Ministers' Care and Crisis Fund

Caring for Our Covenant Clergy

The Evangelical Covenant Church deeply cares about the health and well-being of our Covenant pastors, global personnel, and chaplains. Through Serve Clergy, we aim to provide resources to help them fulfill their calling. Your partnership and generosity in supporting our clergy, whose gifts and service are vital to our collective mission, are highly appreciated.

Support Initiatives

In 2023, 819 pastors, 60 spouses, and 128 lay leaders received coaching, care, and equipping to help them thrive in all stages of their ministry.

Ministers’ Care and Crisis Fund

Last year, over $82,000 was provided to pastors in need through the Ministers’ Care and Crisis Fund. One pastor shared: “This fund grant is such a big blessing and will cover cash flow needs right now. Our friends, family, mission supporters, and home church have carried us these last two years. But it’s so intense we’re still buried. This is an answer to prayer.”

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Grants

Through these grants, 529 pastors have had access to personal retreats, spiritual direction, coaching, counseling, and Thriving in Ministry cohorts, regardless of their financial situation. One pastor noted: “Pastoral excellence emerges from a life of abiding in Christ. My capacity to love others, proclaim the gospel, and lead from a healthy place is dependent on my sustained connection to God. In the midst of all the work I do, the priority I must tend to is cultivating a life of integrity and dependence on Christ.”

Financial Leadership and Thriving in Ministry Initiatives

Twenty-seven households participated in Financial Leadership cohorts, offered in both Spanish and English, learning to cultivate financial excellence. Many received grants for consumer debt relief. One participant said: “JumpStart has provided us with language and resources to accomplish our desired financial goals. Now we have a community with us on this journey of financial flourishing. My spouse and I have shared knowledge and opportunity; this helps in holding one another accountable on this new adventure.”

Support Our Covenant Clergy

Please consider making a generous gift to support the health and well-being of our Covenant clergy community. You can also apply for assistance by clicking below. Thank you for your partnership in caring for our ministerial community!

Lina Sánchez-Herrera

Chicago West Suburbs, Illinois

ECC Conference: Central
Gender: Female

AVAILABILITY

Receiving New Directees: Yes
Directing Clergy: Yes
Client Genders: Both men and women
Skype or Facetime: Yes
Languages: English, Spanish
Retreat/Workshop Leader: Yes

CERTIFICATION FROM

C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction, North Park Theological Seminary

AREAS OF INTEREST

Pastors/Church Leadership, Missionaries, University Students, Discernment Process, Transitions, Multi-Ethnic Issues, Second Half of Life, Prayer, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

Prior to moving to the USA, I was a professor at the National University of Colombia and served with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Colombia for 16 years. Starting in 2001, I served as InterVarsity National Staff in the USA. I have a master’s degree in Christian Ministries, and I serve in Spiritual Direction to those who want to be fully present and available to God and receive His grace over them. My joy is to see professors and college students coming to know Jesus and being transformed into people that bring the good news of righteousness and justice to others.

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