A Little Update on Covenant Grove

It has been a little while since I have written out an update on Covenant Grove, so I thought I would do that this week. To put it simply…WOW! God is really moving at Covenant Grove. The mission of our church is to transform religious and irreligious people into Fully Devoted Followers of Christ. That is happening! Our church is growing, and we started a third service in December to make room for all of the additional growth. Not only did that provide more room, but it actually accelerated our growth. We have an average of 5 new people visit per week, and we have grown by an average of 80 people on Sunday mornings since last year. We had over 560 people at Easter this year, our largest Easter by far. People are experiencing the love, hope, and truth of God on Sunday mornings!

Our ministries are growing and growing people closer to Christ. It is not just about getting people in the door but about digging deeper roots in Christ (Colossians 2:7). We have over 70% of our church in a Life Group or other connection. Youth and Young Adult ministries are growing and new young people are joining the church. We have a group of 8 high school students and 3 leaders attending CHIC, a huge conference in Tennessee. Kids Ministry is growing and adding new events. This summer is going to be a blast for next generation ministries. And people in their 20’s – the hardest group to reach – continue to join our church every month. We had over 200 people sign up for The Events, making new connections with people in the church family. Over 70 Covenant Grove people served at Love Modesto (and other cities), and we had 30 people help at the Crossroads Elementary carnival.

We are growing bigger; we are growing deeper. This happens through PRAYER. This is God’s work, and we are invited to contribute. We have an amazing, talented, and godly staff that follows Jesus and invests in people. They don’t do all of the work but follow God’s command (Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) to raise up leaders. We have almost 75% of our people serving in the church. We have over 50 people in leadership. Even our middle school students are serving and making a huge difference. Everyone is invited to serve – even new people – God is building this church! The growth of our church has happened through DEVOTION. People are making decisions, growing more consistent, reading their Bibles each day, serving in the world, giving their finances to God’s work, and inviting others to experience God’s hope.

The most exciting part? I believe that God is just getting started with us. There is a foundation of prayer and devotion that God is building on to bless so many more lives. We will do anything (other than sin) to reach people with the gospel of Jesus. A 4th service? Yep, it will probably happen. A building project to expand space? Yes, we are already starting to do the early work. A church plant? Yes please! We are praying for a planter to come! Sometimes I get exhausted when I think of all of these things, but all I have to do is remember how God does the work and provides the workers. We just have to follow Him.

Thank You Lord for all You have done at Covenant Grove, and the lives You have transformed. It is all because of You. Lead on! We will follow You.