We are interested in knowing your picks for the year – and they may not have made our list, which is fine. To review the year’s stories, go to the online News Archive (link also will be found on the home page) and scroll through the monthly folders for 2007. Then, let us know your choices by emailing us at Covenant Newsdesk. Please include a brief explanation of your choices and include your full name, city and state, so that we can share our reader responses.
If you would like to keep abreast of the daily news developments and not miss a single important story, then sign up for Covenant Newswire. This free news headline service delivers a single email each day containing the headlines and a few lines of copy for each story published during the previous 24 hours.
Following are the top stories for 2007.
Peterson and Thorpe Escape Death in Congo
In March, Curt Peterson, executive minister of the Department of World Mission, and Roger Thorpe, a retired Covenant medical missionary, nearly lost their lives during days of violence in Kinshasa, Congo. The department instituted a travel ban on church groups traveling to Congo, but rescinded it by the end of the year. Covenant News Service and “The Covenant Companion” assembled a special report on the ordeal.
Covenant Bible College Closed
After 66 years of ministry, Covenant Bible College closed all its campuses effective May 31. Declining enrollment and increased costs forced the decision.
Transitions at Denominational Offices
In June, delegates to the 122 Annual Meeting elected Debbie Blue to become the first executive minister of the new Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice.
In July, President Glenn Palmberg announced his resignation effective this coming fall, when he will have served 10 years. At the time, Palmberg said, “One of the goals when I was elected president was to establish a new Department of Compassion, Mercy and Justice, and I was able to see that dream fulfilled.”
Kurt Miericke concluded 16 years of service as superintendent of the Southeast Conference, and Robert Owens was elected to replace him.
Triennial XII Attracts 1,100 Women
In August, women from Covenant churches around the world met together in Chicago. The three-day event included the baptism of a Chinese convert who traveled from the Asian nation. Women also raised more than $40,000 for women ministries work.
I-35 Bridge Collapse Affects Covenanters
A member of First Covenant Church in Minneapolis crossed the Interstate 35 bridge just seconds before it collapsed on August 1. Other Covenanters were among the first emergency workers at the scene, continuing to care over the coming days for people who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
Wildfires Force Covenanters to Evacuate
Many Covenanters were among the nearly one million people forced from their homes when wildfires spread across Southern California. Fires came within blocks of the Alpine Camp and Conference Center before shifting direction. Residents of Mount Miguel Covenant Village spent several nights at shelters or other care facilities.
Family Inspires in Aftermath of Kelsey Smith’s Murder
The kidnapping and murder of teenager Kelsey Smith in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, drew international attention. Smith’s family attends Hillcrest Covenant Church in Prairie Village. Kelsey’s parents, Greg and Missey Smith, have inspired others throughout the tragedy.
Church in Spain Temporarily Closed
Authorities in La Coruna, Spain, eventually allowed Vida Nueva Covenant Church to reopen after barring the congregation from meeting in its facility in a dispute over alleged code violations.
Church Adopts Haitian Village
A four-part series shared how the death of Jeremy Doyle in 1998 led to new life for hundreds of people in his hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, and as far away as a small village in Haiti.
Campolo: “Start taking Jesus seriously”
The remarks of Tony Campolo during a chapel at North Park University resonated throughout the denomination.
Ministry of Rev. Jerry Mosby Remembered
At his funeral in November, Covenanters across the country recalled the pioneering work of pastor Jerry Mosby in helping begin the transformation process within the denomination into a multiethnic community. He also was the first president of the African American Ministers Association.
