Continued Regional Development
There have been many exciting things to report in regard to the national Covenant
Brethren Church, but that is not the only place where great things have been
happening. We have had some wonderful mission and disaster trips. We continue to
see new churches added including two possible churches in Central America. Our
partnership with Samaritan’s Purse continues to grow as we work through them to
support those devastated by the earthquakes in Turkey and those recovering from
hurricanes in Florida with the message of the Gospel being kept central at every turn.
These things and so many more are cause for excitement. There are many things
happening on a more local level that add to that excitement.
New regions are forming, and
established regions are working hard
with activities and plans. One such step
forward is the newly elected executive
committee (pictured right) in the recently
formed Central Blue Ridge Region.
These leaders are excited to see their
region become organized and continue
to grow. They will be working on
developing their sub-committees and
developing their regional conference.
There are many opportunities for their
churches to be involved in ministry.
In the Central Allegheny Region, ministry teams are being filled with people excited to
serve Christ in that region. A strong budget has been adopted, and the majority of the
regional churches have already sent their support. The Humanitarian Relief Team has
completed some projects and it is in the process of evaluating other opportunities. Work
is being done at camps Galilee and Hope. A pulpit exchange Sunday has been planned.
Visiting pastors will bring representatives from their local church along with them to build
regional bonds between churches. A “Calling the Called” program has been developed
to identify and call new people into fulland part-time ministry. The Prayer Team
has developed a new Facebook page
where people and churches from the
region can list prayer needs. The Prayer
Team has promised to pray for those
needs. regional leaders have traveled to
local churches to help with a variety of
issues and were warmly received. A
significant number of people from the
region have participated in foreign and
home mission trips. In summary, the Central Allegheny Region is a very active region
that sees nothing ahead but possibilities.
The Southern Region has been heavily involved in both
international and domestic mission activities in addition
to their regular yearly ministries. One of their mission
projects involves ministers Pablo Cumplido and Lidia
Castaneda who brought the Word of God and needed
food to the people of Guatemala during their recent
mission trip. Their Mission Committee put together and
distributed 150 backpack kits for the homeless. This has
been a much-needed ministry during this winter with the
brutal cold temperatures.
We also received word from Region Three in Pennsylvania. This region currently has 11
churches and has one waiting for approval from the executive board. This year they will
sponsor their second annual regional meeting on October 7th. They are exploring ways
to grow and are developing a regional website that will offer hosting and information to
the churches of their region. They have developed 5 regional teams to work on growth
and development of the region and to offer continual growth for their pastors. Their goal
is to be unified around the Word and the love of Christ.
Finally, we want to congratulate the Covington
Community Church in Covington, Washington.
During this Easter season they will celebrate 85
years as a congregation, and also 70 years in
their current building. Though they are far
removed from us geographically they are in our
thoughts and prayers as they move forward in
serving Christ. If you would like to send them a
card of encouragement, you can mail it to
Covington Community Church,17455 SE Wax
Rd, Covington, Washington, 98042.
As work continues in all of the regions and as new churches come into the Covenant
Brethren Church they all ask that you continue to pray that those in leadership would be
found faithful, passionate in their work and seek to glorify God in all that they do.
Craig Howard – CBC Publication
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