* * * * * 

God our Provider 

by Deb Van Buren 

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 

 

-- I was excited to go to Alaska with this team of 29 from First Covenant. When we arrived and the staff told us our options, I knew right away I couldn't work on the sewing machine at all – I wanted to be outside. Little did I know that I would learn to use a grinding thing – an angle grinder - and a skill saw, and my husband would never allow me to use those tools at home.  

-- The staff had faith that Janell, Rebecca, Andy and I could do this project. Below is a picture of the side of the new gymnasium. It’s huge – it felt like miles long – and we had to measure, fit and apply steel siding to the entire thing. We didn’t know what a pitch was, how to run a pitching tool, or how to use a screw gun as the siding needed breathing room and the screws needed to be secure, but not too secure to allow for contraction and expansion. We were thankful for direction from our leaders, Bruce and Mateo - they were great trainers and encouragers! We worked hard on Monday, and I know God provided for us because I got out of bed on Tuesday. I took ibuprofen every day because I was physically spent. By Friday I was feeling pretty good.  

-- My job at Centra Care Hospice is Volunteer Services Manager, so I spend my days utilizing volunteers, but ACC put me to shame. They have a volunteer program that is second to none. We 29 volunteers each offered 36 hours at $34.47/hour (based on the 2025 Independent Sector value of volunteer time), which comes to $35,987 in cost savings for just that week. We sent materials for food and lodging, which increased our giving to $64,500. The college strives to host 10 weeks of volunteers each summer, providing $645,000 per year from volunteer efforts – amazing! 

-- Several members of the administration spoke to us on our first night. Jeff Siemers, the Executive Vice President, told us of their commitment to being debt-free and how the Lord has provided for their needs all these years. I was proud and grateful to be a part of such a fine organization. 

 

God our Provider, thank You for providing for our every need, from excellent training to physical endurance to money.

Help us to remember Your faithful provision and trust You always. -- Amen. 

* * * * * 

Bumps in the Road 

by Lois Dunne 

 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 

 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2  

​

--When First Covenant Church announced a work trip to Alaska Christian College, it provided the needed impetus to seriously think about a long-held dream of going to Inuvik, an authentic native village in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Canada had recently finished a road to Tuktoyaktuk, so we could travel 95 miles north of Inuvik and make it all the way to the Arctic Ocean.  

-- We traded in our 26-year-old camper for a 3-year-old 5th wheel camper that was 2 tons lighter and 3 feet shorter, and started our trip on June 3 - plenty of time to make the 3200-mile trek up to “Tuk” and also the 1200-mile journey back to Soldotna, Alaska, for the work week, starting Saturday, June 21, with our church family. We asked our fellow Alaska travelers to keep us in their prayers along the way.  

-- Everything went smoothly for several days of driving on the freeway and into Canada. Our first detour came at Dawson Creek, in British Columbia, on mile zero of the Alaska Highway, on June 9. There was a big fire north of there, closing the road. Should we wait for the fire to be put out, or take the detour that would have taken us 250 miles out of our way? When we finally made it back to the Alaska Highway on June 12, the fire was still raging. We had made the right choice. 

-- We entered the Yukon Territory and reached Dawson City on June 14. The next morning, we called a campground at Eagle Plains (225 miles away), and the manager said it was first-come, first-served, but they had plenty of room – and “it takes about five hours to get here.” So we fueled up and entered the Dempster Highway late in the morning. The farther we drove, the worse the road got -- gravel, washboards, frost heaves, rocks, and potholes were just some of the problems. Some hills have up to a 10 percent grade with sharp curves and often a pothole or bridge with uneven approaches at the bottom. It’s a haul road for big trucks, presenting a danger for rocks hitting the windshield, and every vehicle creates an enormous dust plume, sometimes obscuring visibility for several feet. Despite all this, the scenery was beautiful, with sweeping valleys, forests, streams, and mountains. Bob settled on 25 miles per hour to preserve our tires. It took us 10 hours to get to Eagle Plains, and Bob noticed that the truck was difficult to start the next morning. 

-- We started for Inuvik, another 226 miles away. We stopped at the Arctic Circle to take pictures, and ferried across two rivers. From this point on, the sun never set; it just rolled around the sky.  Sometimes, we kind of lost track of time and stayed up too late.

We arrived at Inuvik in the late afternoon on June 16, and found a campsite where we could keep the truck running all night. Bob just knew that if he shut off the vehicle, he would not be able to get it started again.  

-- In the morning, we unhooked the trailer and located a mechanic who found that our batteries were shot. We bought two new batteries which he replaced for us, and to our relief, the truck started just fine. We drove to Tuktoyaktuk (Tuk - another 95 miles on gravel), had lunch at Grandma’s Kitchen, took a picture of our truck under the Arctic Ocean sign, and headed back to Inuvik. The Arctic Ocean was a big ice floe by the shore, but we could see that it was free of ice in the distance. Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik are located on Tundra -- flat and barren land-- but we saw “pingos” when we got close to Tuk. They are mounds of earth with cores of ice, and we saw the second-tallest one on earth – 984 feet in diameter at its base, rising to a height of 161 feet (a 15-story building) - which may be a thousand years old and is the largest one in the world that is still growing. These pingos were very noticeable, protruding from the flat tundra. 

-- The next day, June 18, we started for Eagle Plains – 225 miles away. We ferried back across the two rivers and were on a relatively flat stretch of road when a tire on our camper blew with a big BANG. It was in shreds. We had a tire repair kit with us, but you can’t fix a shredded tire with just a patch. Bob changed the tire, and we drove the rest of the way to Eagle Plains on our spare tire, which was not in the best shape, and arrived late in the day. The next morning, we were grateful to find two tires of the right size for us. The mechanic doesn’t have a set inventory, and some people had to wait until the next day to have their tires shipped in, but God made sure our tires were there. By the time the tires were mounted, it was 2 p.m. We drove about 60 miles and camped at a beautiful rest area on a mountain pass, just before Seven Mile Hill. The sun went down that night – for about half an hour! It made it a little hard to sleep, but we were exhausted.  -- We had no more trouble on the Dempster Highway, but when we arrived in Dawson City on June 20, we found out a fire had closed the road we planned to take. The next morning, a hazard warning was still in effect, so instead of the “Top of the World” highway with a 195-mile trip, our detour cost us almost 500 miles extra. On the way, Bob checked the tires at lunch and noticed one low tire. He changed the tire – we were happy we could change it at a rest stop instead of on the road.  

-- On June 22 – Sunday evening – we arrived in Tok, Alaska, still 470 miles away from the College. We would now miss our first day of work. Bob didn’t want to miss any more work days, so we started as soon as we got our spare tire fixed and arrived at the College about midnight.  We missed a day of touring and one day of work at the College, but were able to drive to the Arctic Ocean on an adventure we will never forget. We are especially grateful for our church family and friends who kept us in their prayers. 

 

Thank You, mighty Creator God, for the beautiful earth You have made.

Thank You for answering the prayers of Your people and keeping us safe. Amen.

* * * * * 

Blessed to be a Blessing 

by Markus Mehr 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my

witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”   -- Acts 1:8 

-- In 2020, I was supposed to go to Ecuador on a mission trip. I had raised a lot of money, but the trip ended up being cancelled. God impressed upon me that I should use the money to go overseas through Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus tells his disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

--I prayed that the Lord would guide me to a ministry opportunity that would fit my skill set. The first site that popped up after that prayer was a sports camp called Summer Madness run by Salt Factory Sports in Northern Ireland. I have gone there every year since. There are approximately 2,000 to 5,000 students, aged 12 to 18 years, at the camp each year. Volunteers provide sports for the camp, help setting up and tearing down. We are to help them know the joy and light they see in us come from the love of Jesus. 

-- God was at work in the camp. We were able to pray for multiple students, and the speakers also had opportunities to pray over the camp. The Holy Spirit was clearly at work, and the most significant highlight of all was that, while last year we had 200 students make a decision for Christ, this year 700 students received the Lord. What a fantastic thing to witness! 

--I’ve been drawn to the calling of youth ministry for a while now, and just before this year’s trip to Northern Ireland, my friend, Reuben Lanctot, sent me a text about serving as the youth director at Harbor Church in Spicer. Maddie and I prayed throughout the time I was gone. At one point during camp, I was thinking, “I don’t think I will take this job.” At that moment, the song “Make Room” came on, and I felt like the Lord confirmed the call, telling me to “make room” for what He wants to do through me. 

-- As Maddie and I continued to pray during the month after my return, we committed to Harbor.  Last Sunday, First Covenant Church prayed and commissioned us to this ministry, and we go forward, blessed to be a blessing. 

Thank You, Lord, for calling us to serve You, empowering us to do so, and encouraging us

through other believers. Grant us to witness to Your goodness everywhere we go. --- Amen. 

* * * * * 

A Place to Grow and Serve 

by Gwen Johnson 

I thank my God every time I remember you.  Philippians 1:3 

​

-- Back in 1990, when Bob and I were new attenders of First Covenant Church, I worked at Rice Hospital. One day, I got a call from our associate pastor, Allan Holte. “When is your coffee break? I’d like to come and visit you.”  

-- We met in the Rice Hospital cafeteria and spent twenty minutes visiting. I can’t even remember what we talked about, but it meant so much to me that someone from the church reached out to me personally. I felt God’s love in that pastor’s visit. 

Serving through our church has been very meaningful for me. Whether being on the decorating committee and preparing the sanctuary for different seasons, serving a meal to the Wednesday night family education group, or teaching children, I have learned the meaning of “Give, and it will be given to you.” 

-- I loved teaching Awana at FCC for all its years, co-teaching Sunday School with Ione Ingebretson, and working with Diane Johnson and Eileen Twedt on the children’s musicals. Getting to know the kids and helping strengthen their faith through Scripture memory, activities, and talking about Jesus was a highlight of each week. They say that the best way to learn something is to teach it, and I indeed found that to be true as I grew in my faith through teaching the children. 

-- For many years, Barb Buer led a weekly women’s Bible study that met at 7 a.m. It was such a great way to start the day that I would go to work at 6, check out, and attend the Bible study and then go back to work!  I have also appreciated other studies, including an Amazing Collection Study and, most recently, Sherilyn Honken’s Monday afternoon studies. 

-- During the past two years, as our granddaughter Ava grew ill and eventually passed on, FCC helped us greatly through Pastor Chris’ visits to our home, prayers by the leadership and members, and special Lenten Prayer nights.  God has used First Covenant Church in writing my story, and I’m forever grateful. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the way You have used Your body at First Covenant Church to bless, serve ,

and help people grow. May we continue to build Your kingdom here. Amen. 

​

* * * * * 

Assurance Amid Doubt 

by Stephanie Carlson  

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 

​

 -- I clicked “send’ and thought, “There’s no turning back now!” It was the Friday before the final Trailblazers (grades 3-5) at Lake Beauty Bible Camp. I had agreed to be the speaker, giving six talks throughout the week. Jodi Bertrand, camp program director, needed my slides by Friday. I had spent the last two months preparing the talks and slides for each one. Now I felt sure that all six talks were doomed to fail. I was ready to scrap them all - convinced they weren’t engaging enough; the wrong topics, confusing, you name it, I felt it! 

 -- At our Sunday morning worship service, as our guest preacher, Mike McCain, began his sermon, I couldn’t believe my ears. One by one, he made the points that I had planned to make in my mini-sermons! Relief and joy filled my heart as I whispered, “Thank you, Lord, for this confirmation that I’m on the right track.” 

-- I’m happy to share that the Lord honored the time and heart I poured into those messages. As I committed each talk to Him, He established the path, bringing clarity, confidence, and connection with the kids that only He could orchestrate. The object lessons were well received, and the chapel sessions stayed lively and focused. It was a joy to watch God take what I feared was inadequate and use it for His good purposes. 

Lord, thank You for confirming Your presence and guidance when doubt clouds our hearts.

Strengthen our trust in You, even when we can’t yet see the fruit of our obedience. Amen. 

* * * * * 

Help from the People of God 

by Diane and David Frey 

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

    

-- We received a call from Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 7 a.m., and the voice on the other end said, "Diane, Mom isn’t doing well; can you come home?” Diane’s mother, Hilda, was 102 years old and sharp as a tack, but she had just suffered a stroke, and it looked like her time was near.  

 -- We desperately wanted to be at Mom's side, but we lived in Minnesota. How could we get there? We had become friends with Bill Fry, a local church member, teasing each other over the “misspelling” of our last names. Bill knew our family lived in Indiana and had told us, “I’m a private pilot. If you ever need me, please call.” Remembering this, we called Bill at 7:30 a.m. and sure enough, he said, “Meet me at the airport at 9.” We threw some things into a suitcase, met him at the hangar, and by noon, we were in Fort Wayne. Bill waited with us until someone came to pick us up and insisted that we only pay for his fuel, not anything else.    

 -- When we arrived, the hospital was on Covid lockdown and visitation was severely restricted.  Unfortunately, a niece had put her name down for Hilda, so Diane couldn’t even get in to see her mother! This news was truly a devastating blow. Years earlier, Hilda had been a nurse at this very hospital, assigned to work the very room she was in. Diane had also been a nurse at this same hospital, assigned to the emergency room.  Both Hilda and Diane were longtime family friends with Patty, who stepped in when she learned about Hilda's situation. Patty still worked in hospital administration and was able to relax the rules for Hilda's family. We were permitted to discreetly move around, being quiet and careful to keep her door closed so Hilda had the comfort of her entire family as she passed away. 

 -- We were deeply grateful to God and His people for providing for our family during this difficult yet peaceful time, as Hilda went to be with her Savior. 

 

God of all comfort, thank you for sending your people to bring us your comfort in hard times. Please help us to pass it on. Amen.

​

* * * * * 

A Great Teacher 

by Jenna Van Buren 

Editor’s Note: Jenna Van Buren died in a car accident in 2009.

This story, written in her senior portfolio, and is shared with her family’s permission. 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 

 

-- My youth pastor, Dave Ostercamp, has been one of the biggest role models in my life. He has taught me so much about myself, my life, and my relationship with God. 

-- A couple of years ago, Dave showed me that I needed to change, not because I was caught up in bad or mischievous things, but because I was stuck in a comfort zone with my family, friends, and church. I am not a shy person, but I wasn’t reaching out to serve others outside of my bubble. I was like a small child, being cared for by my family and friends, and still taking baby steps to become the person God intended me to be. It was time to walk without holding someone’s hand. 

-- Dave had me start small, with day trips to the Cities to serve at a homeless shelter or food shelf. I enjoyed every moment. Eventually, he suggested that I join the church’s mission trip to Ecuador. I would step out on a limb, not only sharing my faith and serving others, but also leaving my home and going to a completely different environment. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I came back a whole new person. 

-- I grew in patience in Ecuador. First, Dave encouraged me to speak with the people in spite of my very poor Spanish abilities. I don’t think they understood what I was trying to communicate at all, but it was good for me to try, and they appreciated it. Next, Dave put me in a group working with children. Previously, I didn’t have the tolerance to put up with kids, but I hesitantly agreed to do it. It was so amazing; they clung to me and in a short time, I fell in love with them all. 

-- I learned to be humble and willing to serve. Sometimes the food we were given or our projects were gross, but I learned not to react with disgust or side comments. And the friends I made are remarkable. Seeing how content they are even when their circumstances are much harsher than mine probably will ever be is inspirational. I’ve learned not to take anything for granted.  

-- I’m so grateful that Dave has taken me under his wing and taught me so much about myself and God.  

 

Thank You, God, for the people you send into our lives to help us grow.   Grant that we may help others to grow as well. Amen. 

 

* * * * * 

God Owns it All 

by Paul Peterson 

(Editor’s Note: Paul Peterson compiled a history book for the 125th 

anniversary of First Covenant Church in 2007. This story is from that book.) 

The earth is the Lord’s & everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1 

 

A former pastor of First Covenant remembered Leo Rosland’s story. Leo was a member of First Covenant Church and the last of three brothers who still lived on the family farm southwest of Willmar. They had farmed successfully and significantly increased their acreage. When the pastor drove onto the property to visit Leo, he saw what must have once been the showpiece of the area. He surveyed white buildings, a groomed lawn, and a small, humble home. He and Leo sat in the kitchen, and Leo shared the years of progress he had experienced: from horses to tractors, from crop rotation to intensified farming. At the end of their discussion, Leo remarked, “Pastor, God has given all of this to us, and when we are gone, He is going to get it all back.” Leo had worked with previous FCC pastors in his estate planning. After Leo's passing, the church inherited a substantial amount of property from the Roslund Estate. After all of it was sold, Leo’s farm funded significant ministry to people in the Willmar area and beyond. God did indeed “get it all back.” 

Creator God, You made this world and You sustain it. Help us to remember that everything we have is Yours and to use it for Your glory and Your purposes. Amen.