GRAND FORKS, ND (April 3, 2009) \u2013 Hope Evangelical Covenant Church celebrated its 30th anniversary Wednesday night with a prayer walk through the congregation\u2019s nearly completed worship center, as well as The Rock, the new youth center.
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\n![\"Prayer](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/xM\/fK\/xMfKhfqusLhC3DfcdjkITg\/Hope.jpg\")
Pastor Paul Knight had tears in his eyes when he addressed the gathering and acknowledged the sacrifices of the founders who \u201chung with us through changes that were not necessarily changes that they liked or appreciated.\u201d He added, \u201cThey gave up many of the pieces of the church that they loved for the sake of a broader mission and vision. Actually for the sake of many of you.”<\/p>\n
Led by Willi Benner, the minister of spiritual formation, the group toured and prayed through the facility. \u201cThey laid hands on chairs, walls – even a few of the young people hanging around the youth center,\u201d Knight says.<\/p>\n
Brenner recalls, “Praying over the chairs was the most moving parts for me. I was praying that people would no longer be robbed of intimacy with God, that they would find the freedom to be close to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The congregation wrote on the floor the names of people on their \u201cBringing My World to Christ\u201d lists. “The hope is that someday people whose names are under the carpet will be worshiping and praising God, letting him love them, loving him in return, and loving
\nothers in Jesus name,” Knight says.<\/p>\n
Hope will move into the worship center on Easter Sunday.<\/p>\n