ESTES PARK, CO (June 9, 2011) – Covenant Heights Camp and Retreat Center will dedicate their new pavilion as part of the annual Big Sunday celebration June 26. Festivities begin at 2 p.m.

The camp is less than 15 minutes from YMCA of the Rockies, where the Feast is being held June 25-28. The celebration is one of the recreation options available to Feast attendees.

Activities will include climbing wall, zip line, boating, archery, and fishing. The camp will offer its popular pig roast as well as roast beef. For food planning purposes, people intending to participate are asked to email or call the camp at (970) 586-2900.

NPU Ultimate Frisbee Team Places Well at Nationals

BUFFALO, NY – The North Park University D3 Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, the Lost Boys, tied for fifth in the recent national championships.

The team, captained by junior Grant Blankenship and senior Cameron Hodgkinson, came into the tournament seeded sixth of the 16 teams from across the nation. It was the Lost Boys’ second trip to the nationals since the team’s founding in 2001.

The Lost Boys gained national exposure earlier in the year with great early season tournament finishes and by being featured as the cover story on Sky’d magazine, which focuses on the sport.

The Lost Boys’ goal is not only to win the championship, but also to be a Christian witness. “This year the team made a point to pray after each game and invite the opposing team to join them,” said Coach Luke Johnson. The team chaplain is Eric Ek, a master of divinity student at North Park Theological Seminary.

Organist Retires after 53 Years of Ministry

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Bethlehem Covenant Church recently honored Priscilla Thoreen, who retired after 53 years as the church’s organist.

“Priscilla has left an incredible legacy of music and worship at Bethlehem Covenant Church,” said pastor Ryan Eikenbary-Barber.

The celebration brought together people who had been ministered to over the years. “She has been an immense gift to the worship life of the congregation,” said Phil Stenberg, who was the congregation’s pastor for 15 years. Also attending was former interim pastor Glen Wiberg.

The congregation presented her with a piece of art that included an old organ pipe and a book of letters, including many from previous pastors.

Missionaries Help Vaccinate Congolese Children Against Polio

BOGOSE-KONU, DR CONGO – Evangelical Covenant Church missionaries Pete and Cindy Ekstrand participated in the second phase of vaccinating children in this area for polio.

“The local health center had been publicizing this day well ahead of time, so a lot of mothers and small children showed up,” says Pete Ekstrand. Each child received one drop of the vaccine and some vitamin A.

So far, the campaign has vaccinated 1,660 of the 1,718 children in the area. Ekstrand said he was thrilled that they have been able to reach so many of the children.

“We learned that those who weren’t vaccinated were off at houses in fields in the forest areas,” Ekstrand said. “This time they will send teams out to all of these houses hoping to get closer to 100 percent coverage.”

The government embarked on the campaign after a polio outbreak early in the year. Marta Klein, a physician’s assistant serving at Karawa as a short-term missionary, also participated in the vaccinations.

10 Days of Global Prayer Material Available

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS – Members of Hillcrest Covenant Church have been participating in the 10 Days of Global Prayer that began June 2 (Ascension Day) and runs through this Sunday (Pentecost).

Together with several of the congregation’s partners in missions around the world, participants have been praying around the clock. Each day’s prayers are guided by a portion of the Lord’s Prayer.

Material used by the church can be downloaded through the denomination’s Ministry Idea Exchange and adapted by individual congregations.