Covenant News

Palmetto Now Known as Kingdom Covenant Ministries

MIAMI, FL (January 8, 2004) - One Southeast Conference Covenant congregation is starting a new year with a new name, as Palmetto Community Covenant Church becomes Kingdom Covenant Ministries.

Pastor Ed Carey led a series of events last weekend for the church, which was organized in 1964. On Sunday morning, the church invited a Jews For Jesus rabbi to lead a name-changing ceremony with 12 large banners symbolizing the blessing of the tribes of Israel. Special music, liturgical dance and special prayers (including repetition of the Lord's Prayer and prayer in tongues by Carey) added to the ceremony as the congregation was blessed one by one. The church also celebrated communion during the morning service.

That evening, musician Jon Gibson of Irvine, California, performed in concert. A dance team also participated in the worship event.

Palmetto Community desired the change because the name Kingdom Covenant better describes the nature of the ministry, says conference Supt. Kurt Miericke. Carey believes the name change will benefit the work of the church because of the unity in the decision.

"Because of the leading of the spirit of God, we needed to get our name under the right banner," said Carey. "I have been teaching on the Kingdom of God for about eight months and one of the members suggested it. We prayed about that and my wife (Anita) and I chatted about it for two or three months. The board prayed about it and seemed to be for it and everybody was unanimously accepting."

Carey is continuing to pursue legalizing the name with the State of Florida - he soon will file incorporation documents.

The church averages about 300 in Sunday worship. The congregation is seeking to build on its three-acre property to further its ministries. The church also owns other property it hopes to sell to create additional funding for a future building project.

For more information about the Miami congregation and its ministries, call Carey at 305-238-7852.

Printable version of this page.