As relationally connected, kingdom minded, Jesus-centred churches, we are called to do the work together.
The below is a snapshot of how God’s Spirit is at work through our pastors, churches and leaders across Canada! What does it look like to MULTIPLY this work. We want to see more disciples experiencing deeper community through the church in more spaces and places across Canada and around the world.
So, if you walked away thinking, “Hey, I’d like to look into _______ more.” This document should help. Maybe your church would appreciate one of the greeting or updates videos from a partner they support. Use these links, videos, and highlights to share with your church!
MAKE & DEEPEN DISCIPLES
PRAYER
Gavin Jensen shared about recently attending a conference on catalyzing church growth and the deep call to prayer that many team members felt, and the need for the Holy Spirit to move in our churches. Information on how to engage in strategic prayer will be made available soon.
TRELLIS FOUNDATION
Phil Adkins shared about Trellis Foundation, a catalyst for Biblical and innovative work for discipleship, multiplying the investment from Covenant Bible College by supporting churches initiatives. Learn how to apply for a grant at the link below.
HEADWATERS
Karen Edgar shared that Headwaters is helping young adults become established in their faith, to benefit churches and the world. She asked us to pray for students, staff, and speakers as a new group begins this discipleship program.
COVENANT BAY BIBLE CAMP
Bradon Pihowich shared that camp welcomes children and helps them grow in their relationship with God. They have 8 weeks of camp planned and are currently fundraising for a new dining building.
UNITE
Rick Penner shared that last summer we sent 8 Canadian youth groups to Unite. Unite will happen again in July 2024 in two locations (the locations have not yet been announced). Tell your churches and start planning for summer 2024!
LOVE MERCY, DO JUSTICE
KERNELS OF HOPE
Ray Baloun shared that you can help support farmers who harvest grain and donate it to Kernels of Hope. The Canadian government contributes more money to that donation, and those funds go towards helping water projects in Africa and leads to more food being produced. Talk about multiplication!
TEARFUND CANADA
Philip Reily shared about the many humanitarian crises that they have been able to respond to and that they have been able to empower, resource, and equip local churches around the world.
WORLD VISION CANADA
Chris Shroeder shared that through Covenant Kids Congo we have supported many kids. He also shared that Covenant Kids Congo is moving into Karawa this year. For more information on hosting Chosen in Karawa at your church, email churches@worldvision.ca
AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse)
Glenn Peterson gave a word of thanks to Karen Bayley and Brenda Coble Impey for their work on AVA, helping with domestic violence training and advocacy across our country. Along with a team, they also refreshed the Handbook for Responding to Domestic Violence and Abuse. This is a resource that is available to pastors and church leaders.
SERVE GLOBALLY
ECUADOR
Natasha Westerhoud shared about our partnership with Santiago Partnership and missionaries, Joel and Kim Delp. She invited churches to consider joining the next trip, planned for November 2023. To learn more about the trip or ask questions, contact Natasha at natasha@mykasha.com
HAITI
Kirsten Waldschmidt thanked the churches for their generosity and partnership in Haiti, and that when we invest in food and leaders in medicine, we transform lives. Consider doing a fundraiser in your community. They have resources to help you plan a Haiti fundraising event.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE STUDY TOUR
Eric Hedberg and Sally Carlson will be leading the first trip since the pandemic this month! Eric invited people to consider joining the 2024 trip to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to meet with local leaders and learn about conflict and ministry in their area. The dates for the 2024 trip are May 26 – June 4, 2024.
MENA
Jeff and Darlene Anderson were leading a group of people in Egypt the same weekend as our AGM. They traveled to learn from partners on the ground how they love and care for “the other”. The video below was sent to us while they were overseas!
ALASKA
Marc Lantz shared an update on their families ministry serving youth and young adults in Alaska. The greatest need is discipleship and he asked for prayers for the people living in isolation and despair. They see young people hungering for Jesus and new life in Christ is evident.
DEVELOP LEADERS
CLERGY HEALTH
Rob Peterson shared about the increased investment in Clergy Health. As the Canada Covenant we are investing in our pastors, resourcing and caring for them though counselling, spiritual direction, learning opportunities, ministry coaching, etc.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Jason Charles shared about a new Internship Program to help with the leadership deficit we see in our community. This initiative will come alongside churches in identifying leaders within the church and providing the opportunity to develop their calling. There are developmental, financial, and one-on-one coaching components to the program.
THE WORSHIP PROJECT
Wonder is a one-day conference for pastors, worship leaders, musicians, songwriters, creatives and production teams. It is a space for those serving in worship ministry to grow in their leadership and develop a deeper theological and practical understanding of their role as a worshipper.
START & STRENGTHEN CHURCHES
CHURCH HEALTH
Rob Peterson also shared about investing in congregational health to help our churches flourish, asking the question, “Are you moving towards health?” A new initiative Moving Forward: Congregational Health resources will be available soon. Contact rob@covchurch.ca
CHURCH PLANTING
Jason Condon, the Canada Covenant Church Planting Team Leader, shared about the growth in church planting that we’ve seen in the last 10 years. We seek to see this growth multiplied with new churches and church planters.
EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH
Tammy Swanson-Draheim, ECC President, brought greetings and updates from the Evangelical Covenant Church. Tammy acknowledged many of the challenges that our churches are facing today, but called us to live into that reality and ask, “Where is God leading us now?” She encouraged us to live into a season of prayer.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
+ Bethany Abramson, Rob Horsley, and Marc Vandersluys were elected to the Canada Covenant Leadership Board.
+ The 2022 Financials were accepted as presented and approved.
+ The 2023 Budget was accepted as presented and approved.
+ Two pastors were affirmed for Ordination: Ira Carty (Transfer of Ordination to Word and Sacrament) and Alex Song (Ordination to World and Sacrament). They will be ordained at the ECC Annual Meeting/Gather in June 2023. Sixteen pastors were also affirmed for renewed licenses.
+ In 2022 a Bylaw Amendment was presented to provide greater clarity to the reality of hosting the Annual Meeting using electronic means. These amendments proposed were approved as this year’s meeting.
ANNUAL REPORT BOOK
PRESIDENT/SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
FINANCE AND BUDGET REPORT
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the highest constituted authority of The Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. As laid out in the Constitution and Bylaws, the AGM shall approve the admission and dismissal of congregations, elect or call persons to leadership positions, approve the budget of the ECCC, and conduct other business and make decisions necessary to the mutual work of the ECCC, affiliated institutions, and the ECC. There will be one regular session of the AGM each year.
Each ECCC congregation is entitled to send one or more delegates (please refer to Bylaws or delegate form) to the AGM. These delegates will join ministerial members, ECCC leadership board members, advisors, and delegates from affiliated ministries to conduct the business of the AGM. Delegates shall be a corporate member of the ECCC, serving a term that expires at the convening of the next AGM.