A mosaic of churches working interdependently together to transform lives and communities
By Jill Riley, Communications Assistant
If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Josh Cramer and hear about Resurrection Covenant, here’s your chance! Enjoy this conversation between he and Jill Riley. Josh talks to us about his call to start Resurrection Covenant, how the church is growing and about the culture of Boise, Idaho.
By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries
Introducing Darren Begay, the new SLAM Trips Director at Mending Wings. In this 8 minute video you will hear Darren’s and learn how SLAM (Students Learning About Missions) Trips provide an opportunity for native young men and women to be discipled while they help lead groups through service and learning opportunities on the Yakima reservation. This is a great, local opportunity for students in our conference to participate in!
By Greg Yee, Superintendent, PacNWC
In a short video introduction, Superintendent Greg Yee shares about upcoming retreats and events that you and your church are invited to attend. He also shares from his heart his recognition that we live in tumultuous and uncertain times. Following the video, he writes about his father challenging us with the question, “What anchors your soul?” Please watch and read more to encourage you.
My parents are in the process of moving out of their home of 59 years. Among the rich memories attached to my childhood home, Oakland has been the center of my family’s story for four generations.
As I sorted through my father’s files, I uncovered a treasure trove of keepsakes—his Army dog tags, a reel-to-reel audio recording of my parents’ wedding, original building campaign materials and blueprints from my home church, copious notes on random topics, and yes, even tax instruction booklets from the 1990s! Oh my!
One of the most precious discoveries was an autobiography he wrote for a school project in 1947. He was just sixteen. It offered a glimpse into his early years—memories and reflections he never shared. My father has always been a private person, and I was rarely privy to his inner thoughts or feelings. What an incredible joy and blessing it was to gain this unexpected insight into his life.
This family treasure reminds me of the even greater treasure we have in Scripture—the revelation of our Heavenly Father. God chooses to make Himself known to us in many ways, but most profoundly through His Word. We believe Scripture is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. In it, we don’t just find knowledge; we encounter divine truth.
Friends, what truth anchors you today?
In a season of deep division and chaos, the truth we hold onto is that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). The truth that gives us hope is Jesus’ promise to make all things new. Our souls are strengthened by the reality that the Holy Spirit “hovered over the chaos,” and together, Father, Son, and Spirit brought order out of it (Gen 1:2)
This is our truth. This is our hope. This is how we walk forward. We do not despair. Even if our bodies—or even our world—seem to be wearing away, our inner selves are being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Our church is being renewed today. So let’s not stand frozen in fear or uncertainty.
This is the day the Lord has made—let us rejoice and be glad, especially when life feels chaotic and hard. That’s the kind of God we worship. Even when the altar is drenched in water, fire still falls (1 Kings 18:25-39).
Grace and peace to you today, Conference Family. God is good. All the time, God is good. Yes, he is.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
New to the Covenant, NextGen Pastor Sara Hwang of Encounter Church had the opportunity to go to her first Midwinter in January. She shares her reflections of the time in Denver and about the excitement of her growing relationship with our denomination is going,.
Visit the MIDWINTER WEBSITE for more info and links to all of the session videos
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
We to talk with Monty Harmon about the upcoming Men’s Retreat on March 21-23. Monty invites men of every generation to come enjoy Cascade Camp and Convention center, fun activities, man s’mores, and learning from God’s word. David Johnson will be teaching about how to walk through life with grace.
Visit our Covenant Men’s Retreat Event Page For More information
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Pastor Dawn introduces a new prayer series called “Loving God, Loving Prayer”. This six week/once a week gathering, will feature guests from around the conference talking about how prayer has changed their church and will include a shared reading experience. This is a great opportunity for you and your church members to be renewed and inspired during Lent. Contact Dawn with questions.
For more information
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Jill Riley had a wonderful conversation with Pastor Lynette Sanchez of Countryside Community Church in Sherwood, Oregon. Lynette is the Children’s pastor and shared about the many baptisms the church was able to celebrate over this past year. Thank you, Lynette, for encouraging us and reminding us of the joy in celebrating the sacrament of baptism.
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Superintendent Greg Yee shares thanks to churches for sending their teams to Midwinter. He also shares more of his family’s immigration story and about current immigration realities. How does the church posture itself in a shared response to this crisis?
Covenant Spanish-language Bible Institute CHET is hosting a bilingual workshop on February 1st to equip you with practical approaches. Registration is available here.
We will cover the constitutional rights of churches in the context of immigration enforcement on church premises, what to do if congregation members are detained, what has changed in immigration law, and who is affected. (Led by a licensed attorney & professional member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)). Bilingual Session: Spanish & English
Se abordarán los derechos constitucionales de las iglesias en el contexto de la aplicación de la ley de inmigración dentro de sus instalaciones, qué hacer si los miembros de la congregación son detenidos, qué ha cambiado en la ley de inmigración y quiénes se verán afectados. (Sesión dirigida por abogado licenciado y miembro profesional de la American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)).
Immigration is one of the most complicated issues of our time. Voices on all sides argue strongly for action and change. Christians find themselves torn between the desire to uphold laws and the call to minister to the vulnerable.
In this book, World Relief staffers Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang move beyond the rhetoric to offer a Christian response to immigration. They put a human face on the issue and tell stories of immigrants’ experiences in and out of the system. With careful historical understanding and thoughtful policy analysis, they debunk myths and misconceptions about immigration and show the limitations of the current immigration system. Ultimately they point toward immigration reform that is compassionate, sensible and just, as they offer concrete ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.
Available at the Covenant Bookstore
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
The PacNWC welcomes Jen Plemmons, the new Children’s Ministry Director at Shoreline Covenant Church. Jen is a full time middle school science teacher who has a passion for reaching kids for Christ. Her goal is have children want to learn about Jesus on their own! We are cheering you on Jen!
By Jill Riley, Assistant Communication Director of the PacNWC
Spiritual directors, Pastor Chris Eltrich and Cindy Reed, take time this week to share with us a little bit about what spiritual direction is and about the amazing network of directors in the PacNWC. They also give us some information on free spiritual direction for pastors and spouses, and church staff made possible by the conference.
To give to disaster relief (Pasedena Covenant Church)