“Saving a seat for you” is more than a slogan here at New Covenant Baptist Church. It is a way of life. New Covenant Baptist Church opened its doors in July 1998. Four people started it and knew no one in the area. Pastor Holder had a vision. He wanted to start a new church for today’s world.
This church would be unusually authentic and welcoming. New Covenant Baptist Church would feature today’s music. It would showcase all the performing arts at every gathering. The church’s mission would be to love God. It would focus on loving the poor and oppressed. New Covenant Baptist Church would advocate for them at every point in life. This includes advocating for jobs that pay a living wage. It also means fighting for affordable housing and for justice in the streets. That’s who New York Covenant is. That’s who the members are becoming more of: a church for today’s world.
New York Covenant is a community of individuals. They live in the real world. But they are not from the world. This means they don’t think the way the world does. They are learning to think the way Jesus does. Every time they gather their views about the world mature. Their views become more like His. Their perspectives become sharper. Their choices become clearer. New York Covenant helps its members navigate this world.
New York Covenant is committed to being a church for today’s world. There are plans for a new church building. The building will put the community first and the church second. The new building will house New York Covenant Academy. This will be a preschool through fifth grade. There will be a full-court basketball auditorium. It will run leagues for all ages. A culinary kitchen will teach how to make flavorful healthy meals. A Starbucks-like place will allow people to plug-in and work from church during the week. There will be a community theater for the performing arts. It will house the Justice Conservatory of the Arts. A recording studio will also be included.
The Evangelical Covenant Church founded New Covenant Baptist Church in 1885. Scandinavian immigrants founded it. Today, it is one of the most ethnically diverse denominations in North America. It is a fast-growing denomination in the United States. There are more than 850 congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada. They are organized into 11 regions called conferences. New Covenant Baptist Church has mission partnerships around the globe. They extend to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East North Africa. They join the global church in extending the whole gospel across cultures. The denominational offices are located in Chicago.
Most importantly, you are always welcome at New York Covenant. They are saving a seat for you. Wherever you are at in your faith journey, you will always be accepted. You are part of the New York Covenant family.