Mission Statement | Tidbits | Brief History | Expanded History
Covenant Explained | Evangelical Covenant Link
Our Mission Statement:
"We are a family of forgiven people - worshiping God - growing in grace -
and making Him known in biblical truth and love."
Purposes derived from our Mission Statement:
We worship God as our highest purpose (Matt 4:10). Our worship will be joyful, magnify the glory of God, and lead people into an experience of the presence of God.
We serve others in love (Eph 4:12). We will minister to the spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical needs of others. First, in the church, and then in the community.
We seek to bring as many people as possible into the grace of God through a relationship with Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). We see ourselves as missionaries to our community and will extend our ministry by sending missionaries into the world.
We will integrate all the people God leads to us into our church family. We will baptize them in the name of the Triune God. We will be family to them and committed to their well-being. Small group ministry is an essential component in fulfilling this purpose.
We will bring all the people God leads to us to maturity in Jesus Christ (Col 1:28, Eph 4:12-13). We will educate all people in the scriptures and central doctrines of the Christian faith and equip them for ministry in the church.
Graham Evangelical Covenant Church is a biblically based teaching church. Every member is encouraged to read and study the Word of God on a daily basis. Whenever there is a question during service or in a bible study, we encourage you to ask, "Where is it written?"
Small groups are a vital part of the ministry of the church. There are many different types of groups to fit the variety of people who attend GECC. There are groups that cater to the young, teens, young adults, adults, women and seasoned citizens. These groups show the caring nature of the family and everyone is encourage to join a small group bible study.
Our worship service is filled with music, contemporary and hymns. We believe this prepares the heart for worshiping our Lord and Savior during Sunday service. Our praise band and worship singers help everyone sing, sing, sing!
Our church is run by a chairman and board. All church members are given reports on a quarterly basis and are able to vote on all issues regarding finances and major decisions during those meetings. We have an annual congregational meeting where board positions are filled by majority vote of members present.
Potlucks and get-together's are a big hit with anyone attending the church. Everyone is welcome to join us during our feasts and participate in activities offered during the year.
We support four missionary families around the world. We believe in bringing the gospel to those who may not have an opportunity to experience the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We support missionaries in Spain, Indonesia, Latin America and Asia.
The Graham Evangelical Covenant Church began in the early 1900's as a community Sunday School, meeting in homes and then the the Graham School (corner of what is now 234th St E and 108th Ave E). The first church building was built in 1941-1942. A formal church was not organized until 1942 with student pastors, often interns working at First Covenant Church in Tacoma, supplying the pulpit.
In 1947, the church joined the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church and affiliated with the national body of the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1953. The parsonage was built in 1952-1953. A new church building was built in 1959, which is now used as a Christian Education Building. The original church was torn down in the 1960's. The present sanctuary building was built in 1971-1972.
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination of more than 750 congregations in the United States and Canada with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish Immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the Word of God, the gift of God's grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God's love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity.
Who We Are
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a denomination of more than six hundred churches in the United States and Canada. It was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1885 as a voluntary covenant of churches committed to working together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Covenant churches emphasize the Bible's witness to new life in Jesus Christ expressed in a day to day walk with the Lord.
A Covenant Church Is:
- Evangelical, but not exclusive
- Biblical, but not doctrinaire
- Traditional, but not rigid
- Congregational, but not independent
The Covenant Mission
We are united by Christ in a holy covenant of churches empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the Great Commandments and the Great Commission:
-
...to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind;
-
...to love our neighbor as ourselves, and
-
...to go into all the world and make disciples.
Covenant Affirmations
THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH seeks to form and nurture communities that are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and passionately engaged in Christ’s mission in the world. The purpose of Covenant Affirmations is to make clear the values and principles that have guided the Evangelical Covenant Church since its founding in 1885.
The Covenant Logo
The unique character of the Covenant is expressed in the design of the Covenant logo--people united in Christ, people serving people in God's name, and people bringing people to Christ. The basis of the design is symbolic of four people facing north, south, east, and west. Note that each one's arms are outstretched, indicating the church's outreach in mission and service to the world. The four are part of the whole, yet their hands do not touch, symbolizing their unity in the freedom and evangelical warmth that characterizes the Covenant. The geometric arrangement of the four figures results in a cross like pattern, representative of the center of our faith. The center circle symbolizes the unity and the bond of fellowship which we call "the Covenant."
Link to The Evangelical Covenant Church web site for more information: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/index.shtml
Back in the early 1900's, the desire to worship and fellowship prompted some early settlers in Graham to start a Sunday School. According to a letter written by Myrtle Craddock to Marie Tinius, a Sunday School met in her parent's home as well as in the hall above Presley's store. Soon afterwards, regular Sunday School services began to meet in the basement of the Graham School and continued until the first church was built on Peterson Road (now 234th Street East). Herman Jorgensen donated land and the church was built in 1941-1942 by volunteers who donated many hours of labor and devotion. The building served well until the 1960's. An annex to furnish classrooms was placed behind the church and was used until the Education Building was built in 1957-1958.
The formal beginning of the present church organization began in 1942 with Carl Casperson, William Andrews, Herman Jorgensen and William Lindstrom on the organizing board. Student pastors supplied the pulpit the first few years, beginning with Leonard Manson, followed by Harry Swanson, Carl Janson and Melborne Metcalf. The first resident Pastor was Jerome Ahlstedt and his wife, followed by the William Jackson's, Robert Boding's and Moreland Adell. Housing in the Graham area was at a premium in those days, and since the church had no parsonage, it was difficult to keep pastors.
In April 1947, the church joined the North Pacific Conference to receive mission aid, which continued in varying amounts until the early 1960's. Graham Church became officially affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of America in 1953.
To build the present parsonage additional land was purchased from Herman Jorgensen and in 1952 a loan was secured from Herman Bergland of Tacoma First Covenant Church. Once again, volunteers donated labor.
Rev. Milton Opsahl, his wife, daughter Carol and son Roland were called to the pastorate in 1952 and were the first to reside in the parsonage. They were well received in the community and established a good work in the church until Milton's death in 1956.
Over the years, whenever a need arose, David (Bud) Olson stepped in to fill a vacancy or be a guest speaker. He could always be counted on for a good sermon and of course, a song. Bud and his gracious wife, Christine, were always considered part of Graham's family.
Rev. Paul and Hildur Nelson served in Graham from January 1957 until July 1961. Their loving family relationship endeared them to the congregation and made a good witness to the community. The church grew spiritually and in numbers, creating a need for an Education Building, which again was built by volunteer labor. That building, which has served as a fellowship hall, sanctuary, Sunday School, dining room for hundreds of meals and activity room was dedicated in June 1958.
Rev. Melvin Walker and Rev. Don Bruckner served as interim pastors until Pastor William Dugger was called in January 1962.
Pastor Dugger, his wife June, children Louise, Paul, David, Jim and Nancy served Graham Covenant for seven years. Pastor Dugger was a tireless worker and June was an able assistant in the women's programs. Pastor Dugger was also a volunteer fireman and active in other community projects which spread spiritual influence outside the church. During his ministry the church became self-supporting and saw a steady growth in numbers. The Duggers transferred to San Andreas, California in 1969.
Seeing the need for a larger sanctuary, the congregation began to pray and seek God for direction. The board inquired of Judge Paulson in Tacoma if he would sell adjoining property east of the church. Instead, Judge Paulson generously donated two and one half acres, the site of the present church! This astounding provision was a great boost of faith for the congregation.
Dr. Douglas Stave, a professor at Pacific Lutheran University, served as part-time pastor from February 1969 until February 1972. Under his leadership, the sanctuary was built at minimal cost with many hours of volunteer labor. Dr. Stave also encouraged family participation and sponsored activities which involved all members of the congregation. His wife, Joyce served at his side, in addition to caring for her family.
Ralph Driver came to Graham Covenant on a part-time basis in March 1972, which developed into full time ministry. His wife, Sara, children Teri and Tim served the church as well. Ralph was deeply committed to spiritual growth and missions. Two times, Ralph took busloads of young people to old Mexico to experience different culture and language situations. Ralph taught discipleship as an important role for each believer.
Ralph Driver left Washington in August 1978 and his brother, Charles Driver was called in October 1978. Charles and Jeannie had been missionaries in New Guinea and Columbia and had seen many lives transformed by the gospel. Chuck served Graham Covenant faithfully for twelve years, until October 1991. He was always compassionate to those in need and was appreciated for his selflessness and generosity.
The church called Pastor Allan Eagle and his wife Kitty, their children Nate, Mary, Jon and Sam in late 1991. Pastor Eagle served tirelessly for over 10 years helping build up the membership of the church and counseled many souls in that time. Pastor Eagle felt called to take a sabbatical from preaching and returned to teaching in 2003.
Pastor Randy Baker had been serving as a part-time Associate Pastor and willingly stepped in to shepherd the flock while the church sought a new pastor. Pastor Randy and his wife, Sybille, were known as the gracious hosts of many church functions at their home. Pastor Randy was called to preach in Plains, Montana in 2004.
Pastor Rich Arnold is currently leading the congregation at Graham Covenant. He and his wife Ashlyn and their seven children are experiencing their first pastorate since Rich received his ministerial appointment.
The past sixty-five years have seen steady accumulation of property, buildings and material possessions for Graham Covenant Church. Far more important have been the changed lives, the spiritual growth, the memories, and the bonding of good friends. Truly, the work has been of the Lord and all praise belongs to Him.