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New Pastor Ready to Establish 'covenant' With New Community

By: Steve Scheffler
| Published 10/30/2011

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Covenant United Methodist Church Forming in Village of Creekside Park

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Jason Burnham is a pastor on the move. Literally. Earlier this year, Reverend Burnham moved from Bryan, TX, to The Woodlands in order to plant a new church on the southern edge of the master-planned community. Just a few short months later, and Covenant United Methodist Church is on the verge of launching weekly worship services in the early part of 2012.

The church meets at the Creekside YMCA (6464 Creekside Forest Dr., Spring, TX 77389). During the fall, Covenant UMC is conducting several “preview” worship services as it prepares for weekly services beginning in January. The next service is scheduled for Sunday, November 13, at 10 a.m.

A graduate of Centenary College of Louisiana, and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Burnham sees unlimited potential for Covenant UMC to fulfill its mission, which is to make witnesses of Jesus Christ that will reach unconvinced and uncommitted people.

“Covenant is uniquely positioned,” said Burnham of the new church. “Geographically, we couldn’t be in a better spot. There is so much growth in north Spring, Tomball, as well as the southern part of The Woodlands. Being one of the only places of worship in the Village of Creekside Park certainly doesn’t hurt, either.”

Burnham, who is married (Lauren) and has two young children (Addison and Aidan), noted that with new residents moving in to the area, many are seeking a new church home. He believes that Covenant’s focus on four connection points for its members will create a solid community of faith—one that will serve God in countless ways.

“In order to be a witness you have to have a testimony to offer,” said Burnham. “Covenant’s four connection points – Reach, Worship, Grow and Serve – keep us connected in Christ and provide us with a testimony to the world. We are committed to reach, worship, grow and serve, not only for our personal spiritual health, but also for the witness that we are called to share with others. Our connection points are built around a Christ-centered congregation,” he added, “one that does much more than worship together on Sundays.”

For the past five years, Burnham served St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Bryan.

“I arrived in Bryan five years ago to be the lead pastor of a new church that was just barely off the ground,” said Burnham. While there, I led worship for four years as a portable church in an elementary school, organized the body around a clear vision of ministry, and built the first permanent worship space. All of these rich experiences have prepared me for the work at Covenant.”

During his time at St. Luke’s, Burnham saw his congregation grow—both in numbers and in faith.

“If we want to take serious our identity as Christians,” he said, “we must be willing to put in the effort it takes to live Christ-centered lives. Uncommitted and unconvinced people regularly look at ‘Christians’ who are content in their sin and think, ‘If following Jesus looks like that, I want no part of it.’ At St. Luke's, I led a congregation to become more intentional in its faith and subsequently watched many people change their perspective on what it means to live as followers of Jesus.”

Worship services at Covenant, according to Burnham, are casual and contemporary.

“We strive to offer a welcoming environment where families and individuals can come in and experience the word of God. It is welcoming to families and individuals of every age and life stage. While at worship, your children will be cared for by a professional staff or experience a wonderfully engaging, Biblically-based lesson. The preaching is relevant and engaging, while remaining rooted in God's word.”

The music at Covenant is provided in the form of a praise band led by Michael Rafferty, director of music and worship. Rafferty, who also graduated from Centenary College with a bachelor of music in music education, served as the contemporary worship leader at Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA, for the past three years.

While the church doesn’t own land yet, there are plans to purchase property on a major thoroughfare somewhere south of Spring Creek in the vicinity of the Village of Creekside Park. In the meantime, said Burnham, worshippers at Covenant are excited about the advantages of being a “portable church.”

“It gives us time to dream and to discern God’s will for our congregation. God has provided a virtual blank slate for Covenant. I feel so excited—so blessed—to be on this journey of faith with our growing number of worshippers.”

As a pastor on the move, Burnham appreciates the exhilaration, excitement and challenges that leading a new church brings.

“Life is an adventure,” he says, “if you’re willing to let God be your guide.”

For more information about Covenant UMC, visit their website or Facebook page. To contact Reverend Burnham, e-mail at the button below.

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