Bergquist will have completed 15 years of service to Bethany Covenant, notes Jim Thomforde, chair of the Leadership Team, but will have served more than four decades in ministry to numerous local congregations, as well as conference and denominational boards.
A celebratory event will take place June 6-8, and as part of that event, the planning team is requesting letters from Bergquist’s friends and ministry colleagues that can be incorporated into a special book to be presented to him.
“We’re interested in hearing stories about Bob and receiving photographs that can be shared, says another of the planners, Jonathan Wyman. Material can be emailed to the attention of Beverly Doherty, administrative assistant, at bev@bethanycovenant.com.
Bergquist completed his pastoral internship (1966-1968) at Winnetka Covenant Church in Wilmette, Illinois. He served three congregations before coming to Bedford in 1993, including: Grace Covenant Church in Stambaugh, Michigan (1968-1972); First Covenant Church in Tacoma, Washington (1972-1985); and First Covenant Church in Omaha, Nebraska (1985-1993).
He was chair of the North Pacific Conference (Washington-Oregon-Idaho-Montana) for four years and served the denomination in several capacities, including Board of the Ordered Ministry, North Park College (now university) Board of Directors, and the former Board of Covenant Publications (chair for two years) – now Covenant Communications.
He also served on the Committees of Ministerial Standing (licensing and ordaining of pastors) in the North Pacific Conference, Midwest Conference, and East Coast Conference, and has served as “District Dean” (New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine) since 1995.
“Pastor Bob has been an important part of the development of this church,” says Thomforde. “We look forward to seeing what God will do through him in the coming years, and celebrate his work with us.”
Minister of Christian Formation Chris Pappenfus echoed those sentiments. “I count it one of God’s greatest provisions of grace in my life to have had the privilege of serving alongside Bob for the past 10 years,” Pappenfus says. “As a staff member laboring in common ministry, the highest compliment I can pay to Bob is to affirm the fact that he has always sought to serve as my pastor, never my boss.”
Bergquist and his wife, Judy, plan to remain in the New England area assisting churches in transition.
To learn more about Bethany Covenant, its ministries, and plans for the June 2008 celebration, please visit the church website or call the church office staff at 603-472-5545.
