Covenant News - Local Church Newsletters Report Considerable Activity

Covenant News

Local Church Newsletters Report Considerable Activity

CHICAGO, IL (June 27, 2003) - Living Springs Covenant Church of Brandon, South Dakota, and all of the Christian churches in the area joined together in an outreach to every residence in the area this spring, a project that began with meetings among pastors two years ago.

Congregations from Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God and Methodist churches were among those canvassing homes and apartments within the communities of Brandon and Valley Springs. The outreach cost $17,000 and included handing out 2,800 Jesus videos and NIV New Testaments - the needed funds were raised within a two-week period. Churches had met individually and corporately to pray for the outreach before and on the day of the event.

Along with the mass distribution of the Good News to area residences, local churches learned more about what each church is doing in the community. People from different churches went out in teams of two with the goal of delivering 25 care packages (including a New Testament, a video and an invitation to join a local church for upcoming Easter worship services. Pastors had already been acquainted with each other as they had met for nearly two years together on a regular basis.

"As the pastors and their churches prayed about the project, it was clear that this was a direction that God was leading," said Living Springs Covenant pastor Mike Brown. "We heard of God working many miracles as He challenged churches to support this outreach effort. Many of those who felt nudged by God to participate let us know they had never done anything like this before.

"Most of the homes gladly received the gift and we often heard the kids popping the video into the VCR before we were even away from the door," Brown continued. "Lots of seeds were planted that day. We are planning a follow-up visit to each home in September to ask some questions and follow-up with those who have asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. We anticipate that this will be the first of many opportunities for all of us to come together to bring the Good News to the folks in our communities."

For more information about the work of Living Springs Covenant Church, call Brown at 605-582-7420 or email him at: pastormike@alliancecom.net.

Following is additional information on local Covenant church ministries gleaned from the more than 220 local church newsletters received each month by the Department of Communication, organized by conference or region:

CENTRAL

Belvidere, Illinois: The Evangelical Covenant Church of Belvidere is sending a mission team of 16 students and adults to southern Texas and Mexico for a project June 25-July 6. The team will help a few Covenant congregations in La Villa, Texas, along with congregations in Reynosa, Mexico. Projects included Vacation Bible School, worship leading and helping with painting and building maintenance.
Evanston, Illinois: David and Judy Dolan, coordinators for Chinese ministries for Covenant World Mission, recently visited the Chinese Cross-cultural Fellowship (CCCF) that meets in the Evangelical Covenant Church of Evanston. David shared his testimony in Mandarin during a Sunday school hour and participated in a Friday night Chinese fellowship group. Said the Dolans in a June prayer letter, "New Chinese students continue to attend and several are preparing to be baptized. Though the church is small, God has been using the church members in remarkable ways to minister to Chinese graduate students attending Northwestern University and other schools in the Chicago area. Ben Gong, who started this work, has one more year of seminary (at Chicago's North Park Theological Seminary). Pray that God would show Ben and (wife) Liling where He wants them to serve in the future."
Oak Lawn, Illinois: Trinity Covenant Church's pastor emeritus Evan Goranson Sr. was honored in during a June 15 coffee hour for 50 years in ministry.
Rockford, Illinois: Bethesda Covenant Church's Melissa Sengkeo Oulavong was conferred the degree of Juris Doctor in May from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: The largest number of women ever registered for the Hispanic Women's Retreat at Covenant Harbor, May 30 - June 1. More than 130 people, including 100 women and 35 children, were part of the event. All six Hispanic churches in the Chicago area were represented. Jerry Reed, professor at North Park Theological Seminary, spoke on discipleship within the theme "In His Steps." Among other activities, the women enjoyed a "Night of Parables" with each church presenting a parable from the New Testament.

EAST COAST

Berlin, Connecticut: On June 8, Bethany Covenant Church celebrated a community worship service and groundbreaking ceremony as 425 people were in attendance. Following the groundbreaking, attendees enjoyed a chicken barbecue that raised $1,400 for the 28 teens and counselors headed to CHIC2K3 in Tennessee next month.
Manchester, Connecticut: Karen Cupit of Trinity Covenant Church has written a book entitled "Chosen and Loved - Life as a Child of God" through New Life Publications and Master Design Ministries. Karen and her husband, Tom, have chosen to serve with Campus Crusade for Christ at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, after being trained in Annapolis, Maryland, this summer. Tom is 1993 USMA graduate and Karen served as an Army officer as well. They have two children.
Waltham, Massachusetts: Covenant Congregational Church parishioner Rosalind Wyman graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell with the Chancellor's Award, the highest honor the school gives for leadership and student service. Wyman served three years as resident hall council president, was a member of the Leadership Advisory Council, vice president of the university medical service and photo editor of the school newspaper, among other things. She also volunteered time as a case reviewer for the Department of Social Services and was a drill tech for a local drum corps. Wyman graduated cum laude with a degree in nursing and will take her boards in July in order to become a registered nurse. Wyman wasn't the only high honors college graduate who has church connections. Christy Boures graduated cum laude from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, earning a Bachelor of Arts in music. She is the head women's counselor at Camp Squanto at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center, a Covenant camp in New Hampshire. Two others were mentioned in the church's recent newsletter. Jeff Luke played trumpet in the orchestra for the Boston Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet recently and continues to play occasionally for the Boston Symphony and the Pops. Meanwhile, Emily Richard had a role in Dana Hall and Belmont Hill's performance of Sweet Charity.
West Peabody, Massachusetts: Community Covenant Church parishioner was lauded in her church newsletter for making 14 new robes and reversible stoles, along with six other stoles to go with other robes, for the children's choir. Meanwhile, fellow parishioner Barbara Osterfield was one of 13 teachers at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School honored for 20 or more years of service at a recent dinner. And Jennifer Hokanson was awarded the Jonathan Edwards Scholarship from Gordon Conwell for classes next year.

ECCAK

Nome, Alaska: Nome Covenant Church, under pastor Harvey Fiskeaux, attracted 300 to its Easter service by taking church to the streets - a local bingo hall over the town's Board of Trade Saloon. The idea went over well as attendance quadrupled the church's average worship attendance on a regular Sunday.
Soldotna, Alaska: Alaska Christian College received the good news that Glen and Millie Mehrkens of First Covenant Church, Red Wing, Minnesota, will serve the college as volunteers during the next 12 months. Glen, who was the church's evangelism committee chair, will be ACC's facilities maintenance director. Millie will work on the ACC office staff.

GREAT LAKES

Jamestown, New York: Katelyn Illingworth, Melissa Illingworth and Rachel Armeli were recently honored by the local Department of Youth Services for significant contributions. Katelyn has volunteered for five different community agencies. Melissa and Rachel have volunteered more than 100 hours at "Love Advantage," an after school program at Love School.

MIDSOUTH

Norman, Oklahoma: Journey Church, a new church plant that has become one of the fastest growing congregations in the Covenant, was featured in a recent edition of Vision Magazine. Articles highlight how the church has used multimedia to impact its ministry and energize worship services, among other things. Journey Church began its ministry under pastor Clark Mitchell in 2001, drawing 450 to its initial worship service. According to the Vision article, average worship attendance is nearing 2,000. The congregation meets in a building that once housed a Wal-Mart outlet. More about the Journey Church can be found at: www.journeyonline.tv.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Westmoore Community Church is sending 11 families on a mission trip July 12-19 to minister to Templo Sinai in Valle Hermosa, Mexico. The team will lead a Vacation Bible School that has doubled since Westmoore mission teams began sending groups in 1998. More than 120 were part of last year's VBS. A silent auction and the sales of candy bars will help defray costs for the trip.

NORTH PACIFIC

Portland, Oregon: First Covenant Church's Arnold Fredrickson received the Hall of Fame Award from Modernfold, the company he works for, at the Moderfold annual meeting in Las Vegas. He is only the fourth person to receive the award. The glass plaque he received reads (according to a recent church newsletter): "In appreciation of your leadership, extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm; you not only identified great opportunities, you found the way to take us there. Our entire company is grateful and will always remember your achievements."
Salem, Oregon: Trinity Covenant Church's Janet Olson was named Teacher of the Year in the Woodburn School District and received an award of $1,000 for her efforts.

NORTHWEST

New Brighton, Minnesota: Salem Covenant Church honored Glen Wiberg, its former pastor, on June 15 as they celebrated 50 years of ministry since he was ordained. Two of Glen's former confirmands, now ordained Covenant pastors, Jim Erickson and Brad Shannon, sent tributes to the effectiveness of Glen's ministry in their lives. David Kersten, executive minister of the Department of the Ordered Ministry, read a personal greeting from President Glenn Palmberg and gave his own greeting and blessing.
North Mankato, Minnesota: Mildred Sandell of the Evangelical Covenant Church of North Mankato was recently honored with others by the Brown County Historical Society for her past work as a one-room schoolhouse teacher and received a Certificate of Recognition and a crystal apple. Sandell enrolled in Mankato Teacher's College for a two-year program. She worked in a one-room schoolhouse for three years.

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST

Sunnyvale, California: Six people from Great Exchange Covenant Church are headed to Japan in late July to learn about culture and ministry. The group will assist local churches with an annual English camp and in making repairs to the Odawara Christian Center. Covenant missionary John Martin, who is serving at Odawara Christian Center, asks for prayer as the team prepares and as John and wife Etsuko and others prepare for the group from Northern California.

SOUTHEAST

Deland, Florida: Covenant Community Church, a new church plant in central Florida, has had weekly Sunday services since April 13 with an average of about 100 in worship, said pastor David Shaw. The church has moved its worship location from a middle school to a nearby high school. A grand opening scheduled for sometime in September. A July 6 catered brunch is being planned and three home groups and 10 ministry teams have proven to be the main place for fellowship and connection. The church is seeking land and has a possible site, although no bid has been given to the current landowner. If the sale goes through, a Covenant Enabling Residence facility - a group home for disabled adults - is being planned for service adjacent to the church.

ELSEWHERE

La Coruna, Spain: Pastor Roberto Reed reported that there are 14 new members who have become part of a new church plant. He asks for prayer as leadership attempts to develop six cell groups that will bolster discipleship and ministry there.

To learn more about activities throughout the Evangelical Covenant Church, regularly visit the denominational website at www.covchurch.org. To submit news items for consideration, call 773-907-8333 or email Covenant Communications at newsdesk@covchurch.org.

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