As we prepare for Gather 2025, we’re sharing highlights from each conference’s annual meeting held earlier this year. These regional gatherings brought leaders together for worship, fellowship, and church business—laying the groundwork for the 140th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Alaska Conference
The Alaska Conference met at First Covenant Church in Anchorage under the theme “Mountain-Moving Faith,” drawing on Ephesians 3:20-21 to encourage believers to trust God’s power beyond our imagination. Pastor Criss Mitchell challenged attendees to reject lies of shame—especially those affecting indigenous Alaskans—and to claim their full identity in Christ. Kristen Bierma of Beacon Hill introduced the Care Portal foster-care initiative, sharing calls to action for church volunteers to support vulnerable children and families. Tammy Swanson-Draheim likened denominational challenges to the storm-tossed disciples, reminding leaders that prayer—not strategy alone—invites God’s presence into our most chaotic situations. Superintendent Curtis Ivanoff closed with Mark 10’s blind Bartimaeus story, illustrating how Christ still stops to ask what we need and how personal testimony can inspire compassionate ministry.
Prayer Requests
- That God would ignite bold, mountain-moving faith across every Alaskan congregation.
- For sufficient volunteers and resources to sustain the Care Portal’s work.
Canada Conference
In Toronto, the Canada Conference convened under “Stronger Together,” celebrating the installation of Rob Peterson as president and superintendent and the welcome of Balfour Covenant Church. Peterson’s address emphasized collaborative resilience across Canada’s vast geography. Breakout sessions highlighted four strategic pillars—church planting, coaching cohorts, internship pathways, and the Church Worker Relief Fund—prompting candid discussion about four congregations currently without pastors. Testimonies from internship graduates illustrated how hands-on mentoring deepens vocational clarity, while informal networking spurred plans for inter-provincial mission teams.
Prayer Requests
- Wisdom and vision for Rob Peterson as he leads Canadian ministries.
- That God would raise up pastors for congregations currently in transition.
Central Conference
Libertyville (Illinois) Covenant Church hosted “Celebration 2025,” where members explored what it means to keep the “mission in motion.” Kanyere Eaton revisited the Samaritan woman in John 4, inviting leaders to develop “new eyes to see and new hearts to receive” by recognizing Christ in unexpected places. Danny Martinez used the Tabernacle-carrier roles (Kohathites, Gershonites, Merarites) as a metaphor for collaborative ministry, urging everyone to serve with their God-given gifts. Practical workshops on cross-cultural outreach, neighborhood engagement, and church planting equipped attendees with tools they can implement immediately.
Prayer Requests
- Clarity and courage for churches as they put mission strategies into practice.
- Perseverance and provision for new church plants in development.
East Coast Conference
The East Coast Conference gathered under “Diverse Unity,” blessing two new congregations—Community City Covenant Church in Malden, Massachusetts, and Renovation City Covenant in the Bronx, New York—as symbols of our growing cultural tapestry. Superintendent Burgoyne announced Sandra Lee’s promotion to associate superintendent, tasking her to build strategic partnerships and equip multicultural networks. Reports on children’s and family ministry showcased neighborhood-centered initiatives and campus outreach, while a forum on multilingual worship explored how to honor varied languages without losing congregational cohesion.
Prayer Requests
- Grace and wisdom for Sandra Lee as she steps into her expanded role.
- Fruitful collaboration among diverse congregations across the region.
Great Lakes Conference
At Mission Meadows in Dewittville, New York, the Great Lakes Conference met under “Reclaim & Reimagine.” Camp directors reported record retreat attendance and new accessibility measures. Three prospective church plants were introduced, and participants committed to pray over their launch teams. Mary Hendrickson led Missional Vitality workshops, offering small-group models for community engagement that many called “game changers.” The new North Park Theological Seminary cohort program, enabling ministers to finish seminary while in active service, galvanized generous scholarship pledges from local churches.
Prayer Requests
- Provision and leadership for each of the three new church plants.
- Spiritual empowerment as Missional Vitality strategies take root.
Midwest Conference
Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, hosted “Following Jesus,” focusing on discipling the next generation, neighbor-love, leadership equipping, and outreach. President Tammy Swanson-Draheim encouraged “dreaming big” while grounding vision in daily obedience. Church planters from Manhattan, Kansas, shared outreach strategies that resonated across rural and suburban contexts. Breakouts on digital discipleship and kingdom finance equipped lay leaders with practical tools, while coffee-break peer coaching solidified relational support networks.
Prayer Requests
- Community backing for the Manhattan, Kansas, church plant.
- Clarity and confidence for this year’s ordination candidates.
Midsouth Conference
Kingdom City Church in Houston, Texas, hosted the “Harvest Workers” reunion, centered on Matthew 9:37-38. Bilingual mini-revival services led by Pastor Alejandro and Pastora Vilma Carrizo and Pastor Allan and Pastora Luz Serrano fostered unity across language lines. The new Latino Church Planting Internship Initiative offers a clear pathway for young leaders, while Serve Globally’s Dale Lusk was honored for modeling reciprocal mission partnerships. Practical workshops on urban evangelism and bivocational ministry equipped attendees with real-world case studies.
Prayer Requests
- Guidance and provision for the inaugural Latino internship cohort.
- Fruitful global-church partnerships that deepen mutual learning.
Northwest Conference
The Northwest Conference met at Roseville (Minnesota) Covenant Church under “Scaffold of Support,” emphasizing interdependence across the region. Superintendent Kara Stromberg laid out new initiatives: rural-leadership forums to equip small-town pastors, a $140,000 Strategic Ministry Grant Initiative supporting 27 churches, and financial-training seminars for lay leaders. In a commissioning service, five ordination candidates were prayed over. Throughout the weekend, leaders shared stories of intergenerational worship gatherings and neighborhood-service projects—concrete examples of churches leaning on one another for strength and innovation.
Prayer Requests
- For grant-funded projects to effectively bless and transform local communities.
- For confidence and clarity for the newly commissioned pastoral candidates.
Pacific Northwest Conference
Bellingham, Washington, hosted the Pacific Northwest Conference’s “Anchored in Grace.” Superintendent Greg Yee reminded leaders that unity rests on the Holy Spirit, not uniformity. Sessions included stewardship insights from Covenant Trust and adaptive leadership conversations for wilderness-ministry contexts. Celebrations marked growth to 69 churches and previewed next year’s Wenatchee gathering. Panels highlighted homelessness outreach partnerships and creation-care projects that blend social justice with spiritual formation.
Prayer Requests
- Sustained grace-filled collaboration among all 69 congregations.
- Broad participation and vision for Wenatchee 2026.
Pacific Southwest Conference
Modesto, California, hosted “Celebration 2025,” where worship, equipping, and cultural exchange intertwined. Superintendent Bryan Murphy affirmed that two new churches—Coastline Covenant Church in Redondo Beach and Harbor Church LA—strengthen our movement in Southern California. Mentor-mentee networking sessions sparked commitments to ongoing peer coaching, while workshops on youth missions and elder care offered adaptable blueprints for church teams.
Prayer Requests
- Smooth integration for Coastline and Harbor Church LA into the Covenant family.
- Fruitful mentor relationships nurturing emerging leaders.
Southeast Conference
Walk of Faith Covenant Church in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, hosted “Friendship: No Greater Love,” blending historic museum tours with dawn prayer walks. J. Nathan Clayton’s seminar on friendship with God and neighbor invited deep reflection. Business sessions approved budgets, elected officers, and re-affirmed Marc Putnam’s role as president of the conference ministerium. Honors for hurricane relief after Helene and Milton highlighted our commitment to mercy ministry. Jennifer McIntyre closed with invitations to join the SEC 150 matching-fund campaign for church planting, coaching, scholarships, and sabbatical support.
Prayer Requests
- Deepening of sacrificial friendship with God and neighbor across the Southeast.
- Success of the SEC 150 matching-fund campaign.
May these regional stories and petitions guide our hearts as we converge at Gather 2025.
