Freedholm and his wife, Rlou, greeted scores of guests during the afternoon festivities at Hamming Hall on the campus of North Park University, including a wide array of Covenant pastors, local church leaders, denominational leaders and lots of friends from other Covenant conferences. Guests included a large number of pastors representing ethnic ministries, which is especially significant as Freedholm is known for his efforts to promote ethnic diversity in all areas of the conference and the church at large.
Freedholm served 21 years in pastoral ministry before taking on a conference leadership role – one that has continued another 21 years, observed emcee Douglas Johnson, pastor of North Park Covenant Church and chair of the Central Conference Executive Board.
“You put your imprint on this denomination,” said ECC President Glenn Palmberg in his opening remarks, recalling that it was Freedholm who had laid hands on Palmberg at the time of the president’s ordination. “You have been a leader for diversity and women in ministry, and you have advocated for urban ministry,” the president continued. “The Central Conference has led the denomination in all these areas.” Describing Freedholm as a “pastor to pastors,” Palmberg also paid tribute to Freedholm’s noted preaching skills.
Palmberg’s words were echoed by Don Holmertz, chair of the Central Conference Ministerial Association and pastor of Valley Evangelical Covenant Church in Stillman Valley, Illinois. “He cared for us pastors in difficult situations,” Holmertz said, praising Freedholm’s devotion to pastoral care as well as his advocacy for urban and ethnic ministries. “He comforted, cajoled and confronted. He loved the ministers.” Recalling one personal memory of Freedholm presiding at a communion table, Holmertz said, “Being in a congregation is where Herb’s heart is at.”
Nurturing and mentoring staff was another hallmark of Freedholm’s conference ministry, observed Johnson, a trait commended by Associate Supt. Jolene Bergstrom Carlson who characterized the superintendent as an effective staff leader with “a warm and supportive presence” and as “gentle, kind and caring with a loving heart – it was refreshing to enter into his presence.” Other characteristics drawing praise are his “patience and grace, someone open to new ideas, inclusive” and someone seeking justice, exemplifying “a broad, and yet a very specific manifestation of Christ.”
Another conference staff member, Jerome Nelson, who serves as director of church and society ministries, recalled a conversation with Freedholm when Nelson began his conference position. Nelson said Freedholm asked him to “be up front” if Freedholm should say anything considered thoughtless or hurtful with respect to ethnic ministries. “Herb never said anything insensitive,” Nelson said, asking the audience at the reception to look around and note the “picture of diversity in this room” as a way of emphasizing the importance of Freedholm’s work in advocating for ethnic and racial diversity within the conference.
A number of gifts were presented to the couple, including one from Jae Koo, pastor of Glenview Korean Covenant Church on behalf of all Covenant Korean pastors. Sandi Vander Kooi, secretary of the conference executive board, presented a Book of Thanksgiving (letters and notes received from pastors and friends from throughout the denomination). Conference Chair Johnson noted that other gifts given to the Freedholms are being directed to the Herb and Rlou Freedholm Diversity Scholarship at North Park Theological Seminary.
Obviously moved by the many words of praise and gifts of appreciation, Freedholm with characteristic humility said, “This conference has been at the center of my heart for years.” Recalling that his grandparents were members of Ravenswood Covenant Church and that about 30 years of his ministry has been in the Central Conference, he thanked the conference staff, conference executive board, committees and commissions for their support and work. He made special mention of his long friendship with retired Conference Associate Supt. Craig Anderson and their common commitment to diversity, women in ministry and evangelism (the two served together for 14 years).
“I thank the churches,” he continued. “I love the church. We have the best group of pastors anywhere. I have been blessed by each one of you. I rejoice in the future of this conference.”
(Editor’s note: Appreciation is expressed to Beth Fredrickson, editor of the Central Conference Covenanter, for her contributions to this story.)
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
