Covenant News

Rich Berry Tapped by Navigators for National Role

ATLANTA, GA (May 10, 2001) - Rich Berry, associate superintendent in the Southeast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, has been selected by The Navigators to serve as national director for African-American ministry.

Berry is well-known through the Covenant for his work in urban and African-American church planting. The Navigators is a parachurch organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In his new role, Berry will be responsible for developing discipleship materials and strategies for African-American churches, as well as staff recruitment. Berry's wife, Jane, will be involved in speaking and writing, as well as consulting with various boards and committees.

"God has been very good to us," Berry said. "We are praying the prayer of Jabez and believe that God will do great things for us. Jane and I are very excited about this and believe that this could provide a great deal of leverage for bringing about permanent change in the Black community."

Berry has a long-standing relationship with The Navigators, where he currently serves on the board of directors. He served on the Navigator's staff in campus ministries for 11 years prior to planting a church in Atlanta.

The Berrys will retain membership in the Covenant and expect that Covenant congregations will be among those that benefit from their new ministry efforts.

"Rich has made an enormous contribution to the momentum of the Covenant," said Gary Walter, executive director of Church Growth and Evangelism. "We are discussing ways to keep the collaboration going strong. His influence will continue."

Berry will assume his new position July 16.

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