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Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA)

The MISSION of Covenant Presbyterian Church is to encourage and equip Christians in their covenantal relationship with the sovereign God and be obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, all for God’s glory.

Our VISION is to be a lighthouse church with a reformed world–life view which powerfully impacts Bay County and the world by radiating the character of Jesus Christ through obedience to the scriptures, fervent prayer, God–centered worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and the ministry of mercy.

As the storm clouds began to break and the conservative voice could no longer be heard within the Southern Presbyterian Church a few men met to seek God’s will. From this beginning in June 1973 several families (32 people) began to meet in the Westside Men’s Club for worship, fellowship and outreach. In January 1974 the group had grown and they requested that Gulf Coast Presbytery of the National Presbyterian Church receive and organize them as a particular church of that denomination. On January 27^th Covenant Church was commissioned and was at this point holding services in the cafeteria of Northside Elementary School. Reverend Donald C. Graham, though retired and working with the General Assembly as a funds raiser for the denomination, agreed to be the organizing pastor. In May 1974 the congregation, though small, was able to purchase a small parcel of land and construct a sanctuary. Over the years, by God’s grace, and with membership growth there also came growth in property and facilities until today Covenant has a sanctuary of 400 seating capacity with adjoining fellowship hall and kitchen, Christian school K3 through 12 for 300 plus students, a state of the art gymnasium, athletic fields and facilities for youth and office space.

Reverends Ray Lanning, July 1978, Lee Trinkle, January 1981, and Robert (Bob) Hayes, November 1984 have followed Don Graham as Covenant pastors. Bob has been leading short term mission teams to Uganda for some time and now feels called to become more permanently involved in that ministry.

Panama City is a diverse community and the congregation of Covenant reflect this diversity. With a major Air Force and Navy base, a junior college, a branch of Florida State University, a major tourist destination, and retired communities Covenant has membership which represents all these and other vocations. Young families with children, make up the majority of members along with singles, widows, and a number of gifted and active seniors. There are 228 adults and 53 children on the church roll.

Covenant is committed to Covenantal Reformed theology which yields the fruit of good works and to cooperation with the Holy Spirit as He conforms us to the image of Jesus Christ. To this end there is an active Sunday school for all ages and a strong Wednesday night fellowship and teaching program. Sunday provides Sunday school, and worship morning and evening. There are several prayer and small Bible study groups which meet during the week. Covenant is blessed with many gifted teachers. Support for missions at home and overseas is a priority.

In corporate worship the body of believers of Covenant unite to glorify God through prayer, reading and teaching of the Word, singing of hymns and songs, collection of tithes and offerings, and celebration of the sacraments. The Lord’s day begins as the elders meet for prayer followed by Sunday School at 9:15 A.M., corporate worship at 10:30 A.M. and evening worship at 6:00 P.M. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the second Sunday of each month. Covenant has sought to maintain a balance between the "old" and the "new" in music.

Programs do not make a church, people do. With this in mind Covenant strives to provide those activities where individuals can discover their spiritual gifts and then exercise those gifts for the body and for the glory of God. To provide instruction and guidance as individuals strive to find their part in the work and worship of our Lord.

Sunday School- There are classes for all ages with children and youth utilizing Great Commission Publications. There are three adult classes. Two classes study the Bible, book by book. One class has ladies from early 20’s to late 80’s, singles, married, and widows. The second is for adult men and women and also studies the Bible book by book. The third adult class teaches various subjects which are directed at strengthening young families as well as books and materials which build strong disciples.

Wednesday Evening – Wednesday evening a fellowship dinner is held and is follow by a program of instruction for all ages. Recent studies for the adults have included a video series, "Knowing Scripture" by R.C. Sproul followed by discussion led by one of our elders, "The Truth Project" ( a twelve part series which develops a Christian world and life view and the tools for discerning truth from false.)

Small Groups- During the week there are several small groups of men and women who meet for prayer and study. The Bible is the resource as various Christian books are studied. One example is "Back To Basics" by David G. Hagopian.

Youth- A youth choir has played a key role in our youth ministry. This group consists of church members and non church members. They have made annual trips around the country with musical witnessing programs. In addition they have had home Bible studies and fellowship. The Wednesday night program for youth include most of the choir members and others. The Wednesday night meeting has a lesson and they play games.

Outreach Ministry- This activity focuses on sharing the Gospel by word and deed with Bay County, and around the world. Our main outreach is a two fold effort. First Covenant Christian School, which touches many families in our area. Throughout the school year projects are implemented to reach the needs of the community. Secondly, short term missions to Uganda have involved many members and non members over the years. We are also involved with several local ministries.

Mercy Ministry- Meals, financial help, visitation and physical labor are provided to needy persons and families. Specifically nursing home visitation, hospital visitation (primarily by our pastors), meals, home repairs, and moving.

Women in the Church- The focus for WIC is prayer, visitors and new members, facility care (church hostess, circle service projects) and spiritual mentoring and counseling. Within this focus activities include nursery operation and upkeep, showers, campus outreach, women’s circles and fellowships.

Covenant Christian School- Covenant Christian School was established in 1982 to assist Christian families in building well-rounded students through educational and extra curricular programs that allow students to develop and excel academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. The curriculum is directed to pre-college and every subject is taught from a Biblical world and life view. The Bible is the only rule of faith and life. For students to seek first the Kingdom of God. An addition program the school has been able to offer from the beginning is that of ballet. This program reaches those beyond members of the school and the church into the community at large. Music and dance have been squandered by a sinful world and we are blessed to have a leader in this area who has built a program that worships and praises God through dance. This is in contrast to the "worship dance" entertainment seen so often in various churches.

Teaching, Training, and Discipleship- Teaching, training, and discipleship has always been a key ministry of Covenant. The particular form that ministry has taken has varied through the years with the needs of the Congregation. Currently this ministry consists primarily of Sunday School, Small Group Bible Studies, and the Wednesday Night Program. This ministry area coordinates programs to emphasize the need for each person to grow in their understanding and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be involved in the life and work of the Church. The intent is that every person be involved in Bible Study and that every person be provided with opportunities for fellowship in mutual learning environments such as Sunday School classes, Small Groups, and the Wednesday night Program.

Leadership-Covenant presently has two teaching elders, nine ruling elders and nine deacons. Both the session and the diaconate are active and take seriously their responsibilities toward the congregation and the community. The present senior pastor, through his desire to be more involved in Uganda and other mission activities, requested and was granted a change of status to Associate Pastor for Missions. This will become full time when the senior pastor position is filled.

Financial Status- The Financial Summary 2007 is as follows:

Total Receipts…………………$654,756.47

Total Expenses….……………..$684,926.05

Total Benevolences……………$205,798.93

Mission to the World………………………...$34,194.00

World Missions (other than MTW)………….$10,132.85

Mission to North America……………………$4,500.00

General Assembly & Presbytery……………..$9,068.06

Local Interest Ministries……………………...$141,454.02

Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship…………$6,450.00