Covenant News

Fair Trade Bazaar Raises $7,000 for Missions

CHICAGO, IL (December 3, 2004) - More than $7,000 was raised during the "Gifts That Make a Difference" fair trade bazaar conducted recently by Edgebrook Evangelical Covenant Church.

"It was a huge success," says Amanda Olson, a North Park Theological Seminary student who is completing her internship at Edgebrook Covenant. Proceeds will be used to benefit a variety of local and international mission organizations and ministries. A key developer of the fair trade bazaar concept is Chris Pokorny, who is a member of Central Conference staff.

Covenant missionary groups from Chicago and other parts of the world shipped their goods to Edgebrook Covenant to be included in the bazaar. Participating organizations included Covenant Women of Colombia, Covenant missionaries in Mexico, Ecuador, the Central African Republic and ALC Handicrafts of Thailand, as well as fair trade enterprises, interfaith handicraft alliances and social justice organizations.

"All of the money raised from goods sold was returned directly to the local crafter," Olson explained. "ALC Handicrafts received enough money to financially support one woman and her family for six months. The additional profits that the church raised - totaling more than $1,300 - were donated to the North Park Friendship Center to help feed and clothe our neighbors."

Olson said the fair trade bazaar also serves as a valuable evangelism tool, "bringing countless new people who had never been here before into our church. We praise God for the huge success of this missions and evangelism ministry!"

To learn more about Edgebrook Covenant and its ministries, visit www.edgebrookcovenantchurch.org.

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