The Covenant Companion
Features
Comeback Kidney
When a private lunch turned life-saving, friendship and faith converged in an unexpected kidney transplant. Rev. Paul Robinson and pastor Greg Ellis share how vulnerability, God’s prompting, and true brotherhood changed their lives forever.
The Face(s) of an Invisible God
Scott Rice uncovers how God’s hidden presence shines through compassionate care for strangers, inviting us to recognize the divine in those who suffer and to refuse looking away from their pain.
Evangelical Mascot: Lone Wolf or Lamb?
Exploring how lone-wolf fantasies can overshadow gospel community, this essay invites all believers to embrace Jesus’s humble, communal “way of the Lamb.”
Singing Songs of Freedom
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.
Featured story
Comeback Kidney
News
Gather 2025: Following Jesus into a New Chapter
Last week, delegates and global leaders gathered to celebrate 140 years of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Together we shared powerful worship, heard stories of God’s faithfulness, welcomed new churches, and celebrated the commissioning, ordination, and consecration of new ministers and global personnel.
Beyond Repudiation to Building Bridges
Community Covenant Church in Upsala answered the 2021 repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery by partnering with Mokahum Discipleship Ministry—collaborating on construction, shared worship, cultural teaching, and mission trips.
Mushing Minister Mirrors Mercy Mission
To mark the 100th Serum Run anniversary, Covenant pastor Jonathan Hayes and his sixteen-dog team retraced the 700-mile relay to Nome, stopping in village churches for rest and hospitality from Covenant congregations along the trail.
Carts Full, Prices Halved
Oak Heights Covenant Church hosts a monthly Fare for All grocery pop-up, serving 174 families in two hours—third-highest among 33 sites—showing how a small congregation shares Christ’s love through food security.
Covenant Ethnic Associations Stand with Immigrant Neighbors
Covenant ethnic associations—ALIPE, CAPA, IMA, and AAMA—issue statements urging the Church to stand with our immigrant neighbors.
Roger Rosengren Honored for Outstanding Lay Ministry
Roger A. Rosengren of Alexandria (Minnesota) Covenant Church received the 2025 Theodore W. Anderson Award for outstanding lay ministry. For more than 50 years, he has been a committed servant to the church, making a significant and lasting impact in his community of faith for the mission of the gospel
Announcements
Jessica Springer Joins Serve Locally as Children and Family Director
Jessica Springer will join the denominational team of the Evangelical Covenant Church as the new director of children and family.
Pete Sutton Joins Serve Locally as Youth and Young Adult Director
Pete Sutton has joined the denominational team of the Evangelical Covenant Church as the new director of youth and young adults.
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.
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 Still Segregated?
Arts & Culture
The State of Christian Music: Is It Still Segregated?
Exploring the deep-rooted racial split between CCM and gospel traditions, its impact on today’s Christian music scene, and paths toward true unity.
Strength in Surrender
In his new book, “The Weak Church,” Covenant minister Peter Ahn shares his personal journey of ministry—shaped by vulnerability, confession, and emotional honesty—and urges leaders to depend on God rather than their own strength.
Exploring Fellowship Across Divides
Leap of Faith follows twelve pastors as they engage in honest, often difficult dialogue across deep divides, modeling a slow and messy yet Spirit-led pursuit of fellowship and reconciliation.
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.
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.
