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We are on a journey—seeking to love God through repentance, humility, faith, worship, loving one another, to learn to follow His Spirit though Bible study and prayer, to live the truth of who He is through taking up the cross, speaking the truth in love, reaching out in justice and compassion. Welcome to First Covenant... Welcome Home. It is a pleasure to introduce you to the life and ministries of First Evangelical Covenant Church. We are a people who believe in the authority and truth of the Bible, in the loving and just care of a personal God, in the saving grace and Lordship of Jesus Christ, in the active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, in the necessity of new life in Christ, in ministering to the needs of others, and in the joy of bringing the gospel to our community and throughout the world. Our local church is affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church. Our local congregation is committed to building up the Body of Christ by gathering together for corporate worship and prayer, by teaching God's Word to all children and adults, by caring for one another through relationship-building, by communicating Jesus Christ through our words and actions, and by supporting domestic and foreign missions. A visitor worshiping with us today in our modern facilities might be surprised to learn that our congregation was founded in 1875 by God-honoring Swedish immigrants. Just five years later their first mission house was located on Fifth Avenue near Kishwaukee Street and cost $1,600. Eight years later it was sold and a new church building was built on the corner of Third Avenue and Kishwaukee Street. They were devoted to God's Word, considering it the standard by which they lived their lives and built His church. In fact, when clarification was sought on various issues, the question was always raised, "Where is it written?" They looked to God's Word as their final authority. In 1959, after many years of fruitful ministry at the Kishwaukee Street location, God moved upon the hearts of these Covenanters to relocate their place of worship to its present location at 316 Wood Road. God blessed them with the resources to build a new and larger church building which was dedicated in January of 1966. A gymnasium was later added in a joint venture with Rockford Christian School at the Hemlock campus just across the street. God has richly blessed this congregation under the leadership of pastors who have faithfully preached the Good News of saving faith through the finished work of Jesus Christ. As we thank God for such a rich heritage, we yield ourselves to His leading for a blessed future! |
