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God has been moving mountains in our midst. As of May 1, 2006 God's grace and your gifts have allowed us to continue to move mountains in ministry and to change lives. We have completely paid off our mortgage and paid off our debt! We are debt free and can fully use our funds for ministry.

We're Moving Mountains

What have we wanted to accomplish when all is said and done?

Our goal: cntinue to bring our church family into unity - to share a vision for what God is doing and what He calls us to do in ministry. We will now be free to use resources for ministry.

How did we reach our goal?
Through the hard work of our leaders who have caught the vision for ministry here at Covenant Life, through God’s grace, and by means of people humbling themselves and asking God to work in and through them.
1. Our people prayed, trusting God to work in our midst.

2. Our family opened their eyes to all God is doing in our church family. His power and grace in our ministry and lives is a major motivator.

3. Our congregation examined themselves and to see where they have time or funds to contribute to this ministry. And you GAVE!

All in all, what we have wanted to see is changed lives. The financial goals were secondary to the goal of watching God’s people grow and change as together. We rose to the challenge of continuing to move mountains in ministry for His glory.

What are some of the mountains God is moving in ministry?

• God has lit a fire in our Student Ministry (Middle School, High School, and College/Career

• God has doubled our Christian education attendance in the last few years

• We have started a new Wednesday Night Family Ministry

• We've added special activities for retired members of our church family: Merry Methuselah's
• DivorceCare is an outreach ministry of our church touching those who are hurting
• An amazing Ministry of Mercy Outreach (from feeding the Homeless on Wednesdays, to providing food and clothing for Mothers Helping Mothers), and much more.
• A library and bookstore used by many of our families

Click here for some fun "Moving Mountains in Ministry" Photos

These are only a few of the areas we've highlighted to show you the ways in which God is obviously working. Numbers do not tell the entire story, but certainly demonstrate God is bringing people our way. Our calling is to hold out the good news of Christ and shepherd people who come our way. That's our goal.

What are some of the ministries that we can proceed with (since the debt is gone)?

Let me give you some examples:

• Daycare ministry (effective for both outreach and inreach)

We have already begun here with the opening of the doors of our

Little Explorer's PreSchool (formerly called: Mother's Morning Out)

• Church planting

by cooperating with our Presbytery (together with them, can we plant two churches per year?)

• Family picnic, sports, and playground areas

We have provided such an area immediately off the basketball court. We have three

picnic tables on a nice piece of flat and mulched ground. A perfect spot for a picnic.
• Hiring of a Coordinator of Production Ministries

• Starting a Saturday evening service

• Hiring of a Director of Women's Ministries

• We would like to increase our annual missions giving from 10% - 12%

• The Student Ministry is growing

We have hired Brian Reese full time and Nathaniel Edison part time to round out our Student Ministry staff

Waiting for the future . . .

• Full time Music Director (orchestra, handbells and third service)
• Church and Family missions trips

• Full Time Women's Ministry Director

We’re growing in ministry to youth and families to the extent that we will eventually need larger student ministry rooms and even, in the future, a recreation center or we might be able to retro fit the present auditorium as a recreation center and build a worship center.

How much can we dream? What can the Lord do with you and through you as a result of unleashing the potential God has in store for Covenant Life?

Our Overall Goals

#1: Unity in mission, vision, and commitment to our Church family

#2: Unity in commitment to prayer

#3: Deeper resolve to use our time and gifts to the glory of our God

Looking back:

Our Original Specific Financial Goals:

~~#1: $50,000 by June 30, 2003~~:

Accomplished! Unfinished classroom (Rm 131) completed as of Sept 2003

We provided funds to finish 1300 square feet of unfinished classroom space (augmented by volunteer workers as appropriate).

~~#2: $1,000,000 in mortgage reduction (to continue to free resources for ministry~~)

:Accomplished as of Jan 2005

~~#3: $50,000 For Site Development Wor~~k (after the mortgage was reduced by the $1,000,000 mentioned above)

Completed: acoustical renovation/modification of auditorium: $25,000

#4: Pay off Balance of Mortgage

~~As of June 30, 2005 our balance is about $840,000~~

~~As of August 30, 2005 our balance is about $760,000~~

~~As of January 1st 2006 our balance is $399,900~~

~~As of March 16th 2006 the balance is $235,00~~0

~~As of April 20th, 2006 the balance is $30,000~~

As of May 1, 2006 we are DEBT FREE!

This eliminates the $12,500 monthly expense and will allow expansion of:

Ministry Staffing
Ministry Tools
Ministry Activities
New Ministries & Outreach

Click here for some fun "Moving Mountains in Ministry" Photos

Moving Mountains Leadership Team

Director: Stu Turnbull

Administrative Team: Cliff Seeds, Ramey Martin, and Bill Dorman

Information Technologies: Rick Drass

Media: Craig Lewis and Jim Cerny

Personal Communications: Ed Wilson and Ramey Martin

Invitation: Ray Crozier and Ann Opdycke

Leadership Rally: Vikki Ciotti and Penny Johnston

Celebration of Ministry Banquet: Barb Hall

Prayer: Paul Carter

Follow-up: Robert Bell and John Gary