GATHER 2026
Gather 2026
June 25-27, 2026 | Scottsdale, Arizona
This summer, the Covenant family will gather in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a sacred time of worship and celebration. All year long, we’ve been answering the New Testament’s beautiful, relentless invitation — those two words that appear over fifty times in Scripture and continue to shape who we are: One Another. Gather is where that invitation comes alive — where we step into the same room, open God’s word, worship together, and remember that we were never meant to do this alone.
We will reflect on God’s work among us, welcome new churches, and commemorate fifty years since the Evangelical Covenant Church began ordaining women as pastors. We will also commission, ordain, and consecrate ministers and global personnel. Registration and hotel reservation information will open on March 2nd, 2026.
Covenant Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting Is the Highest Legislative Body in The Evangelical Covenant Church
During Gather, the entire Covenant family comes together to worship God; celebrate and participate in God’s work in the world; welcome new churches; ordain, commission, and consecrate ministers and missionaries; and together make important decisions about our shared mission and ministry.
Every congregation is entitled to representation as we worship God and celebrate what God has done. We gather to discern future direction, select leaders, consecrate global personnel, credential and ordain clergy, and encourage one another to greater discipleship. We make determinations around funding the mission, and we hear about the challenges and opportunities in front of us. In it all, we get to meet new friends and strengthen old relationships.
Delegates
These are the official representatives from congregations and other Covenant entities. A delegate is entitled to full voice and vote in the Annual Meeting. Delegates are named by their sending body. Every congregation is entitled to representation.
From the Covenant Bylaws, Article VII, Section 7.4, member congregations shall be entitled to representation as follows (based on data from the Annual Statistical Report from December 2025):
- 0-99 members: 2 delegates
- 100-224 members: 3 delegates
- 225-449 members: 4 delegates
- 450-699 members: 5 delegates
- 700-999 members: 6 delegates
- 1,000 + members: 7 delegates
GENERAL CONFEREE
A general conferee is any adult participant at Gather 2026 who is not an official delegate. General conferees may silently observe the Annual Meeting and may receive handouts during the sessions.
*Please note: Business meetings are closed sessions. Only registered delegates, general conferees, support staff, and resource personnel may attend business sessions on Friday and Saturday of the Annual Meeting. Evening worship sessions are open to the public.
Schedule
All times are Pacific Time Zone
| Wednesday, June 24 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Safe Sanctuaries Training (in person only) |
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Santuarios Seguros (solo en persona) |
| Thursday, June 25 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Ministerium Business Session |
| 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Leadership Training for Church Leadership Teams and Executive Boards |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Ministerium Continuing Education |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Opening Worship |
| Friday, June 26 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 141st Annual Meeting: Business Session I |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 141st Annual Meeting: Business Session II |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Evening Worship |
| Saturday, June 27 | |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 141st Annual Meeting Session III |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 141st Annual Meeting Session IV |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Evening Worship: Commissioning, Ordination, and Consecration |
Location
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Rate: $195/night (resort fee waived)
Booking deadline: May 29
Travel & Accommodations
Hotel
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Rate: $195/night (resort fee waived)
Self-parking: $20/day
Booking deadline: May 29
Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
3400 Sky Hbr Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Located 18 miles from the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale.
Airline Discounts
United is pleased to offer special meeting discounts for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Book online using discount code ZRJE961040 (MileagePlus members will earn miles). You can also call the United Meetings Reservation Desk at (800) 426-1122 (Monday–Friday). Booking fees are waived for meeting reservations. International travelers may contact their local United Reservations Desk.
Registration Rates
Registration Opens: Monday, March 2, 2026
Key Deadlines
- Ministerium registration deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026
- 141st Annual Meeting registration deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Ministerium Meeting (In-Person & Virtual)
- $55 — March 2–May 15, 2026
- $65 — May 16–June 5, 2026
Delegate (In-Person)
- $319 Early: March 2–May 15, 2026
- $379 Regular: May 16–June 5, 2026
- $429 Late: June 6–June 16, 2026
General Conferee (In-Person)
- $179 — March 2–May 15, 2026
- $209 — May 16–June 16, 2026
Delegate (Virtual)
- $149 Early: March 2–May 15, 2026
- $179 Regular: May 16–June 5, 2026
- $209 Late: June 6–June 16, 2026
General Conferee (Virtual)
- $149 — March 2–May 15, 2026
- $179 — May 16–June 16, 2026
Church Delegate Registration Process
Every congregation is entitled to representation as we worship God and celebrate what God has done. The number of delegates a church can send is determined by their reported membership for 2025.
STEP ONE
Annual Statistical Report (ASR)
Each year all Covenant churches are asked to complete the Annual Statistical Report (ASR) as part of our 3StrandStrong partnership. This simple report gathers critical information from churches such as attendance, membership, baptisms, income, and giving. The more churches that complete the ASR, the better and more accurate information we have to reflect the collective ministry of the Covenant.
The ASR gathers information in a two-step process:
- Step One (November 2025): Track and record attendance.
- Step Two (January 1–March 1, 2026): Input membership, baptisms, income, giving, and personnel contact information.
Please use the link below to input all your church’s data. Your church’s login credentials for the new ASR portal were mailed out in November 2025; previous credentials will not work on the new portal. The portal allows you to save your answers and return later to complete the form. Simply return to the portal using the link below with your credentials.
QUESTIONS?
If you experience technical difficulties or have questions along the way, please reach out!
- ASR Portal Technical Support – RJ Gonzales | (773) 596-2406
- All Other Questions – Start and Strengthen Churches | (773) 907-3346
STEP TWO
Credentialling Process
Each church delegate to the Annual Meeting must be a member of their church and may represent only one entity. In addition to registering, all delegates must be officially credentialed by their church using the credential form below.
The Church Chair and Church Secretary are the primary credentialing officers. If either role is vacant, another church leader may sign the credential form, as long as they can verify the delegates’ membership and both signatures do not belong to the delegates.
Credentials should be submitted by May 30, 2026 or promptly after any June registrations. Any questions about the credentialing process should be directed to events@covchurch.org.
Additional Events
Safe Sanctuaries Training
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
This intensive one-day training will equip you to pastor people who have experienced trauma from the injustice of abuse. We will develop a theology of abuse, explore how trauma impacts victims and survivors, learn how to partner with advocates in our community to bring holistic healing, and gain best practices for providing spiritual and practical support.
- Pre-work required
- Lunch included
- Cost: $25
Covenant Ministerium Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 25 | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM 1:30–4:00 PM
Members must have all elements of Good Standing current and updated on or before June 5 in order to vote and be guaranteed attendance for the Annual Meeting. On-site payment of dues or other components to update Good Standing will not be available.
Registration Rates
- Early (March 2–May 15, 2026): $55
- Regular (May 16–June 5, 2026): $65
No registrations will be accepted after the June 5, 2026 deadline.
Elements of Good Standing
- Pay annual dues to the treasurer of the conference in which the minister serves. Status can be checked by contacting your conference ministerium treasurer. Military chaplains should contact the Ministerium Executive Committee treasurer; global personnel should contact Serve Globally.
- Maintain a current CovConnect profile. Profiles should be updated every 3 years to qualify as “current.”
- Complete the Vocational Growth Tool (VGT) annually. The VGT is found under the Resources tab within CovConnect.
Leadership Training for Church Leadership Teams and Executive Boards
Thursday, June 25 | 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
This one‑day training experience equips chairs and members of local church leadership teams—as well as executive boards at both the conference and denominational levels—with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead faithfully and effectively. Designed specifically for lay leaders, this training provides a strong foundation in governance, decision‑making, spiritual leadership, and healthy team dynamics. Lunch included. In-person only.
Who Should Attend
- Chairs and members of local church councils, boards, and leadership teams
- Conference‑level executive board members
- Denominational executive board members
- Emerging leaders preparing for future service
Covenant Kids Congo Walk for Water
Friday, June 26 7:00 AM
Join us at Gather to walk (or run) with Covenant Kids Congo powered by World Vision. You’re invited to move your feet and make an impact—helping bring clean water to those who need it most in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Registration: $25
- Your registration provides clean water for one person in DR Congo.
Serve Globally Lunch
Friday, June 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Join us for a lunch conversation as we explore what it means to live out the “one another” call of Scripture in partnership with the global church. Together, we’ll reflect on shared discipleship, mutual encouragement, and the ways God transforms all of us through global relationships. Come ready to listen, engage, and imagine how your church can participate in mission as a faithful, humble partner alongside the global body of Christ. In-person only
Policies
Cancellations & Substitutions
All cancellation requests must be received in writing via email to events@covchurch.org. Cancellation requests will be accepted until June 16, 2026. The cancellation fee is $50. No refunds will be offered for cancellations after June 16, 2026, except in case of an emergency.
Substitutions will be accepted from the same church or institution, provided the registration options and fees are the same for the new registrant until June 16, 2026.
Image Policy
By attending Gather, you grant the Evangelical Covenant Church permission to use your image, likeness, or voice in recordings or promotions for this or future events.
Questions?
Registration questions? Contact (800) 910-2442 or events@covchurch.org.
