Crescendo
Aging is not optional. How we do it is.
Crescendo is focused on equipping pastors, staff, and church leaders to unleash the potential of the 60+ demographic to engage in the work of God’s kingdom. The holistic approach of Crescendo is rooted in biblical models, historical evidence, and current studies of aging. These inform us that purposeful living and giving of oneself in serving others directly correlate to spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional well-being.
Why Crescendo
“Age isn’t a slow fade—it’s a crescendo.”
Crescendo: Every Season Sings
A ministry with, to, and by adults in the second half of life · 2 min
Too often, our culture treats the second half of life as a slow decline. Crescendo helps congregations see it as a Spirit-filled season of flourishing, where older adults’ wisdom, resilience, and faith shape the future of the whole church.
About
Lives of Lasting Purpose
An age wave of tsunami proportion is here. 10,000 people have turned 65 each day since 2011 and will continue to do so through 2029. It is estimated that by 2035, the US will have more people who are 65+ than under 18. We believe the church today is called to challenge boomers and beyond to engage in purposeful living as missional disciples. The later years of life can be a fulfilling and productive season for advancing Christ’s mission.
The name Crescendo comes to us from the world of music. It is defined as a gradual increase and building to a strong culmination. This concept is at the heart of the Crescendo initiative. God desires that all live fully into his purposes for the entirety of our lives. As the psalmist says,
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” -Psalm 92:12-14.
Vital living app
Download Our App
The Crescendo: Vital Living App will inspire, encourage, and equip you in your personal journey of vital living. With this app, you can access our downloadable resources, devotions, inspirations, reflections, and other resources.
Stories
From the Field
Crescendo: How the Ministry Grew
Crescendo began as a pilot project in 2016 to help people sixty and older keep living fully with God and each other. For its tenth anniversary, its founders look back at how the ministry has grown and changed.
Tuesdays at Good Sam
In a small California town with no senior center, Cathy LaManna started a weekly game afternoon at church. Three years in, the people who come are treated like family, and some of them have started coming on Sundays, too.
5 Minutes with Debbie Griffith-Samuels
For Covenant pastor Debbie Griffith-Samuels, retirement has never been an excuse to sit on the sidelines.
Sent: The Ongoing, Adventurous, Circuitous Call
Following her retirement from a high-stress job, Sharon Davis finds herself serving at “the ends of the world.”
Cycling Senior Supports Biking for Congo
Annalee Boulton of Arlington United Church cycles 50 kilometers at 88 years old to support the 2022 Biking for Congo Challenge.
Percy Mueda Honored as Outstanding Layperson
Percy Mueda of Grace Covenant Church in South San Francisco, California, was awarded the Theodore W. Anderson Award for Outstanding Layperson at the 136th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Leadership
Meet the Team
The Crescendo team seeks to raise awareness of the issues surrounding aging and to provide a framework for holistic ministry. The vision is to help boomers and beyond to unleash their potential and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live with purpose, vitality, and mission in the later stages of life.
Evelyn Johnson and Alan Forsman are authors of Crescendo: An Ascent to Vital Living, a resource for churches and individuals.
Our Sponsors
Made possible by partners who share the vision.
Crescendo is supported by two Covenant ministries committed to helping older adults flourish.
Covenant Trust Company
Covenant Trust provides investment management, trustee services, and estate and gift planning to individuals, families and institutions.
Covenant Living Communities and Services
Covenant Living Communities & Services is a senior living organization that runs Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) across the U.S.
