The Covenant Companion
Features
Singing Songs of Freedom: Remembering Our Ancestors’ Dreams
This Juneteenth, Ramelia Williams invites us to honor ancestors’ resilience and dreams, lament equity rollbacks, and sing freedom’s song—even in strange lands. Rise and remember.
Five Minutes with Edgar Torres
Edgar Torres, new ALIPE president, shares how his upbringing, mentors, and Covenant roots shape his vision for empowering Latino leaders and bridging generational and cultural gaps.
Pastor Ed’s Dream
The inaugural Journey to Mosaic in the Midsouth Conference brought the late Pastor Ed Lee’s vision to life, fostering unity and deepening relationships through shared experiences and the timeless message of God’s love for all people.
When Faith Isn’t Enough
When spiritual answers fall short, Elijah’s story reminds us: God meets us in exhaustion with bread, water, and rest—offering presence before prescriptions, compassion before correction.
What Will Your Answer Be?
High schooler Carter Kern reflects on a short-term Merge trip to Mexico, where unexpected friendships and shared service deepened his faith and reshaped his understanding of purpose and community.
Achieving Immortality
Kristin explores how legacies are made—not through fame, but through love that endures across generations and bears lasting fruit.
Featured story
Singing Songs of Freedom: Remembering Our Ancestors’ Dreams
News
Gathering Ground: Conference Snapshots Ahead of Gather 2025
As we prepare for Gather 2025, we’re sharing highlights from each conference’s annual meeting held earlier this year. These regional gatherings brought leaders together for worship, fellowship, and church business—laying the groundwork for the 140th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
IFFEC Issues Call for Peace, Dignity, and Reconciliation
The International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches (IFFEC) has released a statement calling for peace, dignity, and reconciliation amid global conflicts affecting more than 60 war zones worldwide.
The Covenant Companion Wins Top Denominational Magazine Award
The Covenant Companion received four top awards including first place in the best denominational magazine category.
Thok Tang Home Safe
After days of global prayer, Thok Tang, son of Covenant global personnel James Tang, has been found safe in Kenya. The family and church celebrate with gratitude.
Theological Education at a Crossroads: TEDS’ Departure and the Future of Seminary Training
As Trinity Evangelical Divinity School announces it will move to British Columbia, Dennis Edwards considers the shifting landscape of theological education and calls for renewed imagination, formation, and faithful community in changing times.
More Cov Doings: Anniversary Edition
We love in-depth storytelling, but for brief stories that we want to share with our Covenant family, we’re bringing back a familiar format from the blogging age: the roundup post.
Announcements
New Certificate in Missional Leadership
The Missional Vitality team and North Park Theological Seminary announce the new Certificate in Missional Leadership to help equip leaders for church health, revitalization, and culturally engaged ministry.
Michael White Is New Vice President of Mission Priorities
Michael White will join the Covenant denominational team as the new vice president of mission priorities.
Rob Peterson Elected President of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada
Rev. Rob Peterson has been confirmed as the new president/superintendent of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada, following the denomination’s 121st Annual General Meeting in Strathmore, Alberta, this month.
Dany Flores Joins Serve Clergy
Serve Clergy is delighted to announce that Reverend Dany Flores has accepted the invitation to join the team as the director of clergy support with a Latino emphasis.
President’s Letter to Church Annual Meetings
Local Covenant churches may download the Congregational Annual Meeting Letter from President Tammy Swanson-Draheim.
Seeking Candidates for Vice President of Mission Priorities
Covenant Offices is seeking candidates for the role of vice president of mission priorities.
Commentary
Confession as Formation and Proclamation
Could authentic confession be the key to effective evangelism? Discover how embracing vulnerability and truth-telling can transform the church’s witness to the world.
This Little Light of Mine
A small act of kindness, like greeting a stranger, can shine Christ’s light and transform ordinary encounters into moments of grace.
I’m Pretty Sure the Church Isn’t Allergic to Turkey
A childhood belief about being allergic to turkey leads to a deeper reflection on healing within the church.
Do What You Can
Preach the gospel by doing what you can and trust God to make it sufficient and maybe even extraordinary.
Is It the Church’s Job to Teach History?
Considering how the past shapes the structures of our society can be an act of spiritual formation.
The Nutritional Value of Beef: Lessons from a Hip-Hop Feud
A hip-hop feud and a Netflix drama illustrate the value of working through conflict to win a greater sense of peace.
Featured story
The State of Christian Music: Is It Dead?
Arts & Culture
The State of Christian Music: Are We Losing Our Sound?
Think Christian music lacks creativity? Explore how today’s artists blend genres and cutting-edge tech to craft bold, soulful compositions that can reignite spiritual connection.
The State of Christian Music: What Is Christian Music For?
How Christian music became more about personal identity than spiritual formation—and what that shift means for us today.
The State of Christian Music: Is It Dead?
Jelani Greenidge kicks off a series on the state of Christian music, exploring its decline and offering a hopeful vision for its rebirth.
Destigmatizing Mental Illness
E. Jill Riley’s Post-Traumatic Faith shares her journey of overcoming trauma and mental illness, emphasizing the vital role of faith in healing and destigmatizing mental health within faith communities.
When Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds
Jin Lee reflects on Healing Leadership Trauma, a timely guide for leaders seeking restoration, soul-care, and space to name the wounds time alone can’t heal.
When Faith Meets Fate
Reflections on The White Lotus, Paul’s contentment, and the freedom found when we finally loosen our grip on control.
In Memoriam
William Watts
Retired Covenant pastor William Watts passed away on May 24, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. He was 84.
Amos Shakya
Covenant Pastor Amos Shakya passed away on May 15, 2025, in Geneva, Illinois. He was 40.
John Norland
Retired Covenant pastor John Norland passed away on April 22, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. He was 77.
Kathy Frederiksen
Retired Covenant global personnel Kathy Frederiksen passed away April 2, 2025.
Vicky Love
Retired Covenant global personnel Vicky Love passed away March 31, 2025. She was 80.
Bruce E. Thorson
Retired Covenant pastor Bruce Thorson passed away in Round Lake Park, Illinois on March 22, 2025. He was 75.
G. Marlan Enns
Retired Covenant missionary G. Marlan Enns passed away in Spring Valley, California, on March 5, 2025. He was 104.
Alison Wiens
Covenant pastor Alison Wiens Randall passed away from cardiac arrest on February 23, 2025. She was 59.
Love the Cov
Podcast
Sitting Down with Dany Flores and Metzli Doles
In this episode of Love the Cov, Dany Flores and her daughter Metzli share their intergenerational partnership in ministry, reflecting on how their shared commitment to faith, family, and justice shapes their lives and work.
Sitting Down with Harold Spooner and Peter Sjoblom
In episode 4, Harold Spooner and Peter Sjoblom share their journeys in urban ministry and racial reconciliation within the Covenant, reflecting on leadership, justice, and the legacy they hope to leave for future generations.
Sitting Down with Henry and Jelani Greenidge
In episode 3, Jim Sequeira speaks with Henry and Jelani Greenidge about Henry’s pioneering work in planting a truly multiethnic church back in 1988, Jelani’s experiences growing up in that diverse congregation, and their reflections on the state of the multiethnic church today.
Sitting Down with Lenore Three Stars and Jim Sequiera
In episode two of Love the Cov season two, Lenore Three Stars and Jim Sequeira share their journeys within the Covenant, leaning into their Indigenous wisdom and identity. Their work includes repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery and guiding the Covenant toward deeper understanding and healing.
