Ohio Covenant Church Launching New Name

POWELL, OH (January 13, 2012) – Sawmill Covenant Church will launch its new name, Gateway Community Church, on January 22.

The church was founded 14 years ago with 28 members who worshiped in rented space. Sunday attendance now averages 300. Pastor John Atkinson said the new name better reflects the congregation’s mission.

“Gateway is clearly suggestive of an opportunity to enter into a relationship with God and service of people,” Atkinson told the local newspaper earlier this week. Including “Community” in the name also points to the congregation’s outreach focus, moving away from a name that appeared to focus more on the church’s physical location in the community and denominational affiliation.

During the January 22 service, the church will introduce new technological additions as well as a more diversified curriculum for children’s Sunday services.

Picture of The Covenant Companion

The Covenant Companion

The Covenant Companion brings together stories and voices that connect, inform, and inspire. Subscribe to our print edition.
CONTINUE READING

Explore More Stories & News

Features

God’s Mercy and Our Response

This is a special additional week of Covenant Home Altar devotions from Linda Gilmore, reflecting on God’s mercy and forgiveness. Through Scripture and stories from everyday life, Gilmore considers how God’s mercy shapes the way we understand forgiveness, community, and our own response to God’s grace.

Features

Building Bridges with Curiosity

“Immigration has my face.” A Latina pastor on the bridges people built toward her and the ones she is still crossing.

Features

Making God’s Name Known and Love Shown

Dominique Gilliard on why he believes evangelism and justice belong together and where he sees hope in a searching world.

Features

A Little Corner of Peace

A mother’s desire for a place where her daughter could belong has grown into a ministry helping children with special needs and their families find a place to belong.

Features

The Conference That Came First

Eight churches met in a Minnesota town before there was a Covenant to belong to. What became the Northwest Conference is still going, 142 years later.