Our purpose is to know Jesus and make Him known by:
Our Leadership Team
Kyle Burkholder
Elder | Pastor
Kyle grew up in San Antonio, is a husband and father of two girls with a passion for making the Scripture known in a compelling way for believers and skeptics alike.
John Cuckler
Elder
John is a CPA with a servant's heart. He and his wife Wendie have been members of Covenant for over three decades. They have 4 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
Matt Padgett
Elder
Matt is a husband and financial advisor who enjoys Pittsburgh sports. Matt has a passion for service and is deeply involved as a member of Rotary and the local Young Life committee.
Rob Green
Elder
Rob is a father of three and a Professor of Computer Science with a passion for teaching the Gospel and training followers of Christ with clarity and consistency.
Casey Andis
Discipleship Director
Casey is a husband and father of three young children who loves to help others deepen their relationship with Jesus through seeing and experiencing Him on a daily basis.
Ryan Braucksieck
Facilities Director
Ryan is married to Ashley and a father of two. Ryan has a natural gifting for managing facilities, working on projects, but most importantly making Jesus known.
Rebekah Benschoter
Covenant Kids Assistant Director
Rebekah is married to Jason and a mother of 2. She teaches kindergarten and coaches for the BG Christian Academy and also serves on Staff with Covenant Kids brining the gospel to kids all week.
Megan Miller
Covenant Students Director
Megan is a dedicated teacher with a heart devoted to nurturing middle and high school student connections both to God and among peers. She desires to cultivate an environment where young minds and spirits flourish.
Greg Jenkins
Worship Director
Greg is a father of two, a foster parent, a graphic designer and web developer, and a musician who loves to lead people in singing musically diverse and theologically rich songs.
Robert McMahan
Connection Director
Robert is a dynamic, servant-hearted leader with a passion for empowering others, young and old alike. He also leads Production, and our hospitality teams.
Alisson Armentano
Covenant Kids Director
Alisson is married to Terence and a mother of eight with a contagious joy and a gift for teaching children the gospel in a relatable way that they can engage with and get excited about.
Robin Doolan
Staff Administrator
Robin is married to Stymie and a mother to three daughters. She loves serving and being a part of the “behind the scenes” aspects of things. Her heart is for Jesus and whatever He calls her to do.
The Early Days
During the summer of 1971 a group of students – then known as The Fellowship – began meeting to pray and study the Bible on the lawn of BGSU. As the group grew and became more established, they moved inside and held worship meetings at Prout Chapel. In 1976, the church adopted the name Charis Community – the Greek word for grace. In 1984, we built our current building and gave ourselves a new name: Covenant Church.
Our Story Continues
More than 40 years later, many members of that original bible study are a crucial part of our community – with children and grandchildren adding to their legacy. While our name has changed, we still hold on to the core values of fellowship and grace. Our heart is to be a place where members of the local community can come and experience the life-changing power of Jesus.
The Gospel In Action
The truth and beauty of the gospel transforms every aspect of life. We link arms with a network of providers located throughout our communities to create opportunities to engage and love our neighbors. Click a logo below to learn more about the incredible organizations we support.
Statement of Faith
What do we believe?
At Covenant Church , we believe the statements contained in both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed outline the essential Biblical truths accepted by Christians of all traditions.
In essential beliefs, we have unity.
In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.
In all our beliefs we show charity.
We believe in God the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
- Genesis 1:1, 26-27
- Genesis 3:22
- Psalm 90:2
- Matthew 28:19
- 1 Peter 1:2
- 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe that Jesus Christ, who as God incarnate, is Lord and Savior, and our exalted Prophet, Priest, and King.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
- Matthew 1:22-23
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:1-5, 10-30
- Hebrews 4:14-15
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Romans 1:3-4
- Acts 1:9-11
- 1 Timothy 6:14-15
- Titus 2:13
We believe in the person, work, power, fruit, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men and women aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, and gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. While the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, they are to be baptized in and continually filled with the Spirit of God for powerful, fruitful lives.
- Romans 8:9
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
- John 16:7-14, 16-17
- Acts 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 2:12
- 1 Corinthians 3:16
- Ephesians 1:13
- Galatians 5:25
- Ephesians 5:18
We believe that the sixty-six canonical books of the Bible, as originally written, are the divinely inspired and inerrant Word of God. As such, it provides the only rule of Christian faith and practice.
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
- 2 Peter 1:20-21
- 2 Timothy 1:13
- Psalm 12:6
- Psalm 119:105
- Psalm 119:160
- Proverbs 30:5
We believe that faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only basis for eternal salvation and that true faith results in works of righteousness.
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Every person is born with original sin, and within himself has no potential for good. Man’s depravity has caused God to judge His creation and separate Himself from man.
- Genesis 1:27
- Psalm 8:3-6
- Isaiah 53:6a
- Romans 3:23
- Isaiah 59:1-2
- Psalm 119:160
- Proverbs 30:5
We believe that the mission of the church is to advance God’s kingdom by discipling the nations and training its members into spiritual maturity while extending the love of God.
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection according to Scripture can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
- Romans 6:23
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- John 1:12
- John 14:6
- Titus 3:5
- Galatians 3:26
- Romans 5:1
We believe that Christians by the Spirit of God ought to fulfill the ethical requirements of God’s law.
King Jesus ordained two rites under the New Covenant that identify us with His atoning death, His justifying resurrection, and His heavenly coronation: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Those who trust in Him for salvation are to be immersed in water to signify their new birth and citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven . Each Sunday, every saved believer is invited to celebrate this covenantal meal, partaking of bread that represents His body and wine that represents His blood, while proclaiming His victory over sin and death and His coming triumphant return.
- Matthew 23:19-20
- Mark 16:16
- Acts 2:38-39
- Colossians 2:11
- 1 Peter 3:18-22
- Matthew 26:17-29
- Luke 22:7-22
- Mark 14:12-25
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
- Galatians 3:26-27
We believe that Jesus Christ will return visibly and bodily to the earth to judge the living and the dead.
People were created to exist forever. We will be either eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
- John 3:16
- John 14:17
- Romans 6:23
- Romans 8:17-18
- 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
- Revelation 20:15