Celebration Gala & Film Premiere
Celebrating 80 Years | 1946–2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
Join us for an evening honoring 80 years of transformation through Covenant World Relief and Development. We’ll honor the past, celebrate transformation, hear powerful stories, and envision a hopeful future together.
Evening Schedule
5:30 PM – Doors & Art Gallery Open
6:30 PM – Dinner Served & Program Begins
8:00 PM – Documentary Film Premiere
9:00 PM – Program Concludes
Semi-formal or festive attire is recommended.
Host a Table
Invite your friends, family, or church members to join you in the celebration. Each table seats eight people, and the host will manage the invitations within one registration.
Mini-Documentary
For a sneak peek of the documentary, watch the short film above—an inspiring look at lives renewed in West Pokot, Kenya, through our partnership with Jitokeze.
Call for Artists
We invite artists to contribute original artwork to a special anniversary exhibit celebrating eight decades of global impact through Covenant World Relief and Development (CWRD). All contributions will be displayed in an online gallery and selected works will be featured in a gallery at our anniversary gala in Chicago on January 25, 2026, as well as the Covenant annual meeting in June 2026. Amateur artists welcome! Contributed artwork will also be available for purchase with all proceeds supporting CWRD’s ongoing ministry and work around the world.
Artwork Theme
You are invited to submit original artwork specifically around one of the following themes:
- Faces of Transformation: Artist will paint/draw a portrait of CWRD partner beneficiaries. Photographs of past beneficiaries will be provided as inspiration.
- CWRD Values: Representing the Kingdom; Mutual Partnership; Strengthening Communities; Serving the Most Vulnerable; Transforming Individuals, Families, and Communities; Affirming Dignity; or Seeking Justice.
- CWRD Project Sectors: such as clean water, peacemaking, refugee care, community health, agriculture, food security and nutrition, women’s empowerment, human trafficking prevention and care, micro-enterprise, disaster response, education, mental health, animal husbandry, or vulnerable children.
- Bible Verse: such as Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:35–40, Isaiah 1:17, Revelation 7:9, Psalm 82:3-4, Habakkuk 1:5, Proverbs 31:8–9, Deuteronomy 10:18–19, or Zechariah 7:9–10.
Guidelines
- Mediums: Paint, pencil/pen, charcoal, mixed media, sculpture, textile, written word, etc.
- Size Limits: 2D art: Min 4″ x 6″, Max 16″ x 20″ / 3D art: Max 18″ x 18″ x 18″
- Sign-Up Deadline: November 1, 2025
- Deadline to Submit: December 1, 2025
- All artwork will be donated as a gift-in-kind; proceeds to benefit CWRD ministries. Artists may also submit a brief statement about their process and inspiration.
Why Participate
- Make a lasting impact through the power of art and showcase your creativity at a national Covenant celebration.
- Support Covenant World Relief and Development, disaster response, and community development worldwide.
