Covenant Agreement
Between the South West Bethel Synod and Trinity United Presbyterian Church


Preamble:

God's word tells us that "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" [Eccl. 4:12]. We South West Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and Trinity United Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, California pledge ourselves to each other in a partnership of equals in which Jesus Christ is the "third strand" who bind us together. Within this covenant, we stand together as humble recipients of God's grace to see "his kingdom come and his will be done". We seek to encourage each other, to understand each other, to bear suffering together, to enjoy the fellowship of Christ together, and to take "the whole gospel for the whole person to the whole world".

During the next four years, we will seek to express this partnership through mutual exchange of pastors and work groups and through correspondence, intercessory prayer and special gifts. Throughout this time we will seek to evaluate and strengthen our ties, and to be open to whatever further endeavors the Holy Spirit may lead us in the days ahead.

Needs to be Addressed Within the Partnership:

Needs identified by Trinity United Presbyterian Church (Trinity) which South West Bethel Synod (SWBS) may address:
  1. Prayer for the growth and outreach of Trinity.
  2. Increased awareness of the global church with emphasis on the EECMY.
  3. Teaching us at Trinity of God's proven faithfulness to our Ethiopian brethren through times of severe trials and showing us your zeal for the lost.
  4. Increased awareness of our Presbyterian connection with Ethiopia.
  5. Personal one-to-one contact with our Ethiopia brothers and sisters in Christ.
Needs identified by SWBS which Trinity may address:

(We don't know about some of the things listed and thought it likely that you would know best what to include. We would also like you to feel free to suggest other areas of work. So, for now, we have picked out only the ones here that we talked with you about when we were there.)
  1. Prayer for the overall ministry of the Synod.
  2. Financial support and prayers for the Synod Outreach Program to the Suri and Baale peoples.
  3. Suri Bible translation and literacy programs. Gifts would be made through SIL.
  4. Training for pastors, evangelists, women, lay leaders. Scholarships will be made available by Trinity and the SWBS will decide on the recipients.
  5. Prayer and possible financial support for the AIDS ministry of the Synod.
Resources Available for Sharing

What Trinity has to offer to South West Bethel Synod:
  1. Prayer support for the people and ministry of the SWBS.
  2. Promotion of the work of SWBS through a mutual exchange of visitors.
  3. Enhancement of existing community development, AIDS outreach, and leadership development programs by sending people from Trinity to assist, on a short-term basis, where needed and when possible within SWBS.
  4. Participation through the PCUSA in specific projects mutually approved by PCUSA and EECMY.
  5. Provide funding for "small" or "minor" projects, normally with a project value of less than $5,000 USD, as financial resources of Trinity become available for this purpose.

What South West Bethel Synod has to offer to Trinity:
  1. Prayer support for the people and ministry of Trinity.
  2. Connection to the global church in a concrete way.
  3. An understanding of the specific history of SWBS and how God has worked in their midst.
  4. Showing our people different forms of evangelism and discipleship.
  5. Opportunity for people from Trinity to participate in short-term missions experiences.

Commitments Made to Carry Out the Partnership Activities:

Trinity agrees:
  1. To pray regularly for the people and ministry of SWBS.
  2. To provide scholarships for pastors, evangelists, women, and lay leaders.
  3. To participate in work of the SWBS as needs become evident by providing personnel for short-term mission experiences and financial support as funds become available.
  4. To encourage the people and ministry of SWBS through correspondence, particularly in three official communications by letter each year, in January, April, and September.
  5. To advocate for SWBS with the Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) of PCUSA as needed and appropriate and when requested by SWBS.
  6. To provide partial financial assistance for visits by people from SWBS to Trinity.
  7. To abide by the partnership guidelines of the WMD of the PCUSA.

South West Bethel Synod agrees:
  1. To pray regularly for the people and ministry of Trinity.
  2. To select annually the recipients of Trinity's scholarships and to send the names, biography, and other pertinent information to Trinity.
  3. To work with Trinity in defining and establishing short-term overseas mission opportunities.
  4. To encourage the people and ministry of Trinity through correspondence, particularly in three official communications by letter each in February, June, and November.
  5. To advise Trinity if advocacy for SWBS is needed with WMD.
  6. To provide adequate living and other accommodations for people from Trinity who are invited to undertake short-term overseas mission service in the SWBS.
  7. To provide Ethiopia in-country transportation for people from Trinity once these people have arrived at SWBS Offices at Mizan Teferi. Visitors from Trinity will be responsible for their own Ethiopian in-country transportation expenses both to and from Mizan Teferi.
  8. To provide Ethiopia in-country transportation for people from SWBS when they are en route to a visit to Trinity.

Evaluation:

South West Bethel Synod and Trinity United Presbyterian Church agree to enter into an annual review process for the Partnership. The result of the review will be shared with the International Partnerships office of the Worldwide Ministries Division and with appropriate high officer of EECMY, as is appropriate.

Next Steps:

Immediate next steps include approval by Trinity United Presbyterian Church and the South West Bethel Synod, formulation of plans for future exchange visits, and establishing of other ways in which we can grow together in Christ.