Sinew extra edition: annual meeting 2014 report

April 2014

Extra Edition 2014 ECCAK Annual Meeting Report General Council Approves Process to Pursue Becoming ECC Conference One central discussion at the annual meeting was the movement that the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has initiated toward ECCAK becoming an official conference of the ECC. In 1972 ECCAK, was established as the work of the Covenant in Alaska was transferred from World Missions ministry to Home Mission (now Church Growth & Evangelism).

This shift would mark ECCAK being given the same standing as the other ten conferences of the ECC. “We believe it is appropriate that Alaskans govern their own affairs – those closest to ministry should be making decisions about the ministry,” said Dick Lucco, executive director of ministry development.

“This is a momentous time in the journey of Alaska Covenant Ministries,” said Curtis Ivanoff. “Let us be in concerted prayer together for God’s wisdom and leading as we follow in faith this direction for ECCAK ministries.”

The year-long process will include:  ECCAK church members reading and engaging in the process by reviewing the proposed constitution and bylaws prior to the 2015 ECCAK annual meeting  2015 ECCAK annual meeting votes on the new constitution in Elim, AK  The ECC Executive Board votes on the proposal at the 2015 ECC annual meeting A copy of the proposed constitution can be found on the ECCAK website at www.eccak.org and comments can be sent to constitution@eccak.org.

Ralph and Gert Fondell Honored with Daniel Savetilik, Sr. Lay Ministry Award

Dick Lucco of the ECC shares with the annual meeting the process ECCAK will pursue in the next year toward becoming a conference.

Ralph and Gert Fondell accept the Daniel Savetilik, Sr., award at the Saturday meeting.

Ralph and Gert Fondell of Eagle River Community Covenant Church (CCC) were honored with the Daniel Savetilik award during the annual meeting for their long term contribution to ECCAK ministries as volunteers.

The intent of this award is to annually recognize local Covenant lay persons who have made significant contribution to ministry in Alaska over many years of faithful service. The award is named after Daniel Savetilik, Sr. a faithful leader and servant for many years in the Shaktoolik Covenant Church.

The nomination form submitted by the Community Covenant Church listed several areas where the Fondells have been involved.

Ralph and Gert first ministered in Alaska in 1959 with KICY in Nome as full-time missionaries. They were part of the original church plant group for CCC. For many years, Ralph has been a greeter, offering counter, and has given input for community care needs.

Gert has been involved with a women’s Bible study that she started years ago and has been a Sunday school teacher. They have also been involved in the prayer team for many years.

Field Director Curtis Ivanoff recounted how Ralph was his first visitor when he moved into the ECCAK office and prayed for Curtis. With tears and heartfelt appreciation, Curtis said, “I want to be like them.”

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:16

Diane Brask, key-note speaker and workshop leader, led the conference with powerful stories of God’s work among unreached people groups around the world and challenged us to believe God for great works in and through us. She also led a 2-day workshop on story-telling for effectively passing on Bible stories for varied contexts. Diane serves with the International Ministerium Fellowship. Following the conference, Diane travelled with Ken and Sandy Moore of C3 Fairbanks to share with the villages of Shageluk, Shaktoolik and Unalakleet.

Delegates Elect Four General Council Members Road System 3-year term: Curt Lindner, Eagle River Curtis Lindner is a fifteen-year member of Eagle River Community Covenant Church. He serves as a leadership member for building and maintenance ministry team, is the finance secretary, and leads a men’s small group. Curt is a retired business manager. He is married and has one adult son and one grandchild.

ka over 20 years, 16 of those in Bethel. She has been involved at the Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church in various ministries and activities including Children’s Sunday School classes, Children’s Church, ladies Bible studies, small groups, AWANAs, and the worship team. She is the mom of three children, Lauren – 21, Mitchell – 18, and Ethan – 16.

Norton Sound 2 year-term (to complete term previously held by Donna Erickson of Unalakleet): Adam London, Unalakleet

Adam and his family serve in Unalakleet. He and his wife, Shirleen, have 3 children. Adam has been a part-time Covenant Youth of Alaska staff Road System 3 year-term: member for 5 years and has Betty Jackson, Shaktoolik served with the Covenant Church in Unalakleet Betty has served one term on going on 4 years, working mainly with the YK Delta 3 year-term: the general council. Betty was youth, but also with the adult minisLanette Forbes, Bethel born at Yakutat and raised in tries.

Adam and Shirleen have recently begun Lanette has served one term on Shaktoolik by her grandparents the general council. She grew up Edward and Gertrude Sagoon- leading the Christian Youth in Action children’s ministry as well. Adam had previously in Oklahoma and came to Christ ick. She is married to Lynn served as the associate director of Covenant at 8 years of age. She attended Jackson (37 years). They have four girls and college at Southeastern Oklaho- adopted their grandson Matthew. They have 11 Bible Camp, as well as serving at Alaska Christian College, Amundsen Educational Center, ma State University, earning a grand children with one on the way. She curand Nome Covenant Church. Adam is a graddegree in Business Managerently works at the Shaktoolik School as an ment. While in college, she met and married Educational Aid. She confesses, “ Jesus is my uate of Alaska Christian College (‘02), North Park University (‘04), and North Park TheologHugh (current pastor in Bethel) and soon personal Savior and I pray I will do what He ical Seminary (‘12). moved to Alaska. She has been in Alaswants me to do as His servant.”

The general council meets three times a year and is vested with the administration of ECCAK. Its members are elected by and responsible to the official meetings of ECCAK. The General Council consists of nine elected members as well as the ECCAK field director and the Executive Secretary of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism.