GATHER
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.
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 2024):
- 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
All times are Eastern Time Zone
The Annual Meeting Agenda and Delegate Notebook for the business sessions of the One Hundred Fortieth Covenant Annual Meeting are available online. All business documents will be posted in early June. You can access them here >>
| 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 Business Session |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Church Chair Training (in person only) |
| Thursday, June 26 | |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Ordination Service Rehearsal |
| 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. – 3:30 p.m. | Business Session I |
| 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Intentional Discipleship Opportunities |
| 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. – 10:30 a.m. | Business Session II |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Intentional Discipleship Opportunities |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Business Session III |
| 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Intentional Discipleship Opportunities |
| 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. | Business Session IV |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 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
Room rates start at $192 per night (plus taxes), and the resort fee is included. We encourage you to reserve early, as our room block may sell out quickly.
Airport
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MCO)
Orlando Air Traffic Control Tower
1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
United Discount
United Airlines is pleased to offer discounted air travel for Gather 2025. To make flight reservations online use discount code ZQ3D338721. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles when using the Meetings discount code. You may also call the United Meetings Reservation Desk at (800) 426-1122 (Monday–Friday) for booking assistance. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk for further assistance.
Delta Discount
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for members of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Click below to book your flights online, or call Conferences and Events at (800) 328-1111 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3UE. Please note there is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed through this reservation number.
Registration Rates
Registration is needed to participate in these sessions. Please register before the end of the business day on June 16, 2025. No registrations will be processed after this date.
Delegate | In-Person
- $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
- $179 | EARLY: March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $209 | REGULAR: May 16 – June 16, 2025
Delegate | Virtual
- $149 | EARLY: March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $179 | REGULAR: May 16 – June 6, 2025
- $209 | LATE: June 7 – June 16, 2025
General Conferee | Virtual
- $149 | EARLY: March 3 – May 15, 2025
- $179 | REGULAR: May16 – June 16, 2025
Additional Events
No registrations for the Ministerium will be accepted after the June 6, 2025 deadline.
THE ELEMENTS OF GOOD STANDING
To maintain good standing, a credentialed Covenant minister must do the following:
- Pay annual dues to the treasurer of the conference in which the minister serves. Status can be checked by contacting one’s conference ministerium treasurer. Military Chaplains should contact the Ministerium’s Executive Committee treasurer; missionaries should contact Serve Globally.
- Complete a current profile on CovConnect. The profile should be updated every 3 years in order to qualify as “current.”
- Complete the Vocational Growth Tool (VGT) each year. The VGT is found under the resources tab within CovConnect.
Church Chair Training
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
This intensive, one-day training is designed for church chairs, vice-chairs, and anyone preparing to assume these roles in the near future. It offers a solid foundation for lay leaders filling these key positions on their leadership teams. Registration is $50 and will be held in person only.
Covenant Kids Congo Walk for Water
FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 7:00 AM
Join us at Gather to walk (or run or roll) with Covenant Kids Congo, powered by World Vision. You’re invited to move your feet and make an impact to help bring clean water to those who need it most in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Registration is $25 and provides clean water for one person in Congo.
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
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 more churches that complete the ASR, the better and more accurate information we have to reflect the collective ministry of the Covenant.
The ASR gathers information in a two-step process:
- Step One (November 2024): Track and record attendance.
- Step Two (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 were 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.
QUESTIONS?
If you experience technical difficulties or have questions along the way, please reach out!
- ASR Portal Technical Support – RJ Gonzales | (773) 596-2406
- All Other Questions – Start and Strengthen Churches | (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.
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.
- Step One: 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 Two: 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.
Delegate Orientation
Annual Meeting Delegate Orientation Session
An online Delegate Orientation is scheduled for May 27, 2025, to provide essential training for your participation in Gather 2025. This session aims to be both informative and helpful as you prepare to represent your local church community at the 140th Annual Meeting of The Evangelical Covenant Church. It will be recorded and posted on the Gather webpage for later review.
- Tuesday, May 27th | 6:30 p.m. CST (online)
Delegate Technology Briefing Sessions
This training will ensure that all virtual delegates understand how to use the technology to vote and/or engage in discussion. The online training will be recorded and published online. Additional training will be provided during the first ten minutes of Business Session I.
- Tuesday, June 10 | 6:30 p.m. CST (online)
Policies
Cancellations & Substitutions
All cancellation requests must be received in writing via email. Cancellation requests will be accepted until June 16, 2025, and 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.
Image Policy
By attending Midwinter, you grant the Evangelical Covenant Church permission to use your image, likeness, or voice in recordings or promotions for this or future events.
Questions?
Contact (800) 910-2442 or events@covchurch.org.
Safe Sanctuaries Training
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
This intensive, one-day training equips you to pastor individuals who have experienced the trauma of abuse. We will explore a theology of abuse, discuss the impact of trauma on victims and survivors, learn how to partner with local advocates for holistic healing, and discover best practices for responding to those who share their stories. Registration is $25 and will be held in person only. Pre-work required. Details after registration.