THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH                              The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination of more than 750 congregations in North America who has a strong history, a global vision, and is at the cutting edges of ministry in the 21st century.  The ministries of the ECC range from state-of the art hospitals, fourteen retirement communities nationwide, and ministries to at risk children and developmentally disabled adults to being a leader in the starting of new churches and providing support ministries to local churches to promote excellence in ministering to adults, youth and children.    Founded in 1885, the ECC has valued from its inception the Bible as the Word of God, the gift of God's grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God's love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity.  These values are at the core of the denomination and over the years, the commitment of the ECC to these values has resulted in a comprehensive array of ministries in the United States and Canada that promote the cultivation of new and deeper life in Christ while at the same time seek to care for the sick, poor, aging, under-served and those at risk.   Over the years, a powerful ministry has been established which continues to grow and this ministry not only exists in the United States and Canada but has also reached overseas.  With ministries on five continents of the world, the ECC has had a long history of active mission involvement that has produced vibrant, growing churches.   Covenant World Mission has a worldwide program that promotes consistency while allowing for cultural expression.  It provides a network of vital and productive relationships among sending churches, missionaries, and partner churches.  Covenant World Mission is renowned as a leader in the care for its missionaries and their families: spiritually, psychologically, physically, educationally, and financially.  The goals of CWM include planting of contextualized churches, training local leaders, enabling holistic ministry, developing appropriate organizational structures, and moving in partnership with national churches.  The ECC has also been actively involved in providing needed relief to those facing devastation in its varied forms.   Covenant World Relief is the international humanitarian aid arm of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Its mission is to offer relief, rehabilitation, and development in Christ's name to the "poorest of the poor" in our world community.  To retain its strength and vitality, the ECC not only draws upon its strong history and remains committed to a global vision, but it seeks to stay at the cutting edges of ministry seeking to minister in Christ's name to every succeeding generation.   The ECC has always believed that its future lies in reaching the emerging generations.  As a result, the ECC excels not only in the area of church planting (i.e. starting new churches) but also in the area of providing innovative ministries to youth.  Perhaps the best example of the ECC's creative youth ministry is the amazing event called CHIC which is a triennial event where thousands of high school students converge on a college campus to be challenged and grow.  As amazing as it is, CHIC is just a part of the ongoing ministry provided across the nation by the ECC's creative youth pastors and staff serving in local churches and providing incredible opportunities for youth through youth groups, camps and other excellent events.   The Evangelical Covenant Church is one of the fastest growing denominations in North America whose history is solid, vision is global, and who is committed to being at the cutting edges of ministry in the 21st Century.