ABOUT US
Our Identity, Affirmations, and mission
WHO WE ARE
Montecito Covenant Church is one countless communities around the world, and throughout the generations, that seek to be marked by God’s love, commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and deep longing to live faithfully, under the authority of God’s Word, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Core values
Our denomination, the ECC, was birthed by Swedish immigrants that called themselves “mission friends.” These mission friends were noted for:
1). radical hospitality, (seeking to be known as Jesus was… “a friend of sinners”!)
2). inter-cultural curiosity, (discovering how to care for, and be strengthened by, one other)
3). humble convictions, (because even what is known to be true merits deeper understanding)
4). gracious relationships, (everyone has dignity, and all are works in progress)
5). whole-life worship. (every part of one’s life is an expression of worship)
These values are ours as well.
God’s Good News
God is good and beautiful, God tells us the truth about our brokenness, God reconciles relationships-between us and God and us and others, and God invites us to live a life marked by his good purposes. As a result of this good news, we are committed to come alongside people wherever they are in their journey of faith, and invite and encourage them to take the next steps on their own pathway into God’s good purposes for them and for others.
What We affirm
The Covenant’s core beliefs are summed up in six affirmations:
We affirm the centrality of the word of God.
We affirm the necessity of the new birth.
We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the church.
We affirm the church as a fellowship of believers.
We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ.
MISSION
A significant part of God’s good news for us and our lives is the honor of joining God in God’s good purposes. We do this as individuals, as a church family, and as partners to those serving others around the globe. As individuals we seek to discover and embrace the uniqueness in our lives meant for the good of others, as a church family we endeavor to see our nearby friends and communities to thrive in their lives and in faith, and as partners globally we seek to participate generously and humbly. In every dimension of our life we strive to live out the love, hope and joy of the gospel, as we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus.
We partner with and seek to strengthen the work of 14 nonprofit organizations by mobilizing volunteers and funding programs. Our affiliates serve populations that include youth, low-income families, vulnerable women and children and the homeless.
community OUTREACH
Network Medical
Young Life
International Students, Inc
SB Rescue Mission
Habitat for Humanity
Transition House
Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation
Santa Barbara 100
GLOBAL OUTREACH
Carl & Karen Groot
Gary & Mary Lou Sander
Waller & Mary Tabb
Centro Hispano de Estudios
Pia & Eugenio Restrepo
John & Jeanne Rodkey – “Book Ends International”
Covenant World Relief
Tim & Kim Notehelfer
Erik & Susy Brommers
