ROCKFORD, IL (April 26, 2013) – The Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska recently honored Dick Nelson and Jim Ramsey with its True North Award for their decades of ministry.

“This new award is presented to Covenanters who live outside of Alaska and trek north to serve,” said Keith Hamilton, president of Alaska Christian College (ACC).

Dick Nelson and his wife, Rosie, were feted at their church, First Covenant Church in Rockford, Illinois, during a morning worship service and evening Salmon dinner on April 14.

“Dick and Rosie have spread their love and time throughout Alaska,” said Hamilton. “From Nome in 1972 to help build and oversee projects, including the renovation of KICY, Dick has been instrumental in keeping God’s facilities in great condition. He has also had the hand in planning and leading many of the renovation and building projects at Alaska Christian College.”

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell also sent a letter of appreciation to the couple. Dick Nelson responded to receiving the award by stating, “I lift it up to the glory of our God. It is all for him.”

The first True North Award was presented March 8 to the family of Jim Ramsey at his memorial service in Arvada, Colorado. He had died a week earlier at the age of 76 while serving in Nome, Alaska, on a two-week mission trip.

Ramsey, who attended Arvada Covenant Church, served Alaska Covenant Ministries for 10 years with his master electrician skills while helping construct a majority of the new buildings on the campus of ACC.

“Dick was project manager and Jim was head electrician on dozens of projects,” said Hamilton.

“Both of these men gave sacrificially to see Alaska Natives have beautiful and functional buildings in which to worship, to live, and to be educated in,” Hamilton said. “True North Awardees never move off their bearing – to be true to their Lord and their mission. These men accomplished both to set an example for us all of how to best live our retirement years for kingdom business.”