Covenant News

'Healing Hands' Concerts Raise $1,000 for Congo

WALNUT CREEK, CA (January 20, 2005) - Two California concerts by recording artist Brant Christopher raised nearly $1,000 to benefit the "Healing Hands Partners" program this past weekend.

The program benefits the outreach work in northwestern Congo where the Evangelical Covenant Church, in partnership with the Congo Covenant Church (CEUM), has ministered for decades.

Christopher performed at Hillside Covenant Church in Walnut Creek and Cornerstone Covenant Church in Turlock. The concerts included an abbreviated version of the Monganga Paul documentary released last year. The film tells the story of Covenant medical missionary Dr. Paul Carlson who was killed by Congo rebels in November 1964. This past November marked the 40th anniversary of Carlson's death.

A majority of the people attending the concerts became Healing Hands Partners, pledging $20 a month to support the ongoing efforts in Congo, Christopher said. "It's a great idea," says Cornerstone Pastor Brad Boydston. "It's a very creative way of addressing the situation."

The concerts are the beginning of a Healing Hands tour that Christopher plans to extend throughout this year. Funds raised during the concerts are administered by the Paul Carlson Partnership.

The folk rock singer has performed at Greenbelt, the largest Christian music festival in England, and shared the stage with Jars of Clay and the Newsboys. To read a more about the fund-raising effort and Christopher's background, please see Healing Hands.

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