About Covenant Page

		Vision	It is CBC's vision to bring the love of Jesus Christ into the everyday lives of all people. It is with this in mind that ministries are carried out.
		History	In 1967 fifteen families joined together in the home of Don and Bonnie Marshal to form Covenant Baptist Church. A short time later, the congregation moved to a storefront in Marengo, IL. Land was purchased in 1968 to build a new church on seven acres of land south of Marengo on Ratfield Road. 1976 brought a major expansion of Covenant’s sanctuary and Sunday school classroom areas; included in this enlargement was a gymnasium facility. Another sanctuary renovation took place in 1994, and the mortgage on the building was paid off in 1996. Much discussion brought about a capital improvement project in 1999 that added a wheel-chair lift and structural improvements, to make the facility handicap accessible, totaling $150,000. The current debt remaining on this project is $93,000.
		Ministry	The church seeks to develop the individual’s Christian walk through: Sunday morning worship, Sunday school for all ages, small groups, children’s church, junior and senior high programs, Tuesday night prayer, and worship team practice. Many other ministries seek to identify and meet individual physical and spiritual needs: Stephen Ministry, Watchcare, Helping Hand, and deaconess-organized meals and welcome baskets. In order to reach the community and the world, Covenant also organizes the following: the Corn Maze (a Fall community outreach), Vacation Bible School, programs at the Rockford Rescue Mission, and periodic, short-term missions trips (Tennessee and Guatemala).
		Senior Pastors	During the thirty-eight years since its establishment, Covenant has had six pastors. David Klasing (1967 - 1972) – Founding pastor George (Bud) Craig (1972 - 1977) Bruce Herrstrom (1979 - 1981) Bill Clark (1982 - 1985) David MacKinnon (1985 - 1992) Jack Boling (1993 - 2005). Gordy Gottfred (2006 - Present) Two interim pastors have resided: Ronald Carlson (1992 - 1993) Gordon Hanstad (2005 - 2006)
		Youth Pastors	Covenant began a dedicated ministry to the youth of its body and community in 1996 by hiring Ryan Mobley (1996 – 1999), as Youth Pastor. This ministry has been further developed and continued by Barb Umland (1999 - 2005), Paul Lamberson (2005 – 2007).
		Leadership	Covenant Baptist Church’s deacon board was formed to govern the church and to supervise all church operations. There are currently seven members on this board. These men must be active members of the church in good standing and be mature Christians with experience and knowledge, who meet the requirements of I Timothy 3. They are expected to work with the pastor to set the environment of worship in the church. Other leaders of Covenant are grouped into the following committees: missions, deaconesses, building and grounds, Christian education, and finance.
		Staff	The church currently employs three part-time staff members: office administrator, director of worship, and custodian.
		Affiliations	Covenant Baptist Church maintains affiliation and fellowship with both the Baptist General Conference and the Midwest Baptist Conference.