp & Retreat Center (Lake Geneva WI) and Covenant Point Bible Camp (Iron River MI) in the Central Conference.
Women Ministries Board coordinates and supports Central Conference women ministries including local groups, fall retreat, and other projects.
Ministerial Association Board represents and attends to the credentialed Covenant ministers and staff of the Central Conference.
COMMISSIONS of the Conference
Church Planting Commission identifies, enables and coaches new church plants and their planting pastors, together with neighboring churches.
Christian Formation Commission coordinates and supports ministries of Christian formation, regional youth events, and leadership development.
Compassion, Mercy & Justice Commission promotes urban and multicultural ministry and supports ministries of community development, compassion, and justice.
Ministerial Care Commission supports ministers in crisis, and encourages healthy pastoral conduct.
Nominating Commission identifies and recommends gifted people for all conference ministries, and prepares the ballot for the Central Conference Annual Meeting.
Communications Commission gathers and disseminates information and stories that illustrate God’s work in and through the Central Conference via various media and events.
GROUPS of the Conference
District Pastors’ Clusters coordinates, supports, and networks area pastors.
African-American Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.
Hispanic Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.
Korean Ministries coordinates, supports, and networks pastors and churches.
Women Clergy coordinates, supports, and networks female Covenant pastors.
Annual-Mtg-Summary-2007.pdf
Leadership
The leadership of the Central Conference are essential to fulfilling the Great Commission in this region as gifted people give time, vision, and industry to the relationships and ministries that plant, unite and strengthen our churches.
Complete the Volunteer Application to serve on a Conference board or commission.
BOARD & COMMISSION Chairpersons
Executive Board Chair, Peggy Peryam
Women Ministries Board, Candi Tepke
Ministerial Association Board, James Stanley-Erickson
Christian Formation Commission, Sumit Sen and Sandi VanderKooi
Compassion, Mercy & Justice Commission, Cheryl Borgeson and Maki Coombs
Nominating Commission, Lois Hanson
District Pastors’ Clusters, refer to the District Cluster List for area facilitators
Women Clergy Association, Rita Kay Lochner
STAFF of the Conference
Superintendent Jerome Nelson serves as the executive pastor for the Central Conference ministries and staff.
Associate Superintendent Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson serves new churches and church planters, while also sharing other superintendent responsibilities.
Director of Ministry Development Deborah Griffith serves churches in the areas of Christian formation and ministries of compassion, mercy and justice.
Director of Church Revitalization Peter Sjoblom serves churches in the area of congregational health and revitalization.
Director of Stewardship Advancement Rick Hampton serves to advance the sustainability of Conference ministries, while strengthening local stewardship capacity of member churches.
Director of Communications Kirsten Nelson Wagenius serves to connect the Conference and its churches through various media.
Accountant William Bowen serves Conference leadership through financial administration.
Administrative Assistant Christine Pokorny serves the Conference churches and staff as the first-contact for information and administrative coordination.
Contact the staff by email (info@centralconf.org) or call the conference office at (773) 267-3060.
NC-Volunteer-App.pdf
District-Clusters.pdf
Churches
The churches of the Central Conference include 111 congregations in five states, and have a combined membership of over 17,000 people. Our churches range in attendance from 15 to 1400 and are located in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Although the denomination has a Swedish heritage, today over 20% of our congregations are primarily African-American, Hispanic, or Korean and many of the churches include a variety of ethnicities and cultures.
Search for a church in the Central Conference church directory.
Visit a new church plant in the Central Conference.
Archived Stories
April 3, 2008 - Memorial Service for Rev. Larry Griffin, who passed away on Thursday evening, March 27, 2008, will be held tonight at Community Covenant Church, 12446 S. Loomis Street in Calumet Park, IL 60827 at 7:00 PM. Memorial gifts can be sent to Rev. Debbie Blue, Executive Minister, at the Compassion Mercy and Justice Department, 5101 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.
March 31, 2008 - Evanston, IL Sojourner Covenant Church Sponsors Gatherings Focused on Slavery and Human Trafficking Sojourner Covenant Church is hosting three gatherings in April focusing on slavery and human trafficking. Details at www.sojournercov.org
March 18, 2008 - Arlington Heights, IL Teens Raise $4,000 to Help Family with Medical Bills Gladlyn Dahlgren says she is grateful to the teenagers who attend the Covenant Church of Schaumburg and recently raised thousands of dollars to benefit the family of her seriously ill grandson. Click here for the full story.
March 17, 2008 - Chicago, IL From Nuisance to Ministry Opportunity Beverly Covenant Church opened its doors March 9 to revelers at the large St. Patrick's Day Parade on the city's south side, reflecting a change in the congregation's attitude toward reaching out to people in the community, says member Janet Borggren. Click here for the full story.
January 17, 2008 - Fire Damage Minimal, Shelter Residents Return A fire at the Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO) homeless shelter caused only minor damage, and all residents have been able to return, says Sandy Ramsey, the ministry’s director. Jesus People USA Covenant Church (JPUSA) operates the shelter. Click here for the full story.
http://centralbeta.covchurch.org/uploads/va/mw/vamwRG7aWv9ak97DKIpS7w/JPUSA-Surprise-Guests.pdf
