Our Staff
Kurt Carlson
Lead Pastor
Kurt was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has directed Young Life ministries in Washington and Oregon and served Covenant Churches in Illinois, Oregon, and Washington. He was the Director of Church Planting for the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church until 2016 and was called to NWCC in January 2017. Kurt is married and has two adult children.
Email Kurt: kurt@nwcov.com
Phone: (503) 314-3826
Pete Anderson
Associate Pastor of community outreach
Pete got his start in ministry working at Portage Lake Bible camp during his summers in College. He started off as a counselor and skate park director and eventually ended up as their Summer program director. After his time at camp he attended North Park Seminary where he received his M.Div in 2013. He took his first call as Associate Pastor to Youth in Yelm, Washington. His most recent position before NWCC was as Associate Pastor at Immanuelskyrkan in Stockholm, Sweden. He began as Pastor of Community Outreach in August 2021.
Pete is excited about the opportunity to reach out to the surrounding community with the love of Jesus. Everyone has a next step with Jesus, and Pete is excited about helping people identify what their next step might be. During the week you might find Pete wrestling his kids, playing online chess, doing magic tricks, riding his unicycle, out at a disc golf course, or maybe enjoying a nice cup of coffee with some good friends.
Email Pete: pete@nwcov.com
Phone: (847) 309-1388
Drew edstrom
Director of student ministries
Drew was born and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He attended North Park University, where he acquired his Bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry Studies. Throughout his time in college, Drew served as an intern at Hinsdale Covenant Church and Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, Michigan. Drew was called to Northwest Covenant in September 2017.
Email Drew: drew@nwcov.com
Phone: (847) 814-0045
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION
Daun was born and raised in Mt. Prospect. She attended North Park University and worked for a major oil company for 20 years before coming back to Northwest as the Director of Children and Family Ministries in 1995. Daun became the Director of Administration and Communication in 2018.
Email Daun: daun@nwcov.com
Office Phone: (847) 255-4671
NATE WERLING
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH DIRECTOR + TECH DIRECTOR
Nate is originally from Leo, Indiana. He got started in youth ministry while interning here at Northwest Covenant Church while attending North Park University, where he worked on the Media Services team and graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. Before coming back to Northwest Covenant in September 2021, Nate was an intern at Covenant Point Bible Camp. Nate is very excited and thankful to have the opportunity to walk through life with the youth and families of Northwest Covenant Church.
Email Nate: nate@nwcov.com
Phone: (260) 433-6854
Mike Nelson
Director of Music
Mike majored in violin performance at North Park University. At North Park he was concertmaster of the orchestra, and was a member of the University Choir. Mike has served as Director of Music at Glenview Covenant Church, Assistant Music Director at Winnetka Covenant Church and Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. He is also a freelance violinist and teaches violin. Mike lives in Palatine with his wife Amy and their two children.
Email Mike: MIKENELSON71@COMCAST.NET
Office Phone: (847) 255-4671
