Covenant Children’s Home & Family Services is announcing a new Name, a refined Mission of helping children in need, and an expanded Vision for the future of the ministry. The Board of Covenant Children’s Home, together with Central Conference Superintendent Jerome Nelson, Covenant Ministries of Benevolence President David Dwight, and CMB Executive Vice President Harold Spooner, have been working together diligently this past year on a long-range strategic plan for this important ministry to children in need.
From now on Covenant Children’s Home in Princeton, IL will be known as Covenant Children’s Ministries. Board Chair Bonnie Pihl said, “We trust that the new name, Covenant Children’s Ministries, will more accurately reflect our current and future ministries, as well as the long-time commitment of Covenant Children’s Home to serving children in need.”
After careful deliberation, the Covenant Children’s Ministries (CCM) Board also decided that it was time to update the Mission Statement. The former statement served Covenant Children’s Home well in the past, and was tailored to the former residential treatment program. The refined Mission Statement is concise and to the point, namely, “to show the love of Jesus Christ to children in need.” This new Mission Statement expresses the proud legacy of Covenant Children’s Home, as well as the future envisioned for Covenant Children’s Ministries.
The new Vision Statement is ambitious! It states that Covenant Children’s Ministries “will be the recognized champion of children’s ministries in the Evangelical Covenant Church by the year 2021, providing ministries and services to children in need.” The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of this ministry to children at risk, a significant milestone for an ambitious vision!
In practical terms this means that CCM will be expanding its reach and meeting more children at their points of need. This is an exciting challenge requiring new working relationships with our churches, with the ECC denomination, and with individuals and faithful supporters in the Covenant and beyond.
As Covenant Children’s Ministries looks to the future it also maintains its commitment to the vital ongoing ministries in Princeton. Freedom House, which is located in the former residential building, continues to provide critical services such as emergency shelter, transitional living, and legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence (including many children) and sexual assault. The Bureau County Health and Wellness Clinic, located in the former on-grounds school building, provides healthcare to those in need, many of whom have chronic health problems and otherwise would not have access to regular care. In addition, Dr. John Weborg, who serves as Campus Chaplain, provides pastoral care to clients and staff, and conducts special worship services for residents in the Nelson Chapel.
Covenant Children’s Ministries asks for your prayers and support as it enters this new and exciting phase of ministry to children in need.
