By Chris Eltrich, Lead Pastor, Lettered Streets Covenant Church

On July 9th, 48 people from Lettered Streets Covenant Church ranging in age from 11 months to 65 years old, left on a journey to San Filipe Del Progreso, Mexico. One of the partners in our church grew up in San Filipe Del Progreso, and she and her husband lived there for a number of years doing ministry.

Having these familial and ministry connections proved to make our experience not only effective, but as Rick Steves might say, we were able to experience Mexico through the ‘back door.’

We were able to partner with two local churches, a local school, and one non-profit called, World Access Project (WAP). WAP collects donated wheelchairs, walkers, and canes from around the world and then refurbishes them and distributes them to people in Mexico who have need. WAP is a Christian organization that shares the gospel in word and deed. Our team was trained on how to fit people with the proper equipment to for their size, age, and lifestyle. Some of the people we were able to help serve, had never experienced an opportunity for personal mobility in their lives. You could sense the freedom and joy of a truly life-changing intervention.

On multiple occasions, recipients (or relatives of recipients) of mobility devises were so moved with joy that they spontaneously volunteered to work the rest of the day with WAP to help others. WAP also has ways to follow up with more in depth training for how to become more mobile along with discipleship opportunities.

We also partnered with two local churches by coming alongside them in activities they wanted to offer their local communities such as children’s festivals to bless local kids and families, marriage classes, a youth group night, and lots of worshiping together.

Finally, we brought a team of educators, behavior specialists, and a physical therapist to work with a local school. This school is an integrative school that has 40-60% special needs students at any given time, integrated with other students. The teachers took time off their summer break to host our team of educators and specialists and to learn form one another. They were so hungry to learn they asked for a second, unplanned day of training.

Perhaps one of the most significant and unexpected outcomes was the way our presence with our sisters and brothers in Mexico broke down barriers. Multiple locals expressed deep concern with the political rhetoric coming out of the U.S. toward Mexico. They also said that our presence, love, and camaraderie in ministry was priceless. More than anything we ‘accomplished’ our presence manifested the reality of an alternative kingdom that stands above the divisiveness of empires clashing, and political venom.

Thanks be to God!

By Erin Del Arca, Esparanza Viva Covenant Church

On July 13, the Pacific Northwest Hispanic Women’s ministry celebrated our summer women’s gathering, hosted by Creekside Hispanic Covenant Church. The event topic was Rise Up and Shine. The main speaker, Pastor María Esther Sandrigo, from Argentina, shared a powerful message with the Spanish-speaking women of our region. There were seven churches represented at the event and over 100 women in attendance. In addition to an encouraging and spirit-filled time of worship, led by Creekside’s Hispanic ministry, and teaching from Pastor María Esther Sandrigo, there were various workshops on a diversity of topics offered.

We continue to be encouraged by the response from the Hispanic women in our communities who express the desire to grow in their faith. We ask for prayers as we prepare for the upcoming women’s fall event which will take place on October 5th, and will be hosted by Iglesia Esperanza Viva at Kent Covenant Church.

El pasado 13 de julio, el ministerio de mujeres del noroeste pacífico celebró el congreso de verano, en la Iglesia Hispana Creekside. El tema del congreso fue Levántate y Resplandece. La conferencista invitada fue la pastora María Esther Sandrigo, desde Argentina, quien compartió una poderosa mensaje con las mujeres hispanas de nuestra región. Siete iglesias se hicieron presentes en el evento con una asistencia mayor de 100 mujeres. A demás de un tiempo de alabanza motivador y lleno del Espíritu liderado por el ministerio de alabanza del la Iglesia Creekside, junto a las enseñanzas de la Pastora María Esther Sandrigo, hubieron varios talleres con una diversidad de temas.

Seguimos estando animadas por la respuesta de las mujeres Hispanas de nuestras comunidades quienes expresan el deseo de crecer en la fe. Pedimos oración a nuestros hermanos mientras nos preparamos para el siguiente evento para mujeres Hispanas. Este será el congreso de otoño el cual se llevará a cabo el 5 de octubre en la Iglesia Esperanza Viva en las instalaciones de Kent Covenant Church.

By Zachary Carroll

I write this today to you all on the glorious day of Monday. So be prepared for the fact that this sounds like it was written on a Monday.

This past week I have been reflecting on the Emerge Retreat for young adults in the PacNWC. I looked through photos, went through my weird notebook trying to make sense of it, and generally scoured my terrible memory about what all happened. Three things stuck out particularly for me.

The first is the message and the music. Pastor Genesis, our worship leader, absolutely killed it. She let the Spirit guide her and it was felt and received strongly. Our speaker, Pastor Michael, brought a message of connecting to God, others, and justice. It was powerful and moving. I’m generally a huge skeptic. Messages and worship sessions like this fall into one of three categories for me. Deep and mature and real, overly preachy and emotionally manipulative, or just plain bland. This fell firmly into the first category. Probably a part of that had to do with references to Moana. Silly stuff like that helps ground it. For me personally, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I wasn’t quite prepared to be challenged in that way. It was exactly what I needed; judging from conversations of others, it was also what they needed. I feel that often in retreats I hear the same 4-5 messages. To hear one that was actually challenging and meaningful meant a great deal to me.

The second thing that really stuck was my interactions with other young adult believers (this is the weirdest age demographic). Hanging out with other groups than the one I came with helped me to better see what God was doing with our generation (especially in our region). I hung out drawing with a group from Ballard one evening, and seeing the sass and love inter-played with one another was incredibly encouraging. Hearing and experiencing people’s stories whilst coloring in owls was a true joy.

The final piece that was memorable was simply my experience with the environment. Cascades Camp and Conference Center is, as always, filled with rest and beauty; combined with the retreat itself, I got to experience a moment of peace in my otherwise hectic and crazy life. A particular moment was around a campfire late at night. The opportunity to hear laughter and stories as we listened to the fire crackle in the backwoods of Brightwood Station was serenity incarnate.

My reflections feel very distant from my current 1000 mile per hour life, but when I think of Emerge, these are the takeaways that mean so much to me. Other people might get something else, but this is what I got. This is probably going to read like a Mack truck drifting around a corner, but it’s my heart on it. Grace and Peace to you who managed to make it this far.

By Kay Marshall Strom 

Some years ago I wrote a book about the scourge of spousal abuse and how the church could help the victims.  I was saddened but not terribly surprised that a number of men insisted they were only teaching their wives to obey as the Bible commands. What amazed me was how many battered women said their pastors blamed them for their husband’s actions.  Absolutely shocking to me were the comments of pastors, who believed I was myself an abused woman.  What left me even more horrified was the comment of one who said, “Go home and be a good wife.  If he kills you, there will be a crown of glory for you in heaven.”

How excited I am that the Evangelical Covenant Church is facing down this all-too-common reaction to beating, belittling, and tormenting by family members.  Especially wives.

On May 11, 2019, Rev. Meagan Gillan led a well-publicized all-day AVA training at Shoreline Covenant Church in Shoreline, Washington.  Sixteen people, from six churches attended, including two senior pastors and three associates.  As we introduced ourselves, it was sobering to hear how many told personal abuse stories.  One was me, about my then seven-year-old daughter’s abuse at the hands of her Sunday School teacher.  He was a registered sex offender, a fact known to the pastors.

Meagan was an excellent leader.  She led us through a comprehensive and well- presented workbook, but she also taught beyond what was printed.  It was clear that she knew of what she spoke.  We came away understanding what constitutes abuse, and how we can respond appropriately. Meagan was expert at drawing us out and showing us how our churches can be safe sanctuaries and places of healing for the abused.

It’s a blessing indeed to know that the Covenant denomination is committed to raising awareness about abuse, which can show itself in various ways and places—including Christian communities.  All eight of the representatives from our church are signed up for the AVA Retreat to be held just before the I AM women’s Triennial in Minneapolis next month.

After the training at our church, the young woman next to me asked if we could talk.  Through flowing tears, she told of the abuse of her own daughter at the age of seven, including the ugly details, and the pain and guilt both she and her daughter have been carrying for years.  “You are the first person I ever told,” she said.  “No one else would have understood.”

Now there are people who will understand. Now there are churches committed to being safe sanctuaries and communities of healing.  Sixteen more people, from six churches in Washington state, are ready and willing.

[Click Here] for more info about Advocates for Victims of Abuse

[Click Here] for more information on Kay Strom and her books

By Elizabeth Winter, Shoreline Covenant Church

As believer in Jesus Christ, I have been inspired and honored to witness fellow believers walk in faith; within the Evangelical Covenant Church and within our Pacific Northwest Conference. Visible throughout, is a dedication to collaboratively and prayerfully engage faith into action, consistently heart-felt and exceptional. Also exceptional is the reverence in serving God through an inter-generational and multi-cultural missions-based faith. The positive and lasting impact on the world, through regional, national and international missions is substantial and, affirms a steadfast belief in the power of Jesus Christ as our Lord.

The relationship between regional, national and international missions is significant, and one I had the opportunity to experience personally, this past Spring; through organizing a World Vision Global 6 Kilometer walk/run for Clean Water. The event was focused towards raising awareness and funds for World Visions Water Projects in the D.R. Congo. In organizing the event for our church, located in a city north of Seattle, Washington, I found tremendous inspiration in seeing inter-faith collaboration, entrepreneurship and multi-cultural ministry taking place throughout our Conference. Clearly the Pacific Northwest Conference is dedicated to cultivating communities of worship and communities of fellowship while ministering to those in need and seeking justice of the oppressed. I felt a clear and defined sense of belonging within the Conference, as my church, along with so many others, embarked on a day of love, mercy, doing justice and serving globally. As a Conference, uniting in furthering the “Vision for Mission” within the Evangelical Covenant Church. As a Conference, the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, each with their own unique history, geography and demographics; collectively put faith into action for the benefit of World Visions Water Projects.

The four states within the Conference presented a united model of inter-faith collaboration, enthusiasm, entrepreneurship and multi-culturalism, in planning and hosting a World Vision Global Walk for Water. Inter-faith-collaboration was evidenced through an event route proceeding past many churches to allow participants to join the walk at any location and to walk a distance most convenient for them; with a gathering and awarding of medals at a City Park after the event. Enthusiasm was evidenced through the value one person can have on making a positive impact; with individuals, families, neighborhoods and home-school-groups, organizing walks. Entrepreneurship was evidenced with an entire city organizing a city-wide walk, with involvement by City Hall and Chamber of Commerce. Multiculturalism was evidenced through many third-world immigrants and refugees being interviewed as an element of the promotion for the respective events. All of which cultivating communities of inter-generational and multi-cultural fellowship and worship within the many event throughout the conference.

My own experience in participating in a World Vision 6K was enlightening. I had the opportunity to meet fellow participants who spent years as missionaries in the D.R. Congo along with immigrants and refugees from Kenya and the D.R. Congo, as well. I gained a greater understanding for the value clean water has on the ability to minister and care for those in third world countries. I also gained a greater understanding for the time involved in obtaining water and the level of physical fatigue, illness and personal depravation which occurs when one is required to drink unclean water. I learned of World Vision’s successful work accomplished in the D.R. Congo for improving hygiene, sanitation and education involving self-care, integrated with providing sustainable clean water. World Visions work in providing clean water have consistently been paralleled with increased economic stability, increased provision of health care, increased provision of quality education and an increase in children’s literacy skills, within the respective areas throughout the world where World Vision works to provide clean water.

I look forward to the 2020 World Vision Global Walk for Clean Water, and I feel strongly the lives of so many in need are being improved daily, as a result of World Visions’ global efforts.

[Click Here] to learn more about the Global 6K for Water and World Vision

By Stephen Bjorlin, Pastor, Irvington Covenant Church

Irvington Covenant Church recently celebrated their 30th anniversary as a congregation. Friends of ICC came together on a Sunday morning to worship, remember, and celebrate all that God has done.

The celebration included guest speakers Pastor Jim Sequeira, Pastor Stephanie Mathis, and Pastor Stephen Bjorlin. They were also honored with the presence of their founding pastor, Henry Greenidge.

Irvington Covenant Church remains a diverse community committed to love and justice in the city of Portland. Here’s to 30 more years!

[Click Here] for more information about Irvington Covenant Church