Who we are

We encourage and equip members of the body to grow and mature in the faith by following the example of Jesus Christ through the study of Scripture.

Discipleship is a lifelong process of learning and teaching, mentoring and being mentored. We have the undeniable privilege and responsibility both to be teachers and students of what it means to be in Christ, walk in the spirit and live by faith. We have a role in our family, church and community that requires us to embrace specific accountability to bring people to maturity in the faith by learning, teaching and mentoring and nurturing.

We are committed to spreading and preaching the gospel of salvation in order that men and women can be saved from sin.

As Children of God we want to see everyone saved (I Timothy 2:3-4). People will be lost forever if they do not have the gospel preached to them, giving them the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior (Romans 10:13-15, 17). As Christ’s followers, we are humble but diligent in spreading this good news throughout our sphere of influence, and in sending others to carry the message afar. The Holy Spirit directs us to be persons prepared to receive the gospel and empowers us to share this triumphant news. We will be successful in our efforts because we are obeying God’s commands, and it is His will that none should perish (II Peter 3:9); He gave His Son that all might receive everlasting life (John 3:16-17).

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.We are committed to developing every household into a training center of Christian faith.

A life of peace and blessing is most likely when one’s family lives in harmony with the will of God. Acts 16:29-34 shows us that the formerly unbelieving jailer and his household were offered salvation. Joshua 24:15 affirms that the family is to be the key social group within which spiritual commitment and growth are fostered. Please note that the jailer had servants as well as blood family members in his household. God gave us the structure of man, woman, and their children from the beginning. Children are molded by the example set by their parents. What better place to train people in the ways of the righteous? As we are nurtured, blessed, and taught by our Everlasting Father, so are we to minister to our earthly children, spouse and other family members. Children may minister to siblings and parents. Students, roommates, etc., may have the privilege of sharing the gospel with persons unsaved. The objective is that each household is a fortress of discipleship and faith.

We encourage members of the body to fast. (Psalm 69:10, Isaiah 58, Matthew 17:21, Matthew 6:18, Luke 4, Acts 14:23)

Fasting and Prayer are petitioning for divine intervention (Psalm 69:10). Biblical instruction will guide parishioners in understanding that willfully not eating food though it is available, in conjunction with a healthy prayer life, is a combination healthy for the mind, body, emotions, and spirit (Romans 8:26). Following Christ’s example in Luke 4 as He prepared Himself for temptation by disciplining Himself in fasting, we also celebrate this essential discipline. We also know that some things only happen by “prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).

We are committed as a body to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit and to operate in the gifts of the Spirit.

Inherent in the worship fiber of Covenant Church is belief in the power of the Holy Spirit and His activity in the world today. We believe and practice the Gifts of the Spirit: Motivational (Romans 8:6-8), Ministry (Ephesians 4) and Manifestation (1 Corinthians 12). We prayerfully teach believers to be led by the Spirit. We believe that God hears our prayers and that He is active in our lives, leading and directing us through the Holy Spirit.

We are a people devoted to prayer.

The centrality of prayer is essential to the character of a body as mortar is to building blocks. Covenant commits to teach and practice prayer. Discipleship will incorporate training on when and how to pray. Emphasis is to be placed on types of prayer: corporate and private, praise, thanksgiving, intercessory, repentance, etc. Instruction includes praying silently, praying aloud, and other forms of prayer. Prayer is petitioning for divine intervention.

Prayer gathering is offered on Wednesday evening 6:30-7:00pm in Room 519. All are welcome to join.

We have direct access to God and a responsibility to function within our spiritual giftedness.

The phrase “Priesthood of believers” does not imply that every believer is a priest in the place of Aaron and the Levites. It does, however, assert that believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11) and that we can approach the throne of God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). As priests, we are to offer spiritual sacrifices (I Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15) and to exercise the ministry of reconciling men and women to God (II Corinthians 5:19). Believers become priests at the new birth and are charged to grow to maturity by feeding on God’s word (I Peter 2:1-5). The “priesthood” is to be holy, and be vessels of honor to God (I Peter 2:5). The “priesthood” is a servant attitude of ministering to others.

We recognize the organic, relational nature of the church as described by Paul in first Corinthians 12:12. The value of relationships and mentoring in the body of Christ is essential to a holistic approach to the family of God.

The metaphor of “the body” is foundational to the teaching of who and what the Church is to be. True fellowship is an integral part of proper functioning of a local congregation. Each of our relationships, first with God, and second with one another, must be intentionally nurtured.

We are committed to serve people as Jesus Christ came to serve.

The testimony of our faith is manifested through acts of service to all people. We are taught in James 2:14-26 that faith without works is dead. Our good works are, in fact, an evidence of our faith. Throughout His ministry, Jesus provided excellent examples of a servant’s heart by washing the feet of His disciples in John 13, and by His teaching in John 13:12-15. Further, He taught in Matthew 25:35-46 that service to the needy is the work of His righteous ones, and leads to God’s blessings. We are to serve others as we would like to be served (Matthew 7:12). To the extent that we are blessed with gifts and goods by God’s grace, we are instructed to use these gifts and goods to serve others (I Peter 4:10).

We are committed to developing and nurturing small fellowship groups.

We encourage each parishioner to become a member of at least one small group. The Church is composed of small groups of persons intimate in fellowship and faith. The development of spiritually mature small groups helps grow the context of the larger community. Small groups are essential for discipleship and developing experience in ministry.

We are people of different colors, nationalities, ethnicities, and cultures. The invitation to all peoples to be part of the Body of Christ paints a scriptural picture of God’s people.

Christ’s command to go, share the gospel, baptize, and make disciples is without exception as to language or culture. We are empowered to take the gospel to our community and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

We are committed to recruiting, training, empowering, engaging and rewarding dedicated volunteers to serve in the house of the Lord.

The fundamental philosophy of a volunteer driven church is that staff members are employed to recruit, train, empower and assist volunteers. The Biblical model is volunteer-based as shown in the above description of the Servant Heart DNA. (1.3.10). Every believer has the intrinsic need to practice faith in outward ways of compassion and generosity that are characteristic of Christ. Failure to function in this volunteer manner leads to spiritual atrophy. Paid staff members also have the inherent responsibility to go beyond “paid” performance. Staff responsibility is primarily dedicated to training and leading volunteers. The success of the volunteer based approach is a sense in the body of volunteers being the “glue” and “oil” that contributes to a healthy ministry.