Covenant News

New Oklahoma Church Targeting Younger Group

NORMAN, OK (September 24, 2001) - A new Covenant church in Norman attracted 548 individuals to its initial preview worship service, filling a local performing theater and introducing eight people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in the process.

The church, which will be named Journey Covenant Church, has scheduled its next preview service for October 14, according to pastor Clark Mitchell. The congregation hopes to start weekly services no later than January.

Mitchell says he is thankful for a devoted core group of people who worked hard to make the preview service special. "To pull off the service, we had more than 100 people helping out all weekend," Mitchell said. "And they poured countless hours into this - from video presentation, to multimedia, to having a top-notch band from Norman involved."

Contemporary worship is a cornerstone of the new church, which hopes in particular to reach those age 35 and younger. Ministry for young families and college students will be emphasized, with the University of Oklahoma a prime focus. Mitchell said that the more than half of the 96,000 people living year-round in Norman are age 32 and under. "At our first service, the average age of the congregation was 27, so we hit our target," he said.

Mitchell, who was an associate pastor at Metro Church/Life Covenant Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, said that some people have come from both campuses of Life Covenant (which merged with Metro Church in January). Mitchell worked with Life Covenant pastor Craig Groeschel for eight months before deciding to start a new church.

"There is no way we could do this without the support and the encouragement of Craig and Life Covenant," said Mitchell. "He's been incredible - I've never worked with a more supportive pastor."

For more information about the church, call Mitchell 405-217-8700. To view photos of the initial preview service, visit the church website at www.journeyonline.tv.

Printable version of this page.