Hello Covenant Family,
Thank you for the many ways you have been partnering and praying with me and the Covenant denominational team this year. I send each of you my gratitude and thanks! We have been through a significant season of change and are just at the beginning of living into a new ministry structure. It is my hope and prayer that these changes will allow us to resource and partner with you more intentionally as together we join God in God’s mission to see more disciples among more populations in a more caring and just world.
Please know that our denominational team is praying for you too! Each of our ministry teams has selected a regional conference to pray for this year. If you would like to send your prayer requests, we would love to receive them. We want you to know there is a concerted effort to lift you up in prayer. This is one of the many ways we can live into our Three Strand Strong commitment. I pray our good and faithful God will provide for all your needs and amplify the many ways you demonstrate the love of Christ in word and deed in your community. I pray you will be encouraged even when circumstances are challenging, knowing that God is always at work. I pray the joy of the Lord will be your strength.
The psalmist writes, “Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness” (Psalm 89:1). It is an honor, privilege, and joy to serve the Evangelical Covenant Church. This past year has been full of experiencing God’s faithfulness to his beloved church; from the wonderful church anniversaries being celebrated to 100 years of the gospel coming to the Democratic Republic of Congo, God has been faithful. What a magnificent God we serve! Please continue to share your stories of how God is at work in and through your congregation with us. We love to celebrate these stories with you. They are a gift and encouragement to the whole church! Looking forward, I am excited to see how God will meet our youth as they gather for Unite 2024. I know there will be new and renewed commitments to Christ as well as responses to God’s call to ministry and service.
I pray every blessing upon each of you this Advent and Christmas season. As you gather in your local church annual meetings, may you reflect and marvel at God’s faithfulness to you this year.
For God’s glory and neighbor’s good.
Printed copies of this letter, which is intended to be read during local congregational annual meetings, are being mailed to all Covenant churches this week.
