Today is the 33rd anniversary of Covenant Church!  What a ride it has been!

Joe Morgan was one of the founders of Covenant Church, here is what Joe has to say about our anniversary:

Joe Morgan:        33 years ago a group of people from First Baptist decided that people were more important than structure.  Today Covenant Church still believes that members are more important than rules and formality.  People are our most important asset.

Here is a picture of Jim and Linda Sproull.  Jim was the longest serving Pastor and the only unpaid bi-vocational Pastor in our history. 

Jim says:

Jim Sproull:    Thirty -Three years! Can you believe it has been 33 years since a group of followers of Jesus Christ were led by Him to establish a new ministry in Gainesville? This group had a common bond of faith in God and a desire to fellowship and worship with one another, while reaching out to others with the Good News of the Gospel.
Linda and I had been attending Alachua First Methodist for five or six years and felt God was opening doors we should consider following. My assistant at the Bank, Luwina Edmondson and her family were original members of Covenant. Luwina knew that I was a lay pastor and preached in several Methodist and Baptist churches. Covenant was still searching for a pastor and in June of 1987, I was asked to speak at Covenant on a Sunday morning. Linda was in Greenville, South Carolina, at this time with her Father who was battling cancer.  Just two weeks later, Linda’s father passed away on June 30. A few Sundays later I preached for the second time at Covenant. I had no thought at this time that in less than a year I would, in March 1989, become pastor of Covenant. The next 14 years would be some of the best years of my and Linda’s life, not the easiest but the best.

I had not felt called to be a pastor full time, but I did love to teach and preach. So when I had a call from Joe Morgan and Jim Skiles asking me if I would consider being Pastor, I told them I need to pray A LOT! After we prayed about it Linda and I felt it was the right step at that time. My next check in was with my board at the bank. I had become president three years earlier in September 1984. Would they be concerned about my focus on both? But God continued to open the doors – the board agreed, understanding I would receive no salary from the church. This was understood because God was so good to us.

But how could this work? It couldn’t, it should not have! But it did because of God’s blessings on the church and a group of members who joined together to handle all the many needs to provide ministries to our community.

I did not come directly to teaching and preaching, moving through Electrical Engineering, Florida JD in law and Bank President. Linda and I moved our membership to Covenant and were blessed to meet new friends who remain old friends today. I agreed to preach until the pastor search found their candidate; but to everyone’s surprise I was asked to serve. I liked to say I preached until the search committee found a real pastor and they promised to double my salary every year, which was nothing.

Now some 33 years later, I look back on those years with joy and tears. Those years at Covenant were great. Why? Because there were so many good, compassionate, generous and fun people who did so much, taking on so many things I could not because of my day job!  I am so thankful that a small group committed their hearts and strength to carry out the church’s plans in ministry resulting in touching families, children, college students and many others. Now those young men and women are parents themselves.

We lived through sorrows together as too many precious friends left us too soon. We may have been small in number, but powerful in impact. The community ministries many of you started and continue today touched lives in so many ways at nursing homes, youth events, church-wide dinners (thank you Edwina for saving the last banana pudding for me.) Perhaps most of all I would rate the public safety ministry as one we will never know the breadth of its impact until we get to heaven. The church built a reputation with fire stations, sheriff’s offices and especially GPD that allowed the church to do more than expected. One shining moment came in the darkest time for Gainesville when young men and women were murdered and the entire community went on high alert! I called Waylon Clifton, the Police chief, very early in the investigation to ask what we could do to help during the student murders’ investigation. Waylon said yes, you really could. They had extra officers from around the state and there was no place to feed them at night during the night shifts. This is an example of how things worked – I called the A team COOKS – Joe, Don and Fred. They brought in the A+ team of Rose, Edwina and Linda. They and others turned the church each night into an all night diner with TV’s and lazy boys. One night an officer asked if it would be OK to land a helicopter and soon we had a FLY IN diner and a DRIVE IN! Over the next year Covenant received cards, letters and visits from officers who had visited our diner for a good meal and some Good News!

Here is one more example – We needed some music, some excitement mixed with some flash – cue Tina! The 90% female choir was led by Tina using great recorded tracks or one of our other members playing the piano!
I could go on and on, but let me close by wishing all of you a blessed anniversary celebration, a time of blessing and thanksgiving for all God has done in your lives and Covenant as a church.
Blessings and Love
Jim & Linda
[NOTE:  If you want to send an email to Jim and Linda, please send it to saturdaynightsermons@gmail.com.]

Next, we have a picture of Tina with the first Covenant Church bell choir.  Tina says:

Tina Pinkoson:    I have been a member of Covenant since our first service held on an Easter Sunday at the Garden Club. It was wonderful on that day to be surrounded by people who were like family to me. Over these past 33 years I have always felt like I am surrounded by family at Covenant. Family members have changed, but I believe that God’s presence at Covenant is what allows that “warm family feeling” to remain.  Covenant has been a constant in my life and or that I am eternally grateful.   I love my church and my church family.

Do you recognize the family below??  Michelle says:

Michelle Miller:    If I were asked what does Covenant Church mean to me?  I would say that my Covenant Church family proved to be my “constant” through it all.  From the welcoming of my three children, my transition through a divorce, career changes, life’s everyday celebrations and challenges, and church leadership changes—these were all opportunities for spiritual growth for me and for my children to witness a front row seat to what being a part of a church family means.  So many fond memories of Wednesday night suppers, vacation bible school, Easter pancake breakfasts, Fish Fry’s, Thanksgiving Meal, Christmas Banquets, making a joyful noise with my fellow “Sounds of Hope” members and just enjoying our worship and fellowship time at church.  I was often asked over the years why I didn’t go to a bigger church that offered more programs for my kids or for me as a single mom and I would say that Covenant Church is my family.  My kids have such support from all the members who have literally watched them grow up and loved them through it all. I know I have been blessed with godly parents and they have experienced the love of Covenant and I am glad God healed my father so he could continue to teach and preach the Word.  I thank God for Covenant and just like when we sing Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to our members we always add “and many more!”  That is what I wish for Covenant–not only in years but in people– so that others can experience “The Little Church with a Big Heart.”

Those kids then grew up…. with other Covenant kids in a manger scene!!
Edwina has always been a church leader in children’s education.  Edwina says:

Edwina Hope:    I have only been a member of two churches in my lifetime, 1st Baptist and Covenant.  I was involved in all programs at 1st Baptist from early childhood.  I met Don there, married there as were my four children.  So it was very hard for me to leave.  However, Don and I felt God wanted us to help start Covenant.  We wanted a church that could respond to needs immediately without going through the process of committees, rules, etc.  It was exciting and we knew God was in control.  Many changes have occurred and maybe  we had a different vision but God has always guided us and sent Godly leaders  I have been discouraged at times and felt maybe I belonged at another Church , but can say today my heart is at Covenant.  I plan to stay working for my Lord until I go to meet my Savior

A Covenant group pic I could find, undated…………………

We will close with a note from our Pastor.  Carl says:

Carl Romey:    When I retired in 2016 I had no idea that I would be pastoring another congregation. But God knew what was going to happen and prepared me for this event. When Dr. Marks called me I almost fainted because I saw the power of God working. When I was installed as your pastor it was moving and remarkable. You are fantastic people and God is working through each of us. I give special thanks to our Trustees: Ron, Joe, Michelle, Madge and Edwina. Our wonderful music team under Tina’s direction and the ladies who join her Rose, Cindy & Michelle singing each Sunday. Our pianists; Rose and Shirley. A Special thanks to Madge and Teresa with YAH and Vernon/ Kitchen Band. Then a very special thank you to Joe & Edwina who do a fantastic job with the finances. Then not least but last listed is our custodian Bill Mercado with his wife Ramona who keep our church clean. We now use The Master’s Lawn Care. Now if I have missed anyone I am sorry. Each of you who arrive for Church and Bible Study each week are so very important. You keep our church financed. Our supported King Ministry in Africa and the Costas in Brazil. Shirley and I are late comers but y’all built a foundation to build upon! Praise The Lord for Covenant Church.

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I hope you have enjoyed this visit through the glorious 33 year Covenant history, and the comments of some of the many faithful believers who have made this church work….and continue to do so today. 

May God continue to bless Covenant Church!!  Happy Anniversary!!