Covenant Church

We left Charlottesville Airport on time. However, Atlanta had a holding pattern that kept us circling for some time. When we landed, the engine would not shut off. Forty-five minutes later when we were able to get off the plane, we missed our connecting flight.

In Dallas, we got lost. Somehow I had the feeling we were not the first persons to get lost in that mammoth city colored by people from all over the world, with a few Caucasians included—or so it seemed.

Our first evening was spent delightfully and deliciously in the home of new Sudanese friends. Sudanese spinach is a treat for someone who is not fond of spinach. However, I was disappointed by the absence of Sudanese fried chicken. We completed the evening by discussing the bold plan to be presented at the Sudanese national revival: Build a church in Juba, Sudan.

Saturday came and it was hot…about 100 degrees. However, delegates came from Utah, Kansas, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, Texas, etc. Worship started at 9 AM and continued until after 8 PM. An interesting part of the day was to listen to an American minister talk to new immigrants from Sudan, i.e., immigrants who many of them would probably have been killed if they had not been CHOSEN and AGREED to come to the United States.

All of the delegates came by car, train, or by airplane. The cars in the parking lot indicated modest economic security, employment, and sufficient money to dress and eat well. One had to be stunned that many of the Sudanese have only been in the United States for 3 to 5 years.

One speaker, from Togo, Africa, observed to the delegates that there is no country in the world that has the level of freedom of the United States. He continued by saying, “That is why people from all over the world want to come to the United States.”

Laila and I were present at this revival for the express purpose to encourage Sudanese across America to assist in building a new church, orphanage, and school in Juba, Sudan. Sudan is critical to the future of Africa and the world. Looking at a map of Africa it is obvious that Sudan is the best route from Asia to South Africa. The Muslims have sought to break the will of the strong Christian population in southern Sudan. Thus far, the war against Christians has failed -- though more than 200,000 persons have been killed and more than 2,500,000 have been driven from their homes. Muslims have destroyed entire villages and towns in southern Sudan.

A new peace treaty between the largest rebel group in the south and the Muslim government is holding promise of better days. The United Nations projects 2,000,000 persons may be coming out of the bush, returning from neighboring Chad, Uganda, and other countries, and also returning from living in the northern part of Sudan during the war.
Sudanese are part of Covenant Church. Covenant Church is cooperating with Sudanese members to develop a mailing list of Sudanese across the United States. The Texas revival helped to open a door for supporters. Enthusiasm for the plan presented was strong.

Because of an emergency at home, Laila and I negotiated a change of schedule, thus leaving Dallas a day early. On to Albuquerque we flew, rented a car, and drove to Window Rock, AZ, arriving by 5:30 PM. More than twenty-three years of work with Navajo Indians is maturing into a success story.

Folks were gathering for church as we arrived. After spending some time with leadership and reviewing our strategic plan for the church, I was privileged to share about 1.5 hours of time with the congregation—inspiring, motivating, instructing, and praying.

About a year ago the Navajos in this particular location agreed to let us develop a business plan for their church. Included in the strategy would be re-structuring administration, re-focusing strategies for financial stability, and creating an improved strategy for ministry to parishioners and the local community. It was a bold initiative that would require the Navajos re-thinking their own culture, i.e., distinguishing between being Navajo and Christian Navajo.

The Navajos have been willing. Progress is commendable. Within the next few months, they will implement programs that will lead them to financial stability. We established timelines for completion of projects. More importantly, initiatives were implemented that will increase ministry to the community as “survival” becomes less demanding.

I reflect on these events at 32,000 feet and 520 miles per hour. Covenant Church has extended itself to touch the lives of so many. Laila and I and the pastoral staff are so blessed to serve a people with mission hearts.

Home: the very word is inviting. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Thank you for “Sharing God’s love…Caring for others.”
Pastor Bare
Romans 10