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Our Connections
Our Connections
About Our ConferenceThe Southeast Conference has a spiritual destiny. The 47 churches and fellowship groups that comprise the Conference are called to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. Together our congregations comprise a powerful force to share God's redeeming love to mankind. The mission of the Southeast Conference is to build strong churches that will bring people into a saving and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. While we serve all of the states in conference (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee) our physical office is located in Atlanta Georgia. Our churches are located throughout the seven states we serve. Please visit the “Our Churches” section to find the closest congregation.For a detailed history of the conference, please visit “Our History” About Our DenominationThe Southeast Conference is a part of the Evangelical Covenant Church. We are proud to be a part of a denomination that is biblical, historical, evangelical and relational. Just as we are better together here in the Southeast, we are better together nationally because of our denomination. For more information on the denomination, please visit www.covchurch.org. 2008 SEC Pastors, Ministers, and Spouse Retreat 
The 2008 Pastors, Ministers & Spouse Retreat was held
on Tuesday, October 7th - Thursday, October 9th in Oviedo, Florida at the
Canterbury Conference and Retreat Center. Our theme was "Finding Your
Spiritual Rhythm for the Demands of Ministry: Recharge, Revive and
Refresh." Our speakers were Professor Richard Carlson, North Park
Theological Seminary and Rev. Jolene Bergstrom Carlson, Associate
Superintendent of the Central Conference.
In response to the surveys from last years retreat the
format was changed with more times of intentional and meaningful connections. We
began with wonderful conversation at our Connecting Lunch and opened our time
around the communion table. The Carlson's gave us spiritual resources for our
devotional arsenal with times to experience practicing them and reporting on
what we discovered as we intentionally sought to be in God's presence during
retreat.
The Covenant's representative, Dr. John
Phelan brought updates on the denomination, the university and the
seminary. He highlighted new personnel and a listening tour he will embark
on among churches in each conference this upcoming year.
Dr. Robert Owens shared prayer concerns for pastors,
ministers and spouses who were not with us due to illness or accidents. He also
shared areas of prayer for our conference.
One of the highlights of the retreat was the participant
led worship on Saturday evening as pastors, ministers, and spouses brought
elements of our retreat time to worship.
Each morning we rose in praise to God in song and
thanksgiving and for healing. We closed our retreat with special time of
prayer by state for our churches and ministries.
Here are a few photos of our time together and a few examples of comments from
the evaluations of those who attended.
This retreat was great! I'm taking away
the power of prayer.
This retreat was much more than I
expected. I'm taking away the spiritual focus, the rest and new
friendships.
I'm taking away the reminders to go deep
with God.
I was reminded of the need to be together
and recharge with one another. This retreat exceeded my expectation. I'm taking
away the importance of breathing deeply spiritually.
This is the first time I've attended as a
spouse and I'm not sure what I expected, but my time here really did exceed my
expectation.
Richard and Jolene brought a fresh
perspective to experiencing the ebbs and flows of God's rhythms in our
lives.
Starting with communion with the
invitation to lay aside our weights allowed me to enter into retreat. Thanks for
starting with fellowship over our lunch and then the invitation to the
table.
Morning praise and singing was wonderful.
Everyday should start off that way!
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