“She was a loyal Covenanter,” says Don Lundquist, pastor to seniors at First Covenant, but she was little known beyond her local congregation. So Covenant leaders were surprised when they learned of a “very generous gift” that Nelson, who died late last year, made to the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Now denominational leaders want other Covenanters to know of Nelson’s passion for God and his people as a way of expressing their appreciation, says Byron Amundsen, coordinator of missionary services for the Department of World Mission. Without being specific on the amount, he adds, “This gift will significantly benefit the Departments of World Mission, Women Ministries, and Church Growth and Evangelism.”
She left no immediate survivors, which also meant, “There’s no one who we can say thank you to. We want to celebrate her life and thank God for her faithfulness,” Amundsen says.
The people who worshiped alongside Nelson knew of her work. She had taught Sunday school to children and youth, says Dan Thompson, senior pastor of First Covenant. “She also was involved with the women’s groups.”
“Dorothy was feisty,” says Thompson, adding her business experience may have contributed to that part of her personality. Nelson and her sister inherited their father’s hardware store when they were young. Men would come into the store wondering what women could know about hardware. “She probably knew more than they did.”
“She was a kick to talk to,” Thompson says. “She always had a good sense of humor.”
Nelson lived at Covenant Village of Golden Valley, Minnesota, at the time of her death. Her gift was handled through the Covenant Trust Company, which distributed $17 million to Covenant camps, conferences and churches in 2005.
“These gifts have opened new doors for creative ministry opportunities, sustained important ministries and extended God’s care into the lives of thousands,” says Donn Engebretson, Covenant executive vice-president. “This woman was someone completely unknown to the leadership of the Covenant, which is a powerful reminder of how our God works.”
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
