GATHER 2025
Gather 2025
Celebrating 140 Years of Shared Mission and Ministry
At Gather 2025, Covenant leaders from around the world honored generations of faithful ministry and envisioned the future of our shared mission together. Delegates and conferees experienced powerful worship, were inspired by stories of God’s faithfulness, welcomed new churches into the Covenant family, and celebrated as ministers and global personnel were commissioned, ordained, and consecrated.
Gather 2026
July 24-27, 2026
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
About
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.
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.
Our Global Guests
We are honored to welcome our sisters and brothers from our global Covenant family to celebrate our 140th anniversary with us. These partners in the gospel remind us of the beautiful, diverse body of Christ around the world. This booklet is a small but meaningful way to help us connect across languages, cultures, and borders.
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
Delegate Orientation Session
This session offers practical training to help you represent your congregation at the 140th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church during Gather 2025.
Delegate Technology Briefing
This training ensures that all virtual delegates understand how to use the technology to vote and engage in discussion. Additional training will be provided during the first ten minutes of Business Session I.
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.
