By Don Meyer<\/p>\n
CHICAGO, IL (August 24, 2007) – Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive a few comments from readers on stories published as part of the Covenant online news report.<\/p>\n
We will share from time to time some of those responses generated through the \u201ccomments\u201d link attached to each published story. This kind of feedback is very helpful to our Covenant News Service staff as we seek to identify and publish stories of great interest to a broad spectrum of online readers of this report.<\/p>\n
Following are comments relating to recently published stories, edited in some cases for length. To read a particular story of interest, click on the headline.<\/p>\n
World Relief Acts to Help Earthquake Victims<\/p>\n
Bob Songer<\/em> of Salina, KS, writes: Our pastor of hispanic ministries, Dario Vasquez, lost members of his family in the quake. We are sad for his family and the rest of the families of quake victims, but we can take heart in what Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that in me you have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”<\/p>\n Lafayette Church \u2018Adopts\u2019 Village<\/p>\n Marilyn and Gene Grenat<\/em> of Lafayette, IN, write: Wow! I wondered how you got involved with Haiti. Now I know! That’s a wonderful heartwarming story and truly shows how God magnificently works his mysterious, wonderful ways! I love hearing about all the stories involving Haiti. I’m probably too old to go and be of any help, but I wish there were something else we could do. Is there a school library? Is it very well stocked or equipped? Do they have medical needs? We would like to know.<\/p>\n Lance Olenik<\/em> of Nampa, IN, writes: This is a great story. I work for Mission Aviation Fellowship (www.maf.org) and always love to hear how our ministry is helping in places like Haiti. God bless you!<\/p>\n Triennial Participants Give as Well as Receive<\/p>\n Bonnie Siems<\/em> of Plato Center, IL, writes: What about the 24\/7 prayer room – that was prayed about and set up by Maki Coomes for an experience of personal encounter with God through the many ways to praise, worship, and healing?<\/p>\n \u2018That Was God Preparing Us for the Girls\u2019<\/p>\n Johnna Hayward<\/em> of Waterloo, Belgium, writes: This story is absolutely amazing! I am waiting for the third installment and would love to get in touch with the Doyles.<\/p>\n Stephanie Thompson<\/em> of Mokena, IL, writes: Thank you for sharing this powerful story illustrating the sovereignty of God. It is a story that has continued to remind me of God’s goodness since I first heard about Jeremy’s death the week it happened. Only two months later, I would be speaking at a high school retreat at Covenant Harbor where Jeremy’s parents as well as some of the kids that the Doyles had been discipling would be participating. I was amazed at the strength and mercy that God had given them. I felt humbled that God would put me in the role of speaking his truth to these persons who were struggling to make sense of such a tragedy. Yet, the words God gave me months ahead were brought to life through this weekend. Thank you for the update and the reminder that our God is indeed big.<\/p>\n Juanita Stone <\/em>of Carrollton, TX, writes: I praise God with you in the wonderful addition to your home. The girls are beautiful! May they continue to bring joy to your lives. God indeed works in ways that we may never see. Thank you for sharing your story.<\/p>\n Losing Jeremy<\/p>\n Janine Doyle-Bloom<\/em> of Ocala, FL, writes: I have read and re-read this story three times today. I read all of it alone this morning and cried by myself. Then as I read it to my husband and children the second and third times, I didn’t have the same feeling. Jeremy was my cousins Dick and Sandy’s son. I am very proud of his life, the lives that he had touched and is still touching, and for the foundation that he was given from his parents. For his brothers also. God is so good!<\/p>\n Mary Pachmayr<\/em> of Lafayette, IN, writes: Wonderful! What a testimony.<\/p>\n Carol Smith<\/em> of Lafayette, IN, writes: I know the Doyles pretty well and this is the first time I have heard their story in full. I have cried the whole time and am moved further to remember that in our suffering, God is working. I am so grateful for my own suffering because I too can see what God is doing in my small world. But I now realize it is so much bigger than just my world. God Bless all who read about this amazing life!<\/p>\n Triennial Kicks Off with Powerful Sermon<\/p>\n Martha Johnson-Svedvik<\/em> of Stockholm, WI, writes: I attended Triennial and the seminar that Alice Barrymore lead on Friday afternoon. During the seminar she made reference to her family attending a traditonal\/conservative Baptist church and that was her upbringing.<\/p>\n Carolyn Rose<\/em> of Royal Palm Beach, FL, writes: The theme for this year was so on the money. I felt embraced by the spirit from the moment I stepped foot inside the hotel. I could tell much, much prayer had gone up over that three-year period of planning. I felt so special – totally embraced by God. Not only were the sermons and classes spirit-directed, but the one-on-one conversations seemed to be just as directed. If I could have one poster to sum up the whole Triennial experience, it would be of Pia as she came off the stage and waited for the canopy (signifying the blood of Christ) to float down around her. If one word could describe it – EXPECTATION. You never know what exactly God has in store for you, but you know it will be good! Thank you, Ruth, and God bless you Triennial committee!<\/p>\n Beth Orlando<\/em> of Spring Valley, CA, writes: This is the first Triennial I attended. It was wonderful to get to know other women from across the country and across the world. It was a very Godly experience for me and I look forward to the next Triennial.<\/p>\n Brian Wiele<\/em> of Olympia, WA, writes: I was hoping for more stories on this event. What happened? It’s done now, but we didn’t get a report beyond the first session. This was an international gathering worthy of much more attention, I would have thought.<\/p>\n Mary Gibbs<\/em> of South Hadley, MA, writes: Great coverage, so far. I’d love to see more countries’ flags – especially Kenya, which a member of my congregation carried.<\/p>\n Prayer Requested for Marti Burger’s Full Recovery<\/p>\n Frank Riley<\/em> of Orange, CA, writes: Marti Burger is definitely in our family’s prayers! Through years when ministry was especially tough of my kids, it was Marti and her family who created a safe place of love and care for us at Covenant Annual Meetings. We are so grateful for her ministry and care and will definitely lift her up in prayer!<\/p>\n Roland Boyce<\/em> of Alexandria, MN, writes: Please convey our prayer support for the Burgers during this time. Their contribution to the health and vitality of Christian Formation and CHIC are inestimable. We truly give thanks for them and their work.<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: Marti continues to improve, latest reports indicate. Additional information will be posted to this online Covenant news report as it becomes available.<\/em><\/p>\n Covenant Pastor to Help Monitor Sierra Leone Election<\/p>\n Johnna Hayward<\/em> of Waterloo, Belgium, writes: Way to go, Adam!<\/p>\n Edison Yongai<\/em> of Sydney, Australia, writes: Many thanks to the pastor and congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church in the U.S. for sending an election observer to Sierra Leone in the person of pastor Adam Philips. No election has ever been free and fair in Sierra Leone since the colonialists left the land. Incumbent leaders have thousands of tricks under their sleeves to rig elections in their favor. In this way, they entrench themselves in power. Observers normally don’t see some of those dirty tricks and they pronounce Sierra Leone elections as free and fair. It has happened many times before. However, with the calibre of observers now in Sierra Leone, we Sierra Leoneans forced to live outside the country only hope that the observers will open their eyes and ears widely enough to detect some of the tricks that may be at play.<\/p>\n Missions: No Need to Travel Far to Serve Others<\/p>\n Donna Moline<\/em> of Yelm, WA, writes: Traveling to another country on a mission trip is a wonderful experience; however, seeing the huge need close to home (and it is huge) can be just as rewarding! Good job.<\/p>\n Julie Eberhardt<\/em> of Oaxaca, Mexico, writes: What a great article about our church in Tucson, Arizona. The great commission says to start in “Judea and then go to the other parts of the earth.” What a great example! Thanks, friends, for serving our Lord there in Tucson.<\/p>\n Sisters Recovering Nicely Following Kidney Transplant<\/p>\n Pegi Thompson<\/em> of Oroville, CA, writes: Way to go Ali. What a wonderful gift of life for your sister.<\/p>\n Patty Shepherd <\/em>of Chicago, IL, writes: This a great story! Thanks for putting it together. Just wanted to mention that the Westlinds are currently serving in Argentina and have been there since 2005.<\/p>\n Phoenix: In the Midst of Devastation, Love Abounds<\/p>\n Bruce Johnson<\/em> of Hopkinton, MA, writes: It just so happened that five volunteers from Community Covenant Church of Hopkinton rubbed elbows with these Covenanters from Chicago while in Phoenix. Our leader and four high school students were blessed with broader Covenant fellowship even as they experienced the joy of serving neighbors in need. We plan to send another group in October. I highly recommend this mission experience.<\/p>\n CRC Awards Scholarships to Eight Employee Dependents<\/p>\n Dickson Mwati<\/em> of Nairobi, Kenya, writes: This is great news and especially to those eight employees who are greatly encouraged in the noble work they are doing. Kindly extend your boundaries to reach even the church in Africa.<\/p>\n Miss Michigan Encourages Faith, Healthy Lifestyle<\/p>\n Jan Thornbloom<\/em> of Chicago, IL, writes: Wonderful to know that a Christian can share her faith in this kind of venue. If she can reach even a handful of young girls who think skinny is beautiful and keep them from the perils of anorexia and bolemia, then she has accomplished more than many doctors have been able to do. Congratulations to Kirsten!<\/p>\n Faith, Not Confidence, Encourages Young Cancer Patient<\/p>\n Carl Ramgren<\/em> of Spring Valley, CA, writes: I will be praying for you, Amanda. You are special. Keep the faith. God is always good.<\/p>\n Older Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n Occasionally we receive comments about stories published some time ago. Most often, readers come across them while topically perusing search engines or when visiting the online Covenant News Archive maintained by Covenant News Service. We appreciate reader comments at any time about any story that has appeared as part of our online Covenant news report.<\/p>\n Rollin Persson to Join NCP Real Estate Services Michael Offe<\/em> of Takoradi, Ghana, writes: Yes, I agree that a church’s name ought to arouse curiosity, reflect congregational character or provide a sense of meaning as to why it exists. However if the reason for the existence of any modern church does not include soul winning or evangelization, how can we consider that church a Christian church? I tend to agree with Betty Lynch of Warren that if the change in the name is just to remove the word evangelical . . . only to please people who think that usage is or has been associated with politics, then we need to sit up as Christians \u2013 our command from Christ is to \u201cGo ye to all Nations and preach the word…” What one word can take the place of this command from Christ, besides go and evangelize?’<\/p>\n
\nMarilyn Meyer<\/em> of Martinez, CA, writes: Congratulations on your new position! We are members of Hope Center Covenant Church in Pleasant Hill, California, and were here when Jim and Arlys began Hope. We are doing some research for the history of Hope Center Library for the 30th anniversary of Hope Center next year. Since I do not have a current address for Jim, we would appreciate contact information for them so that we can request their input on the history.
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\n<\/a> Why Do Churches Change Names?
\nPam Darsie<\/em> of Cambridge, MN, writes: Thank you, Betty Lynch, for expressing your “very strong feelings against removing the word evangelical from church names.” You said it well.<\/p>\n