Vision for Renewal
A Spirit-led Call to New Life and Reimagined Ministry Across the Covenant
From Our President
Dear Covenant Family,
With gratitude and hope, I invite you to journey with us toward a vision rooted in our heritage and filled with the promise of good news for the whole world.
For 140 years, the Evangelical Covenant Church has been united in Spirit-empowered mission—a 3StrandStrong cord of churches, conferences, and denomination as faithful partners. Today, we stand at a crossroads, discerning the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit breathing new life into our shared existence. Amid both change and challenge, we have the opportunity to build on our legacy as mission friends called to new life in Christ.
This vision for renewal is a call to reimagine the Church for the next generation. We are committed to developing strong leaders, cultivating vibrant churches, and nurturing disciples who embody Christ’s love. May this vision inspire us, stirring a holy ambition for what God can do when we unite humbly, courageously, and prayerfully to advance God’s mission together
Thank you for your faithful partnership. I invite you to join me as we move forward together in this Vision for Renewal. Let us trust God’s leading as we respond to his call for this next season in the life of the Covenant, for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good.
In Christ,
Tammy Swanson-Draheim
President, Evangelical Covenant Church
Vision
The Evangelical Covenant Church envisions living into God’s kingdom through a prayerful, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of churches, served by women and men striving to love and follow in the way of Jesus by loving our neighbors as Jesus loves us.
As a movement of congregations, conferences, and denomination, we are strengthened by prayer, partnership, and a shared mission. Our immigrant founders were Pietists, a renewal movement that sought faith that engaged head, heart, and hands. Now as we celebrate 140 years of ministry, we embrace the distinctives that shape our identity: a deep commitment to Scripture, guided by the question, “Where is it written?”; spiritual growth, inspired by the question, “How goes your walk?”; and hearts of compassion for those who are hurting.
Mission
The Evangelical Covenant Church joins God in God’s mission to make more disciples among more populations in a more caring and just world.
Guiding Principles
Prayerful
Aligning our hearts with God’s through prayer (Ephesians 6:18)
Multiethnic and Intergenerational
Reflecting God’s kingdom in our diversity (Revelation 7:9)
Evangelistic
Proclaiming Jesus through word and action (Matthew 28:19-20)
Committed to Women and Men in Ministry
Supporting those called to serve (Galatians 3:28)
Disciples Who Make Disciples
Following Jesus and making disciples across cultures around the world (Philippians 2:1-5, 14-16)
Unified in Love
Embodying Christ’s love to foster unity (John 17:20-23; 1 John 3:16)
Holy Renewal
In a time when churches are facing challenges, pastors are experiencing burnout, and many churches are closing, we know that God is at work doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). We believe this is a God-ordained moment—an opportunity to realign ourselves with the mission of Jesus.
As the cultural landscape shifts, we see the Holy Spirit raising up new expressions of church life—micro-churches, house churches, online communities, and creative mission partnerships—emerging as vibrant complements to our faithful, traditional churches. Young believers craving authenticity and purpose are drawn to expressions of faith that are relational, mission-focused, and rooted in Scripture and prayer. With God’s help, and through the faithful partnership of our eleven conferences and churches across the Covenant family, the Covenant’s future can be one of renewal, not retreat.
Spirit-Led Call
Since our very beginning, we have believed that the Church exists for mission, just as fire exists by burning. We believe the local church is God’s intentional way of engaging with the world. Through our 3StrandStrong partnership, we are saying yes to a future filled with gospel boldness, kingdom creativity, and Spirit-empowered unity.
By coming alongside new and existing congregations with spiritual, financial, and relational support, the Covenant is helping churches find new life and new language to proclaim the unchanging gospel. We are focusing on three key areas of renewal: empowering resilient leaders, planting and revitalizing churches, and nurturing authentic, Christ-centered faith.
The Covenant is poised to meet this moment with courage and clarity, grounded in:
A Life of Prayer
We continually seek God’s presence and wisdom, trusting him to lead us through every season.
Relational Commitment
We pursue Christ-centered unity across cultural and political lines, reflecting the love of Jesus to all.
A Structure for Impact
Our scale and ministry model enable effective ministry, which has been affirmed by external support ($7.5 million in Lilly Endowment funding over the past decade).
A Legacy of Bold Leadership
In every challenge, we respond with faith. Even amid hardship, we have surpassed financial goals and planted churches through courage and God’s provision.
Goals
Empower Resilient, Missional Leaders for Kingdom Impact
In our changing world, we need Spirit-led leaders—women and men who serve with wisdom and reliance on God. We are committed to raising up pastors who are rooted in Scripture, guided by prayer, and compelled by a passion for discipleship and justice.
- Support for Pastors • $3M – Investing in spiritual, emotional, and financial health to strengthen and equip pastors for long-term, vibrant ministry. (Matching grant available through Lilly Endowment.)
- Next-Gen Global Mission • $3M – Launching a new global mission pathway to send out ten young leaders annually, especially Gen Z, millennials, and those from multiethnic mosaic churches.
- Lay Leader Training • $1M – Equipping and empowering lay leaders through training and mentoring to help churches thrive. A new director of lay leadership will partner with conferences to coordinate this work.
Proclaim and Live the Gospel, Make Disciples, and Extend Mercy
Throughout our history, we have sought to proclaim the gospel along with demonstrating compassion through mercy and justice.
- Global Change-Makers • $4M – Supporting global indigenous partners who equip local leaders to transform communities through initiatives in food security, peacemaking, vulnerable families, women’s empowerment, anti-sex trafficking, healthcare, and economic development.
- Evangelism and Discipleship • $2.75M – Expanding evangelism through innovative outreach via digital platforms alongside practical community care and renewing evangelism efforts to youth through our Covenant camp programs.
- Compassion, Mercy, and Justice • $1M – Offering local churches grants for community transformation and establishing immigration legal aid centers.
Grow New and Thriving Congregations
We seek to remain mission-driven, both rooted in the gospel and adaptable to our ministry contexts, embracing innovation, deepening spiritual formation, and strengthening evangelism.
- Strategic Church Planting • $1.5M – Launching 15 new church plants over five years through conference collaboration.
- New Church Models and Leaders • $2.4M – Supporting new church planter leadership and internship pathways, emerging church models, and Latino church planting.
- Church Health and Vitality • $1.5M – Equipping congregations to grow spiritually and remain mission-focused in order to thrive.
Join the Vision for Renewal Movement
Now is the time for restoration, reimagination, and renewal within the Evangelical Covenant Church—for the sake of generations to come. Be part of what God is doing in and through us. Together, we can move forward with faith, hope, and expectant hearts for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.
