Church Life
Ministries at Covenant of Grace are designed to advance the mission of multiplying and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ.
Get Involved
If you want to find a place to serve, just let us know by contacting the church office. While we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to serve immediately, it will help to know your desires. Thanks again for wanting to use your gifts to serve others for God’s glory.
Community Groups
Designed to help us apply Scripture to our lives, enjoy Biblical fellowship, and pursue ministry to each other and our community.
One of the primary means of building relationships and cultivating fellowship with each other at Covenant of Grace Church is through our network of small groups, which we call Community Groups. What separates a church from just a crowd of attendees or a social organization? One thing is the intentional creation of community. Community Groups are where people are encouraged to grow in their faith in Christ together, practically care for one another’s needs, and live missionally amongst our neighbors.
**Chapel Hill
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 pmMike & Laura Hudson
Copley
1st & 3rd Sundays, 6 & 5:30 pm, respectivelySeth & Becky Finnegan
Fairlawn
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30 pmPaul & Jamie Selby
**Goodpark
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at, 6:30 & 7:30 pm, respectivelyAdam & Jessica Horsfall
Highland Square
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7 pmBraden & Sarah Gogel
Highland Square 2
Wednesdays at 7 pmMerrick & Abbey Potter
Orrville
Thursdays at 6:30 pmMichael & Jennifer Hoffman
Medina East
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 6 pm (all meet)2nd & 4th at 7 pm (women & men, respectively)Bert & Karen Turner
Montrose
1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7 & 6:30 pm, respectivelyJacob & Kathy Wilson
Schneider Park
Thursdays at 7 pm*Jason & Katie Mallinak*Meal at 6:30 pm on 4th Thursday
Stow
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 & 7 pm, respectivelyJoe & Debbie Hickin
Wadsworth
1st & 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 pmScott & Heather Hulet
Outreach & Evangelism
Church Outreach
We host various community events throughout the year, creating opportunities for our church to demonstrate the love of Christ as we get to know our neighborhood through BBQs, fun festivals, women’s teas and vacation Bible schools. We’re always looking for new ways to share the gospel throughout the greater Akron area.
Church Planting & International Missions
Being part of the family of churches known as Sovereign Grace Churches means we’re able to partner in planting churches around the world. A portion of each Sunday’s offering goes to support this global ministry. Other mission offerings are also taken each year along with the encouragement of the church family to join short term mission teams to various foreign fields.
Evangelism
Those who have been transformed by Jesus naturally want to tell others about Him. At Covenant of Grace, our ordinary people are our evangelists and are encouraged to witness personally throughout the week both in word and deed of the Savior.
Children & Youth Ministries
Newborns to 6th graders
Christian parents have the unique privilege and responsibility of raising their kids in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). It’s no easy task! That’s why at Covenant of Grace we count it a joy to assist parents on Sunday morning by helping your children:
- Enjoy fun, interactive, and educational times together
- Read and learn from the Bible (the whole thing)
- Understand how each part of the Bible points to Jesus
Children begin the morning in the main meeting with their parents. Just before the sermon begins, children two years old through 2nd grade are dismissed to classes. At that time we also provide a staffed nursery for kids under the age of two where they can play and make new friends. If you prefer to keep your children with you, that’s also perfectly fine. A nursing mothers’ room is located downstairs with live video footage of the sermon.
Lessons are designed to help ground children in the gospel story from Genesis to Revelation. The “God’s Story” curriculum features age-appropriate illustrations, activities, coloring pages, object lessons, and Scripture memorization.
We see our ministry as a means of helping parents introduce their children to God and the gospel and increase their love for both. Their time in the classroom is meant to be a supplement to what you’re doing in the home (Deut. 6:7-8, Prov. 22:6). To this end, we encourage you to use the devotional material and Scripture memory work we provide for family worship times in the home.
The safety of your children is a priority to us. All children and parents are checked in at the beginning and end of every service through an identification numbering system to ensure their safety. Additionally, we require all of our volunteers to go through background checks, additional training, and pastoral approval.
Background
Child sexual abuse is a terrible reality in our fallen world. Sexual abuse in any form is grieving, because abuse is committed against people made in the image of God. Therefore, it constitutes a sin against God himself. Child sexual abuse is widespread in our world today, with as many as 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men worldwide reporting having been sexually abused as children 1.
Further, child sexual abuse survivors often bear this heavy burden alone, dealing with the effects of sexual abuse for the rest of their lives. The prevalence of sexual abuse means that churches are not exempt from the reality of sexual abuse among us, and survivors of abuse are an important part of our lives and our churches. As a church, we will minister to survivors of abuse in a manner that honors Christ and promotes justice, and to protect children to the best of our ability.
Biblical Basis for Our Response
The gospel of Jesus and the example of our Savior must shape our response to the reality of child sexual abuse. The church and its shepherds are charged with imitating the Chief Shepherd in these attributes:
Compassion: As a compassionate and loving Savior, Christ grieves at the effects of sin, and churches should grieve with anyone who has been sinned against as a victim of abuse (Romans 12:15).
Justice: As a just ruler, Christ hears the cries of the oppressed (Exodus 22:21–24) and delegates authority to government to punish evildoers and promote righteousness (Romans 13:4). We must cooperate with God-given governmental authorities for the promotion of justice.
Healing: As the great Redeemer, Christ heals the terrible effects of sin (Isaiah 53:4–5) and will one day wipe away every tear through his plan to restore all things in himself (Rev 21:4). Our church is called to be a place where every survivor of abuse finds hope on a path toward healing in this life, even as they look forward to the complete restoration and redemption of all things.
Protection: As head of the church, Christ uses his strength to protect his flock (Isaiah 40:10– 11). We must strive to be a place of safety for children and abuse survivors alike.
Affirmations
Given the prevalence of child sexual abuse and our Savior’s example, we affirm these convictions:
Compassion
- We affirm that our church will be a place of compassion and love for survivors of abuse, thereby imitating our compassionate Savior.
Justice
- We affirm that anyone aware of a child being sexually abused or allegations of abuse of a minor or of a situation that could lead to further child abuse––whether occurring inside or outside the church––must report such abuse or allegations to duly appointed, God-ordained civil authorities. We exhort all members to be aware of this responsibility before God to defend the oppressed and punish evildoers. We believe this course of action fulfills legal and moral responsibilities to protect children, thereby promoting justice that honors Christ.
- We affirm we will proactively cooperate with all law enforcement efforts to bring perpetrators of abuse to justice, thereby protecting children and promoting justice that honors Christ.
Healing
- We affirm that our church leaders will give special attention to the care of victims of sexual abuse with sensitivity, skill, and compassion. In this care, we desire to point abuse survivors to the ultimate restoration found in Christ. We will take advantage of opportunities to use resources or counselors with special training in the area of child sexual abuse.
Protection
- We affirm that our church will maintain robust child protection policies, implementing effective safety systems designed to protect children or youth, thereby striving to protect children involved in church programs as Christ protects the church. With the affirmation of these convictions, we are conscious that at the final judgment, each one’s work will be tested, and each will answer to Christ. We are seeking to proactively protect children from sexual abuse. May our efforts be aided by God’s grace and undertaken for his glory.
1 Child Maltreatment Fact Sheet. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs150/en/. Updated January 2014.
Revised 3/30/21
Teens & Parents
Partnering with Parents
We are convinced that teenagers can grow in Christ and flourish during these critical years. To this end, our Parent and Youth Ministry partners with parents in discipling their children by applying the gospel to the world in which teens live. Our goal for our young disciples is that they will bear fruit as we encourage them to grow in love for God, love for parents and love for the church.
Parent / Youth Meetings
Our monthly meetings are on Saturday nights and are for teens in grades 7-12 and their parents. We meet at 7:00 p.m. for worship, teaching, activities, and socializing.
For Parents
We believe that parents have primary responsibility for the biblical training and discipleship of their children through the teenage years (Eph. 6:4). Parents play an irreplaceable role in the formation of Christian character. Effective parenting guides youth beyond family into commitment, membership, service, and fruitful involvement in the local church. The ministry of the church can be an important means of grace to equip parents in effectively discipling and preparing their teens for life as mature, God-honoring adults. The responsibility of the church is to support and supplement parents as they seek to direct their children, while also providing an essential teaching voice that offers biblical clarity on family issues.
Weekly Prayer
Sunday Morning Prayer
Every Sunday all are welcome to join us at 9:25 a.m. for prayer in Grace House’s conference room. Also, for any prayer needs or pastoral questions, just make your way to the area in front of the stage at the close of the service and ask for a pastor.
Prayer for the Nations
Once per month a group of us come together in Grace House’s conference room for a brief potluck lunch followed by a time of praying for international initiatives to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider joining us the first Sunday of each month, after the Sunday service.
Ministry Sundays
After a Sunday service once per month, we invite anyone with physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual needs to come forward and be ministered to through prayer.
Women’s Prayer Fellowship
A group of faithful women from our church meet weekly for intercessory prayer. All ladies are welcome to come and pray each Tuesday at 8:30 am in Grace House.
Visit Us On Sundays
If you want to find a place to serve, just let us know by contacting the church office. While we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to serve immediately, it will help to know your desires. Thanks again for wanting to use your gifts to serve others for God’s glory.