Cluster Lunches Life-Giving for Many South Bay Pastors
By Jim Gaderlund, Foothills Covenant Church
Posted June 9, 2008

From September through early June, the South Bay cluster of Covenant pastors, staff, and missionaries get together over lunch about once a month for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another in ministry. In recent years, the group has also welcomed numerous people who were exploring the Covenant and wanted a feel for pastoral relationships within the Covenant or answers to their questions about the Covenant.

The cluster met for their last lunch of this past season on Tuesday, June 3rd at Great Exchange Covenant's new facilities. Typically the two-hour connection begins with informal conversation over brown bag lunches - an important time for connecting with ministry friends or welcoming new attendees. Often cluster members pair up in prayer teams outside the monthly lunches, and so the lunch becomes a time to catch up on prayer concerns and how life is going. Given the shared sense of a common mission field among participants, informal connecting usually evolves into sharing ministry ideas that are being tried in one congregation that might work in another, or in simply inviting others to an activity that might be of interest.

If there is a formal aspect of these lunches, it has been focused on considering a question of shared importance to the ministries. Earlier this year, staff from two churches described how they welcome and assimilate new people and a broad discussion followed. An alternate discussion might ask participants to reflect on the biggest new developments they are having to take into account as leaders. The group then breaks into small groups of four or five to respond. These discussions have been a crucial time to take the pulse of the South Bay mission field, discover what R&D is happening in sister congregations, and learn the best sources for training and development.

Prayer has been a key part of the group, both at and outside of lunches. Most lunches end with a time of sharing followed by prayer for one another either in small groups or as a large group. At the June 3rd gathering, attendees prayed in small groups and then the whole group gathered around one cluster member who was facing a difficult decision.

Most in the cluster who participate in the lunches (which is most of the cluster) say they couldn't do ministry without the knowledge and support of their peers. These lunches are life-giving and sometimes life-saving. They're already looking forward to re-gathering at the kickoff Fall 24-hour retreat in September.

Kerman Covenant Church Undertakes Graffiti Abatement
By Debbie Shelton, Kerman Covenant Church
Posted May 23, 2008

"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for". -- The Message: Matthew 5:7

Barbara Nord, a member of Kerman Covenant Church, walked to her mailbox and was greeted with a new sight - her mailbox tagged with graffiti. She cared enough about the situation to scrub her mail box and write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper in which she asked, "How come we get jazzed about programs like "The Big Give," "Extreme Home Makeover," and others that give a hand to people and assist them in making a better life, while ignoring actions and conditions that spoil and devalue our own hometown? Maybe it's because we can sit in our easy chairs in front of our big screen TVs and cheer others on. We feel better because someone is helped and is happy and we didn't have to lift a finger!…"

Kerman has grown within the past few years. New subdivisions have developed, parks have been built, and schools are bursting at the seams. With the positives of growth have come some negatives - graffiti, trash abandoned on sidewalks and streets, and vacated homes and lots.

Mrs. Nord's concern about the community led to a special event sponsored by Kerman Covenant Church. On Saturday morning, May 17th, volunteers from Kerman Covenant Church and the City of Kerman gathered together at the KCC parking lot with a common purpose - to remove graffiti from mailboxes, signs and fences. Pastor Dan Shelton organized the event. He reported, "It was refreshing that Barbara was not just lamenting the problem but wanted to be part of the solution." In addition, he noted, "It was a joy to see volunteers from KCC and city officials (City Manager, Police Chief, City Council member and Director of Parks and Recreation) working side-by-side to help beautify our wonderful community." Teams went out into the Kerman community to clean graffiti off mailboxes and paint fences.

Indeed we are blessed when we care. We are blessed to have community members come together to be Christ's hands and feet in action. We are blessed to have individuals voice their concern. We are blessed to have leaders who listen to the concern and take action. We are blessed to live in a wonderful community that cares and will continue to care for generations to come.

Grace Community Covenant - Palo Alto Team to China
By Brian Wo, Associate Pastor, Grace Community Covenant Church
Posted May 1, 2008

From January 6-23, 2008, a team of five from Grace Community Covenant Church in Palo Alto traveled to China with International China Concern to work at an orphanage for disabled children. Our eyes were opened in new ways to the world of the truly abandoned and outcast. The hopelessness inherent in these childrens' situation was cause for much despair. We were assigned kids with autism, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, Downs syndrome and more. They lived in dismal conditions with minimal attention to their basic needs.

Yet we brought the hope of Jesus with us, and we experienced the privilege of spending focused time loving individual kids who desperately need hope, and we were imbued with grace that only God can provide. Our time with the kids was lived "at the center of God's very heartbeat," as team member Sarah Ago noted. The physical and emotional difficulties we faced during the trip were nothing compared to the reward of unadulterated joy with which the kids received us.

We returned with new perspectives, feelings and thoughts. We will have forever with us the laugh of Hao Hao, the face of La La, and the smile of Pei, along with the smells of disease and despair, the whimpering cries of babies, and the withered legs of the crippled. Our lives will never be the same as we begin to see the needs around us through the eyes of Jesus, and live with the confidence that God can use us to make a difference in the lives of the "least of these." The team included Sarah Ago, Sophak Pak, Jusson Koo, Eric Gruenberg and Associate Pastor Brian Wo.

LEADERSHIP EQUIPPING EXPERIENCES AT CELEBRATION 2008
By PSWC Staff
Posted April 25, 2008

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Youth Pastors' Connection, August 24-26, 2008, at Mission Springs Conference Center near Santa Cruz. The only cost to you will be your own transportation to/from Mission Springs.

Churches Pull Out Stops for Easter Crowds
By Stan Oklobdzija - March 24, 2008, Sacramento Bee

Patrick and Adeana Terrill and daughter Meagan get an Easter portrait taken by John Wallauch before Easter services at First Covenant Church in Rancho Cordova. They'll have to return for services next week to pick up the finished portrait.

Though it took no less than a miracle to get people in the door of First Covenant Church on Sunday, it's guys like Granite Bay's John Wallauch who make sure they come back next week.

With the pews packed all over the country Sunday for Easter - the day most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus - some local churches also used the day to showcase their centers of worship, hoping folks will see something they like and keep coming back.

First Covenant Church, near Folsom and Sunrise boulevards in Rancho Cordova, offered free family portraits, courtesy of Wallauch and some other volunteers. "Lots of people are here with their grandkids," he said, displaying the nearly 200 shots he'd snapped between Saturday night and Sunday morning services.
The portraits, which were printed and pasted onto large pieces of poster board, are available to anyone who comes back next Sunday to claim them after services, he said.

Along the way, explained Senior Pastor Ted Smith, people can see the merits of First Covenant, which is celebrating its ninth Easter at its expansive new facility. "We're a happy church. We're a warm church," he said.

So far, it seems to be working. Smith expected about 4,000 people to come through the church over the Easter weekend. Even with a new center, 12 full-time pastors and a paid staff of 28, the church gets cramped at times, said Director of Church Ministries Katie Nielsen. "It's a good problem to have," she said.

Another local church with no shortage of attendees Sunday was Granite Bay's Bayside Christian Church.
Kerry Shearer, a volunteer at the church, said estimates for weekend attendance were about 15,000 people.
"We're a church for people who don't like church," Shearer said.

The church features a massive sanctuary that holds about 2,400 people and comes complete with state-of-the-art video and speaker systems. "It's about being relevant," Shearer said. "You don't water down the message, but you make it accessible. … Jesus communicated to the current culture with methods and language they understood and that's what we're doing here."

Led by Pastor Lincoln Brewster, a 30-something with blond streaks in his faux-hawk who used to tour with Journey's Steve Perry, the standing-room-only congregation swayed back and forth, arms aloft, through the start of the 11:30 a.m. service. Brewster preached in a print T-shirt and blazer with a Fender Stratocaster hanging from his neck. His sermon mixed upbeat Christian rock with colloquial musings on the story of Jesus.
"He is risen," Brewster said, "If he's not risen, then we've got serious problems here."

The energy of the church has brought Amy Bem of Granite Bay back every Sunday since she first attended last Mother's Day. "Every time we do worship, I get a cold chill that I'd never felt before coming here," she said.

But the rock 'n' roll atmosphere didn't sit too well with Steve Purcell. Purcell, who just finished a six-month stint in Soledad Prison, is staying in Granite Bay and was looking for Easter services. He picked Bayside Christian Church because it's only about a mile from where he's staying. "I love God, but this place is kind of fluffy," he said. "I appreciate the effort to create an environment of freedom, but it's not too solid in other spiritual things."
Sitting outside the front door, Purcell said he'd originally planned on sitting through the service. "But now," he said, "I'm not so sure. It's a real nice day out."

Memorial Service on March 29 at Pasadena Covenant for Roy G. Johnston
By Catherine Barsotti
Posted 3/24/08

A memorial service for a long-time servant of the Pacific Southwest Conference, Roy Johnston, 94, will be held a Pasadena Covenant on Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. Johnston died on March 13.

A member of the Pasadena Covenant Church since a teen, Roy sat on the church council in various capacities for over 50 consecutive years, including 19 years as Sunday School Superintendent, a brief stint as janitor, and many terms as Chairperson. He also used his professional expertise in service of his church, denomination, and Christian organizations. He volunteered his engineering services in designing the sanctuary, the educational building, and the gymnasium of the Pasadena church. He gave of his expertise to both Alpine and Mission Springs Conference Grounds. While on the board of the Pacific Southwest Conference, he advised on the purchase of land and construction of new sanctuaries for a number of Covenant churches. He also designed the first buildings at Fuller Theological Seminary where his son, Rob, has served as a professor since the early 90s.

The son of Swedish immigrants, Roy was born in Chicago, but moved to Alhambra as a teenager where he contributed to his high school track and debate teams. In the Depression years, he boxed vegetables and mixed cement, but his goal from earliest memory was to be an engineer. Fortunately, his communication skills earned him a scholarship to the University of Southern California where he was the first and, probably only, engineer to make the debate team.

Following the completion of his structural engineering degree in 1935, Roy worked for consulting engineer Clyde Deuel. When war broke out, he became chief engineer at Lummus, designing refineries to support the military. In September 1945, Roy joined forces with George Brandow, a fellow USC Trojan, and founded Brandow & Johnston Inc., the structural and civil engineering firm where he practiced the profession he loved for the next 57 years, retiring in 2002 at the age of 88.

Brandow & Johnston has been responsible for the structural design of some 20,000 projects, including high-rise office buildings, hospitals, convention centers, universities, airports, schools, and industrial facilities. Among the firm's early achievements were the Los Angeles County Courthouse and Administration Building, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, the California Bank (first building over the 12-story height limit), and the Superior Oil Building (first all-welded structural steel building in Los Angeles). Later projects included the University of California Irvine campus, most of the modern USC campus, the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Bradley International Terminal at LAX and the Kaiser Baldwin Park Medical Center (one of many facilities for Kaiser).

Throughout his life, Roy served as a "mentor, inspiration and role model for many engineers." He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1981. He was recognized by his peers with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Construction Industries Committee Achievement Award in 1981, the USC Engineering Alumnus Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1982, the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering's Southern California Engineer of the Year in 1985, and the Structural Engineering Association of Southern California's Engineer of the Year in 1990. In 2000, the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering presented him its Lifetime Achievement Award, the only time this award has been given.

Roy's contributions outside the sphere of engineering were also noteworthy. Deeply appreciative of the opportunity for higher education which had been granted him, he served for twenty five years on the Board of Trustees at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, being chairman from 1972-1988. During this time (1973-1977), he also served as a Director of the Independent Colleges of Southern California.

Pre-deceased by his first wife Naomi, Roy is survived by his wife Lucille; his daughter, Judith; his son Robert, and wife Catherine; two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Margaret and her husband, Kevin; and a brother Paul and wife Lillian. Roy was the stepfather of Curt Peterson, Executive Minister of World Mission for The Evangelical Covenant Church. The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the building fund of the Pasadena Covenant Church or the scholarship fund at Westmont College, Santa Barbara.

To read article on the Evangelical Covenant Church page click here.

Closing Celebration at Grace Covenant (Sunago Grace) of Compton
By PSWC Staff
Posted 3/10/08

Celebration brings joy into life and joy makes us strong. The reality of this joy was mixed with moments of sadness as members and friends of Grace Covenant Church of Compton (Sunago Grace) gathered on Sunday, March 2, for the closing celebration of its 40 years of ministry. This church's place in the emergence of a mosaic of PSWC churches is notable. Grace Covenant Church of Compton was the first church in the PSWC to serve a predominantly African American congregation. In the late 60s, the vision of several Covenant laymen serving on the Rescue Mission Board opened the pathway for Robert Dawson, a lay pastor, to meet the PSWC Superintendent, Ed Larson, and the rest is history.

The gathering of persons representing past, present, and future was evidence of God's faithfulness through the generations. Lowell Edwards, worship pastor of Generations, a church plant in Gardena, with a team of musicians provided the worship music. Evelyn M.R. Johnson, Superintendent, led the service including testimonies and prayers offered by many of the worshippers. Mary Ann Owens from Atlanta, Georgia, brought greetings from her husband, Robert Owens, Superintendent of the Southwest Conference, and former pastor of Grace Covenant. Mary Ann also shared an overview of the history of the congregation. She and her family participated in the beginnings of the church in the late 60s.

Pastor Charles Patrick and his wife, Gwen, who have served the congregation since 1992 offered prayers for future ministries in Compton. The sermon was preached by John Teter, church planter of Fountain of Life which current serves the Long Beach/Compton area. The ministry of Fountain of Life having been launched less than two years ago is visible evidence of God’s provision for the continuance of the missional focus of Grace Covenant Church (Sunago Grace). Following the service a festive lunch prepared by member, Julie Allen, and time of fellowship was shared.

Andrew Wollitzer Installed as Pastor of Berkeley Covenant Church
By PSWC Staff
Posted 3/10/08

Offering praise to God for answered prayers, the Berkeley Covenant congregation joined in celebrating the installation of Andrew Wollitzer as their pastor on Sunday, March 9. Andrew who came to the church as college pastor in the early 2000s had served as the interim pastor during the transition period since Al Tizon's departure in June 2006. Although Andrew is a familiar face in their midst, both the congregation and Andrew experienced this installation as a significant marker. The 105 year old congregation enters into a new chapter now with an emphasis as stated by Andrew and the leaders to engage in ministries that are healthy, sustainable, and incarnational.

Journey to Mosaic – Our Journey Continues
By PSWC Staff
Posted 3/7/08

February 21-24, marked the 10th Journey to Mosaic experience in the PSWC, a four-day experiential ethnic immersion trip from Northern California to Southern California focused on providing a safe time and place for the church to talk about race realities in America that affect how we live and minister. Twenty-four participants shared in this rich experience including Invitation to Racial Righteousness trainers from across the country. Find out more about opportunities to bring the I2RR to your church from the Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice here (773.907.3368). Sign up now for the July 10-13 or September 25-28 J2M experiences by calling Nelly at 925.677.2140.

Spiritual Direction in the PSWC
By Jim Gaderlund
Posted 11/26/07

Twelve men and women from PSWC churches met for an overnight spiritual retreat on November 12-13. They make up most of the network of pastoral spiritual directors which is offered as a caring ministry to PSWC pastors, staff, and their spouses. They came to meet God in silence and worship and conversation so that in caring for their own souls they could better care for the lives and souls of our conference ministers.

With this retreat, the pastoral spiritual direction ministry observed it tenth anniversary of service in the conference. Pastoral care and encouragement has long been a top priority of the Pacific Southwest Conference. It has created a number of ministries to meet this need. One of those is the Pastoral Spiritual Direction network. Over ten years ago, the PSWC designated Associate Superintendent Ron Lagerstrom to give pastoral care to the conference's pastors. As Ron's retirement approached, a group of interested pastors and staff who had benefited from Ron's care assembled to explore ways to extend his ministry. Out of those first meetings the ministry of pastoral spiritual direction was born. Spiritual direction is an historic ministry in the Christian church that is being rediscovered. It is a ministry of listening, discernment and prayer in a confidential setting of encouragement and compassion. Pastoral spiritual directors serve as "companions on the journey" with other pastors. They offer "soul friendship" to help another recognize God's voice and respond to his presence.

Twice a year the network of pastoral spiritual directors gathers for 24 hours of training and practice to learn and improve their skills. These retreats are a form of basic training and continuing education for our directors. Recently the directors have decided that every third retreat will be purely a retreat - a time for directors to renew and refresh their relationships with God, hopefully as a model to others as the best kind of self-care.

Our team of pastoral spiritual directors is drawn from the pastors and laity of our conference, women and men who volunteer their time to encourage other pastors, staff, and clergy spouses. Over the ten year existence of the ministry, more than two dozen different people have served as members of our network. They have served well over 100 pastors, staff, and spouses in the conference as soul friends. Former members of the network who have moved to other conferences in the Covenant are now helping some of those conferences form ministry networks of their own.

If you would like to learn more about the PSWC ministry of pastoral spiritual direction please use the following weblink. http://www.pswc.org/images/Pastoral%20Spiritual%20Direction.pdf

Heroes, Every Day
By PSWC Staff
Posted 11/20/07

Six agencies and organizations were honored over the weekend by Bayside Church of Woodland led by pastor John Withem at Pioneer High School Theater, and were also given $200 to donate to their favorite charity. The organizations, represented from top-left, going clockwise: Sgt. Orrin Heatlie, Yolo County Sheriff's Department (M.A.D.D.); Mark Brooks and Richard Wirtz, Woodland Fire Department (Red Cross); Sgt. Derrik Kaff, Woodland Police Department (Yolo Wayfarer Center); M.C. Shaft, Veterans of Foreign Wars (Color Guard); and Officer Matt Stuller, CHP (Special Olympics). Not pictured are Yolo County's dispatchers, who were unable to attend. They donated to the Woodland Pregnancy Support Group.

Pastor Dan Schmitz Honored with Community Award
By PSWC Staff
Posted 10/23/07

Dan Schmitz, pastor of New Hope Covenant Church of Oakland was awarded a Community Service Award from the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) at their 32nd Anniversary Celebration Banquet on October 3 in Oakland, CA. Schmitz received the award for his work organizing tenants of the Oak Park Apartments, which led to a class-action lawsuit against the apartment's slumlord, and in 2000 ultimately insured affordable housing for tenants of Oak Park Apartments.

To hear Schmitz's acceptance speech click here.:

In this speech, Schmitz reports, "When I hear the story [being told] of Oak Park Apartments and how Russell and I made great sacrifices to live there, what I don't hear is how much we enjoyed living there, how much we were welcomed by a community of refugees who had endured the bombing of their country by our country. And despite being completely broken and without resources, they welcomed us into their life."

The 56-unit apartment complex housed mostly Cambodian refugees and Mexican immigrants and Schmitz reports, "I loved it!" He concluded the first portion of his speech by saying, "This award belongs to them."

Schmitz continued by naming others to whom the award belongs, including Russell Jeung, who for years lived with Schmitz in a 1 bedroom unit in Oak Park Apartments, and was in inspiration to Schmitz.

He ended with the following statement (that gets cut off on the video link), "As a pastor I would be remiss if I didn't mention God, who long before I got there, had cared about these people and wanted something better for them."

EBALDC is a community development corporation that develops affordable housing and community facilities focused on tenants and neighborhood residents, with emphasis on Asian and Pacific Islanders communities and the diverse low income populations of the East Bay. (www.ebaldc.org)

Bayside of Placerville Installs Lead Pastor
By PSWC Staff
Posted 10/22/07

It was a beautiful autumn morning in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas on Sunday, October 21st. This sun-soaked backdrop served as a perfect setting for Bayside of Placerville (formerly Sierra Hope Foothills Church) as they installed their new lead pastor, Brian Lopez. Greg Yee of the Pacific Southwest Conferennce led the installation service which culminated with the leadership team laying hands on and praying for Pastor Brian, his wife Rachel and three children. Mutual commitments between pastor and church were shared with joy and much anticipation. The church is continuing to think creatively about how to more effectively reach their surrounding communities. Pastor Brian aptly preached on how the congregation needs to learn to "Love at Any Cost," having compassion, taking real action, and making sacrifices. Following the service cake was served in celebration of this new season in Placerville. For more information about Bayside of Placerville click here.

Journey to Mosaic - an experience, not a tour!
By PSWC Staff
Posted 10/9/07

Thirteen participants experienced the ninth PSWC Journey to Mosaic (J2M) September 13-16. This journey was a challenging and inspiring experience designed to open the hearts and minds of persons seeking a glimpse into how we as individuals and the church can be more compassionate to and stand with people whom we perceive to be very different from ourselves. Through the use of videos, visits with people in various parts of the state and many intimate conversations among participants, we began to work through our own perceptions about race and class. We were further stimulated to dive into how these perceptions shape how the church reaches and relates to people.

Am I willing to allow my heart to be broken by the injustice and lack of compassion which is so evident in the world around me? This was a question that we as participants asked ourselves throughout the trip. One unintended danger surrounding this journey is to perceive the journey as a tour of different cultures and historical lessons. On a tour, one's participation is limited to being an outsider looking in. Often, when the tour is over, one's heart is left the same as it was before the tour began. From my perspective, Journey to Mosaic is better described as an experience because my heart has been further compelled to question what impact I can have to effect change in the lives of broken, lonely and lost people. More importantly, I am challenged with the task of helping others to sense this need to have their hearts broken in the same way.

Part of the experience for me included walking and talking with Gabriel, a 23- year-old farm worker who lives in Plainview, a predominantly Hispanic community in the Central Valley. Gabriel left school in the 10th grade in order to work the fields to help his parents. Now, as the primary care giver for two young children, he must work over 70 hours per week in order to make ends meet. When I asked him how much he earned, he told me that he earns approximately $7.50 per hour with no benefits and has not seen a wage increase in over seven years. He also showed me the make-shift backyard sanctuary that his community uses for weekly church services. They worship in the evenings because most people work during the daytime. Like Job, despite such hardship, he still yearns to worship, praise and honor God for his life. How could my heart not be broken to by such hardships many people like Gabriel face daily?

During the group conversations, I recall a few participants who shared how certain ill-perceptions of different people and cultures were shaped by well-intentioned upbringings. I believe that it was during these moments that God began to move within the vulnerabilities of our hearts in order to prompt the "breaking" that is so necessary for us to truly engage in compassion and justice ministry. These moments provided a glimmer of hope for how the church may begin to move forward in this way. When Christians are willing to have the courage to dive deep into their hearts and expose some of the darkness that lies within, we allow God to move within us and towards this mission.

We ended the journey on Sunday morning worship at Church of the Redeemer in Los Angeles with Pastor Danny Martinez. This worship experience provided hope for how we can build up a "Mosaic Mentality" as part of our individual lives through worshipping together. It was a taste of what worship might look like in heaven with people standing together, in community, as children of God irrespective of culture, race or class.

2008 Journey to Mosaic experiences are scheduled for February 21-24, July 10-13, and September 25-28. For more information about these experiences go to pswc.org and click on the bus, or call Greg Yee at 916.479.3544.

Iglesia del Pacto Turlock and Turlock Covenant Church Launch Joint Classes
By PSWC Staff
Posted 9/18/07

The first classes of the new joint Sunday school between Iglesia del Pacto and Turlock Covenant Church began Sunday, September 9. Approximately 60 children and youth attended and were served by teams of teachers representing both congregations.

For more information about this shared ministry contact pastor Samuel Galdamez at sgaldamez@sbcglobal.net or 209.620.0529 or interim pastor, Wes Swanson at 209.667.1191.

New Church Plant hosts Labor Day BBQ
By PSWC Staff
Posted 8/20/07

Edgewater Covenant, one of the new church plants this fall led by John Fanous and his wife, Beckie, held a Labor Day BBQ in the Antioch/Pittsburg area with assistance from more than fifteen volunteers from Outer East Bay churches - Hope Center (Pleasant Hill, CA) and The Creek (Walnut Creek, CA) as well as San Francisco State University (the context in which John has ministered with InterVarsity). John noted, "God gave us the resources to serve food to at least 106 people. Many people told me how much they enjoyed the BBQ, how pleasant it was, and I received comments like, 'Everyone is so welcoming!' " Participants were invited to an upcoming dessert on September 20.

John completed a three month church planter residency at Hope Center in August. In addition to the people support from Hope Center and The Creek, Hilmar Covenant and Dolores Park Covenant of San Francisco have provided financial support to help the Pacific Southwest Conference launch this church.

For more information about Edgewater Covenant go to www.edgewaterthechurch.org or contact John at johnf@edgewaterthechurch.org.

River Life Celebrates Pastor's Ordination
By PSWC Staff
Posted 8/20/07

Members and friends of River Life Covenant Church in Sacramento shared in a celebration of ordination honoring their pastor, Bud Locke, on Sunday, August 19. Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson led the affirmation service reflecting on the meaning of ordination and leading a time of reaffirmation of the vows taken at the Ordination Service in Portland, Oregon, in June. The chair of the church presented Pastor Bud with a gift of artwork from the congregation in recognition of this significant marker in his life. River Life Covenant was planted in 1998 with Pastor Bud as the church planter. Their permanent site purchased by the congregation several years ago is at 4401 A Street in Sacramento.

Canto Nuevo Covenant Celebrates 5 Years
By PSWC Staff
Posted 8/10/07

The joyful spirit of festivity permeated the room as members and friends of Canto Nuevo Covenant Church celebrated its 5th anniversary on Sunday, August 5, in Walnut Creek. Members of their partner church, Hillside Covenant, and representatives of the Pacific Southwest Conference joined in the celebration. The worship service included multiple worship music specials by individuals and groups from Canto Nuevo and the youth worship team from Hillside Covenant. Certificates were presented by Pastor Willy Franco and his wife to many members who have served in special ways as well as to persons who experienced "new birth in Christ" during these first five years. Jeff Reed, pastor of Hillside, preached the sermon focused on commendations for the Canto Nuevo congregation as a people who display humility, faith, joy, perseverance, and love. Celebration continued as all enjoyed a meal together.

Love Comes to the Killing Fields
By First Covenant Church Staff
Posted 8/3/07

What would you do if you met the people who had once imprisoned you and killed many of your family and friends? If you are Chamron Phal, associate pastor of First Covenant Church, Oakland, California, the answer is: "love them."

Accompanied by at team from First Covenant, including other Khmer speakers like himself, Phal has returned from a 3 week mission to his native Cambodia. From 1975-1979, the Khmer Rouge killed an estimated 3 million Cambodians, a horrific period of history known as the Killing Fields. Perhaps what most Americans do not know, is that the Khmer Rouge remains a part of the coalition government of the scarred country.

"We are sharing Christ with the Khmer Rouge. The fields are white unto harvest. Atheism and cruelty has left them with empty hearts. They are very open. But most are scared to travel to the Battambang Province where the Khmer Rouge are still in charge."

Pastor Chamron and the team saw first hand the transformational power of the Good News of Jesus Christ. On July 20, 120 Khmer Rouge celebrated their new life in Christ through being baptized in the Chamlong Kuoy River. Another 97 (not Khmer Rouge) were also baptized in the Sangker River.

Paul Wilson, lead pastor of First Covenant says, "Pastor Chamron is in the vanguard of a new movement of foreign born pastors serving in American churches. With the support of their local churches, Godly and gifted pastors like Chamron are being called to do the work of the kingdom in their native countries. The fruit is unlike anything we have been used to seeing."

Phal mentors a core team of leaders in Cambodia, even when in Oakland. Team meetings are held via telephone, usually begin at 1 a.m.

While on this recent trip to Cambodia, Phal also conducted leadership training experiences for 331 pastors and leaders. Humanitarian aid, including the installation of clean water systems was also provided by the team.

Wilson believes that "if we will listen to the vision and dreams of the new Americans who come to us from many continents, and serve them with our gifts and resources as they seek to minister to their countrymen both here in the U.S. and back home, we will see spiritual awakenings of the likes that we have not seen in our country for more than a century."

17 Sudanese Youth Baptized
By College Covenant Church Staff
Posted 8/2/07

College Center Covenant (San Diego, CA) shared an extraordinary day with their sister Sudanese congregation on Sunday, July 29. Pastor Tom Eisenman baptized seventeen young people from the Sudanese congregation who have been meeting in recent months with College Center youth for instruction. After the baptisms, children, youth and adults from both congregations enjoyed fellowship, shared foods typical to their cultures, and celebrated the event with an exuberant and fun time in the pool. John Quek, elder and current leader of the Sudanese Covenant Fellowship reports, "Yes, It was a meaningful Sunday for all of us. That Sunday was one of the wonderful days that a person needs to enjoy in life."

For more information about College Center Covenant or the Sudanese congregation call 619.582.0226.

Bayside Covenant Church of West Roseville has Life-Changing Baptism
By Bayside Covenant Church of West Roseville
Posted 6/29/07

When a mother and her teen-age daughter went for a day on the beach, little did they know it was going to be life-changing. While laying there enjoying the sun, their peaceful beach was suddenly swarmed by hundreds of people.

On Sunday, June 3rd well over 350 people from Bayside Church of West Roseville (B0WR) gathered at Folsom Lake to celebrate the baptism of over 125 people. As people clapped and cheered, children, adults, couples and whole families were baptized in the lake. Lead Pastor Chuck Wysong said of the baptism, "This was one of the greatest moments in my ministry so far. Baptizing men, women, children, teenagers that were far from God just one year ago and seeing them take the step to publicly declare that they are now followers of Jesus Christ was humbling. God is good."

On the beach, a mother and daughter were watching the activity. As the mother saw the excitement of people coming out of the water, and witnessed the cheering and hugs of their church family, she started to cry. When her daughter asked what was wrong the mother pointed to the Bayside group and said, "All my life I've wanted that." The daughter said, "Let's go get it." Soon they were asking if they could be baptized as well.

Pastor Linda Sommerville spent some time talking with the mother and daughter and learned that they were believers but had never been baptized and were not part of a church family. So, after an hour of patiently waiting their turn they, too, walked out into the water and were baptized together. Afterwards, members of the church surrounded them with the love of Christ, congratulating them, introducing themselves, and inviting them to church. Within days the daughter was going on a youth event and the next Sunday they were both at church. They came for a day at the beach and went home a part of a loving church family.

For more information about Bayside of West Roseville and their ministries go to www.baysidewest.com.

Rolling Hills Covenant Church Presents a Special July 4th Tribute To Armed Forces and Public Servants
By Rolling Hills Covenant Church Staff
Posted 6/25/07

During the weekend services on Saturday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 1 at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m., Rolling Hills Covenant Church (RHCC) will present "Freedom -A Musical Salute to Liberty," to honor all American military personnel and public servants, including members of law enforcement, firefighters, and medical workers who serve our country. In an effort to honor as many uniformed personnel as possible, all public servants and military officers living in the South Bay are invited to attend in uniform to be recognized during the service. A Marine Corps Color Guard from Camp Pendleton will present the colors during the service and serve as greeters. Pastor Andy Noch will share a brief message titled "God's 911 Call for America."

"Freedom" is a cross-generational musical that combines narrations with inspiring original numbers, patriotic favorites, and three powerful new songs: Avalon's "For Freedom," Dennis Jernigan's "I Salute You," and an exciting new arrangement of the official song for the 2004 National Day of Prayer, "Let Freedom Ring." The music will be performed by members of the Rolling Hills Covenant Church Sanctuary Choir, Gloryland Singers, Contemporary Worship Team, Orchestra, and Children's Ensemble under the direction of Dr. David Halverson. The audience will be invited to sing along to some of the patriotic songs.

Contributions at the end of each service will be given directly to the Navigators Ministry, an organization that works with military chaplains at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to reach the troops and their families for Christ. Led by Michael and Thelma Jacobs and with the support of RHCC, the Navigators will make the following available for the marines and their families: gifts of Bibles, books, discipleship training materials, conferences and marriage retreats, welcome home celebrations, RHCC's Annual Car Show (a fundraiser for Christmas for Our Troops), and assistance for military chaplains to provide a Christian spiritual environment for the marines and their families. .

Children's classes for nursery through kindergarten are available at all services. Parents needing more information are encouraged to call the Children's Ministries office at (310) 521-2541.

Rolling Hills Covenant Church is located at 2222 Palos Verdes Drive North in Rolling Hills Estates. For information or directions to the church, go to RollingHillsCovenant.com.

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