Gary Walter, executive minister of the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), was guest speaker at the Conference Ministerium meeting and led a workshop entitled "Demystifying Church Planting." Walter also spoke at Friday's conference banquet, which was attended by 200 people.

Miericke presented two new congregations to the conference and attendees welcomed another church, Faith Christian Center of Miami, into the fold on Friday. Faith Christian Center (a congregation with a worship attendance of more than 300) has been approved by the conference for membership, pending approval at the June ECC Annual Meeting in Rosemont, Illinois.

Associate Supt. Robert Owens preached at Thursday night's opening worship session. A worship band of the Central Carolina Community Covenant Church of Asheboro, North Carolina, participated in the Friday evening worship service.

"Bob Tenglin and the staff at Covenant Village of Florida did an outstanding job in hosting us," said Miericke after the annual meeting. "The food was great, the fellowship sweet and the inspiration profound. Two thirds of our churches were represented and the Ministerium meetings were very well attended."

Tenglin and Cathy Neal were elected to the conference Executive Board, replacing Jim Black and previous chair Penny Barham. Two others, Dave Wilson and Mary Ankrom, were re-elected to second terms. The conference budget was also approved.

In addition to Walter's seminar, four other workshops were presented, including:

• "Intentionally Teaching God's Word" by Millie Lungren, director of Covenant Resource Center
• "Making Churches Safer" by Steve Burger, director of Children and Family Ministries in the Department of Christian Formation
• "The Creative Use of Drama in Worship" by pastor Doug Oliver of Hope Community Covenant Church in Boynton Beach, Florida
• "Defining a Vision for Youth Ministry in the Local Church" by youth pastor Brian Alnes of Faith Covenant Church in St. Petersburg, Florida