The American Psychological Association released findings from its "Stress in America" survey on the second anniversary of the pandemic, just a few days ago. Americans are stressed about many things, including the economy, the war in Ukraine, and the pandemic itself. “The number of people who say they’re significantly stressed about these most recent events is stunning relative to what we’ve seen s...  Read More

The war in Ukraine continues to rage on and today there were increasing reports of attacks on civilians. We mourn the loss of life and the evil of war. Please take a moment to pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia. May God have mercy.The Evangelical Covenant Church, through Covenant World Relief and Development, is partnering with the International Federation of Free Evangelical ...  Read More

We observed the first day of Lent with the imposition of ashes—a sign of the cross placed on our foreheads—and the words, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return."As we consider our mortality, reflect on our sin, and contemplate the fallen nature of the world (which, to be honest, is pretty easy to do nowadays), let's also remember our great hope in Jesus.(Art by Samantha Carroll)...  Read More

We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Tim Dally will serve as transition pastor for Fountain of Life Covenant Church! Pastor Tim has a wealth of ministry experience and has served as a senior pastor, church planter, youth pastor, and executive pastor. He has led two Covenant churches, most recently, Pasadena Covenant Church. Pastor Tim also serves as professor of ministry and biblical studi...  Read More

On Sunday, February 13, we celebrated God's faithfulness over the last 15 years of our church, especially what he is doing through Life Groups and ministries in West Long Beach. The service included testimonies, beautiful decorations, and a collaborative art project designed by Samantha Carroll. (Watch the testimonies here.)The FOL Officers and staff are grateful to so many people who contributed ...  Read More

 BELLFLOWER – Within moments of the opening whistle, the paint-splattered men marched back to the starting line, arms raised in surrender. After a stunned silence, they began to ask, “Who got you?” One name emerged from their lips: “James.”James Carroll, FOL youth director, charged behind enemy lines, dodging countless yellow spheres fired in his direction. He led his youth team to victory with a ...  Read More

Take a moment to read this familiar verse:  "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13:1 ESV)Now read this statement by Thomas Oden:"Ponder this as if with African eyes: Mark, Lucius of Cyrene and [Simeon] were all together in Antioch, praying and fastin...  Read More

As a marriage and family therapist, I often think about what God—our Creator, Healer, Counselor, and Liberator—means for our mental health during life on Earth. In the communities I work in, traumatic events happen frequently, e.g., violence, tragic deaths, poverty, and homelessness. Traumatic experiences like these can create physical changes in the hum...  Read More

"There is something countercultural about the posture of joy."Mark Sayers, author of The Disappearing Church (and its more hopeful sequel, The Reappearing Church)If you're like most of us, it's not easy "count it all joy" in the midst of trials (James 1:2). To be sure, 2020, 2021, and now, 2022, have had their share of trials!Mark Sayers, recently discussed leadership postures for a new season. "P...  Read More

 psalm 25:5here’s a thing that I know:it hasn’t always been like thisand it will not always belike this. and I know‘there’s a season for everything’and i know‘it came to pass' but why does itcome to passso slowly?and why did it come at all?and i want to skip the season of sicknessand self-doubt and sin and struggle(i am from long beachand why shouldn’t sunshinelast forever?) i know youwillneverlea...  Read More

by Sarah Jenson and Clarissa Brunt"Advent remains with its paradoxical combination of waiting and hastening (2 Peter 3:12), suffering and joy, judgment and deliverance, apocalyptic woe and eschatological hope. It is the combination that counts. This is the way Christians live now, for "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never mastered it. (John 1:5 REB)" — Fleming Rutledge, Adv...  Read More

As I drove south on Santa Fe Avenue, the news droned on in the background and my mind settled on some nameless anxiety. Suddenly, a single jacaranda flower twirled down from a tree and hit the windshield with a tiny but audible "pock!" Two words entered my mind: "Look up!" I knew that I shouldn't take the words literally—since I was driving—but I turned off the radio, and gave my anxiety to the Lo...  Read More