Gather
Celebrating 140 Years of Shared Mission and Ministry
In 1885, a profound journey of faith began when a humble group of “Mission Friends” first gathered to bear witness to Christ’s love in the world. Now, 140 years later, that same spirit burns brightly. Join us for the Evangelical Covenant Church’s 140th anniversary at Gather 2025—a milestone where past and future, heritage and hope, come together.
At Gather 2025, Covenant leaders from around the world will honor generations of faithful ministry and envision the future of our shared mission. Experience powerful worship, be inspired by stories of God’s faithfulness, welcome new churches into our Covenant family, and celebrate as ministers and global personnel are commissioned, ordained, and consecrated.
Throughout the week, we’ll hear Jesus’s timeless call—“Follow Me”—the invitation that has transformed countless lives across the decades. Come connect with sisters and brothers from every corner of the earth as we celebrate, discern, and dream together—following Christ into the next chapter of the Covenant story.
Location
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
One Grand Cypress Blvd Orlando, Florida 32836
407-239-1234
Who Attends?
The Annual Meeting Is the Highest Legislative Body in The Evangelical Covenant Church
Every congregation is entitled to representation as we worship God and celebrate what God has done. We gather to discern future direction, select leaders, consecrate global personnel, credential and ordain clergy, and encourage one another to greater discipleship. We make determinations around funding the mission, and we hear about the challenges and opportunities in front of us. In it all, we get to meet new friends and strengthen old relationships.
Delegates
These are the official representatives from congregations and other Covenant entities. A delegate is entitled to full voice and vote in the Annual Meeting. Delegates are named by their sending body. Every congregation is entitled to representation.
From the Covenant Bylaws, Article VII, Section 7.4, member congregations shall be entitled to representation as follows (based on data from the Annual Statistical Report from November 2023):
- 0-99 members: 2 delegates
- 100-224 members: 3 delegates
- 225-449 members: 4 delegates
- 450-699 members: 5 delegates
- 700-999 members: 6 delegates
- 1,000 + members: 7 delegates
General Conferees
A general conferee is any adult participant at the Annual Meeting who is not an official delegate. General conferees may silently observe the Annual Meeting and may receive handouts during the sessions.
*Please note: Business meetings are closed sessions. Only registered delegates, general conferees, and resource personnel may attend business sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the Annual Meeting. Evening worship sessions are open to the public.
Schedule
| Tuesday, June 24 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Safe Sanctuaries Training (in person only) |
| Wednesday, June 25 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Ministerium Annual Meeting Business Session |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Church Chair Training (in person only) |
| Thursday, June 26 | |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Onsite-Only Delegate Orientation |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Fellowship Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 139th Annual Meeting: Business Session I |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Worship |
| Friday, June 27 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 139th Annual Meeting: Business Session II |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 139th Annual Meeting: Business Session III |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Worship |
| Saturday, June 28 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 139th Annual Meeting Session IV |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 139th Annual Meeting Business: Session V |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Worship: Commissioning, Ordination, and Consecration |
Travel & Accommodations
Hotel
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
1 Grand Cypress Blvd
Orlando, FL 32836
The reservation link is coming soon.
United Discount
United Airlines is pleased to partner with the Evangelical Covenant Church for air travel to Gather 2025. To make flight reservations online please click on discount code ZQ3D338721. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code. You may also call United Meetings Reservation Desk, Monday – Friday at (800) 426-1122 for booking assistance. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.
Airport
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando Air Traffic Control Tower
1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Registration
OPENS, MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2025
No registrations will be accepted after June 16, 2025.
Delegate | In-Person Attendance
$319 | EARLY: March 3 – May 15, 2025
$379 | REGULAR: May 16 – June 6, 2025
$429 | LATE: June 7 – June 16, 2025
General Conferee | In-Person Attendance
- $179 | March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $209 | May 16 – June 16, 2025
Delegate | Virtual Attendance
- $149 | EARLY: March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $179| REGULAR: May 16 – June 6, 2025
- $209 | LATE: June 7 – June 16, 2025
General Conferee | Virtual Attendance
- $149 | March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $179 | May16 – June 16, 2025
Church Delegate Registration Process
Every congregation is entitled to representation as we worship God and celebrate what God has done. The number of delegates a church can send is determined by their reported membership for 2024.
STEP ONE
Fill out the Annual Statistical Report (ASR)
Each year all Covenant churches are asked to complete the Annual Statistical Report (ASR) as part of our 3StrandStrong partnership. This simple report gathers critical information from churches such as attendance, membership, baptisms, income, and giving.
The ASR gathers information in a two-step process.
STEP 1 November 2024. Track and record attendance.
STEP 2 January 1-March 1, 2025. Input membership, baptisms, income, giving, and personnel contact information.
Please use the link below to input all your church’s data. Your church’s login credentials for the new ASR portal will be mailed out in November 2024, previous credentials will not work on the new portal. The portal allows you to save your answers and return later to complete the form. Simply return to the portal using the link below with your credentials.
If you have technical difficulties or questions regarding any of the data points, please reach out:
- For ASR Portal Technical Support – RJ Gonzales | (773) 596-2406
For All Other Questions –Daphne Black | (773) 907-3346
STEP TWO
Credentialling Process
Each church delegate to the Annual Meeting shall be a member of the church and can only represent one entity. Please be mindful that in addition to registration, all delegates must also be credentialed by their church. The credential form can be accessed below.
The Church Chair and Church Secretary are the primary credentialling members of the church. If either of those positions are vacant, someone on leadership may sign the credential form as long as they can verify delegates are members of the church and both signatures do not belong to appointed delegates.
Step 1
The first approver will list all appointed delegates for the church, fill out the FIRST APPROVER section, sign, date and provide the email of the second approver. Click Preview Submission, review and click Submit at the bottom of the form.
Once the form is submitted, it will be sent to the second approver for their signature and approval before submitting the final form.
Step 2
The second approver, click Preview Submission and scroll down to review the form. Under the SECOND APPROVER section, sign, date and click submit.
Note: After clicking SUBMIT, be sure you receive a new screen indicating the process is completed. If the form stays open, you may need to go back and click a missed check box or fill in missing information. Click GO BACK to make edits and submit again.
Any questions about the credentialing process should be directed to events@covchurch.org.
NOTE: Assigned Delegates by role in the Annual Meeting and Conference Delegates will be confirmed by governance and do not need to fill out the online credential form.
Cancellations & Substitutions
All cancellation requests must be received in writing via email to events@covchurch.org. Cancellation requests will be accepted until June 16, 2025. The cancellation fee is $50. No refunds will be offered for cancellations after June 16, 2025, except in case of an emergency.
Substitutions will be accepted from the same church or institution, provided the registration options and fees are the same for the new registrant until June 16, 2025.
Registration questions? Contact (800) 910-2442 or events@covchurch.org.
Delegate Orientation
Multiple Delegate Orientation sessions are being held in June to provide delegates with the training needed to understand your participation at Gather 2025. We hope these sessions will be informative and helpful as you prepare to represent your local church community at the 139th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Each session will have the same content and recorded sessions will be placed on the Gather webpage and viewed at leisure.
Annual Meeting Delegate Orientaiton Sessions
These sessions provide detailed information regarding the parliamentary procedure and how to engage in the annual meeting as a registered and credentialed delegate. More information coming soon!
