Gather 2025
Celebrating 140 Years of Shared Mission and Ministry
Join us for the 140th global gathering of the Evangelical Covenant Church as we celebrate our rich heritage and ongoing mission. Since 1885, we’ve been united as “Mission Friends,” sharing the good news of Jesus Christ around the world.
The Covenant Annual Meeting is a time to worship, celebrate God’s work, welcome new churches, and commission, ordain, and consecrate ministers and missionaries. Every congregation is invited to participate in shaping the future of our shared mission, making key decisions, and building meaningful connections.
This milestone event will bring Covenant leaders from across the globe to honor 140 years of faithful ministry and envision the future of our mission together.
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 Gather 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.
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 2023.
STEP ONE
Fill out the Annual Statistical Report
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 – Start and Strengthen Churches | (773) 907-3346
STEP TWO
Credentialling Process
Each delegate to the Annual Meeting must be a member of the church and can only represent one entity. In addition to registration, all delegates must be officially credentialed by their church. The credential form is available below.
The Church Chair and Church Secretary are typically responsible for credentialing. If either position is vacant, another church leader may sign the form, provided they can verify the delegates are members, and that both signatures are not from appointed delegates.
Here’s the process:
First Approver
- List all appointed delegates from the church.
- Complete the First Approver section, then sign, date, and provide the name and email of the second approver.
- Click Preview Submission, review the information, and then click Submit. The form will be sent to the second approver for final review and signature.
Second Approver
- Click Preview Submission and scroll down to review the form.
- In the Second Approver section, verify the details, sign, date, and click Submit.
After submitting, ensure you see a confirmation screen indicating the process is complete. If the form remains open, review for missing information, click Go Back, make the necessary edits, and submit again.
For questions regarding the credentialing process, contact events@covchurch.org.
