East Coast Conference

A search process has begun by the East Coast Conference to call a new Associate Superintendent, with primary responsibility to serve as Director of Church Planting and Congregational Vitality. Recommendations and inquiries for the position are welcome, and should be directed in confidence via email to Rev. Howard K. Burgoyne, Conference Superintendent (howard.burgoyne[at]gmail.com). The deadline for recommendations and inquiries is September 21, 2009.

East Coast Conference 2020 Vision

The Conference has established a prayerful and strategic mission plan focused on four signature priorities of conference wide ministry. Believing we are a movement of God, the mission of the Conference is to:

Multiply congregations – by planting new missional churches;
Orchestrate ministries – by connecting district churches for shared ministry & mission;
Vitalize Congregations – by coaching pastors and church leaders to embrace renewal;
Empower leaders – by building a culture of trustworthy Christian leadership;

Our vision for mission by the year 2020 includes the following benchmarks:
100+ vital congregations growing deeper in Christ and further in mission;
(currently we are comprised of 76 churches and church plants)
Dozens of new churches planted and growing in every conference state and the District of Columbia;
5,000 new followers of Jesus being discipled and serving Christ in our churches;
Our churches doubling the number of people they now serve outside their congregation;
A new generation of believers raised up who embody the love, grace and justice of Jesus;
Growing ethnic and cultural diversity and inclusion within and among our churches;
Churches and districts partnering in local ministries and global mission;
Christian camping and spiritual retreat ministries expanded regionally;

(July 8, 2009 – Cromwell, CT)

Peter Sung, Associate Superintendent of the East Coast Conference, has announced his resignation effective July 31, 2009 in order to accept an appointment to serve as the Director of Church Planting in the Department of Church Growth & Evangelism for the Evangelical Covenant Church, beginning August 1.

In his letter of resignation to the Superintendent and the Conference Board, Sung writes “For about a month now I’ve been living with this decision and it continues to feel right, and others continue to affirm this new call. My mixed emotions remain. I have been in the east coast my whole life; the Conference has been wonderful to my family and me; I believe in what God is doing in the Conference; I believe Howard is the man for the season. I am certain that the Conference and I will always have a special relationship, and I am willing to fill in the gap from August 1 until the Conference hires a replacement, if you so desire. I will be watching and participating in all that God is going to do in and through the Conference and her churches. I am privileged to have seen what I have seen over the past year.”

“Peter has established a strong foundation and established incredible momentum within the past 15 months in church planting,” reports Superintendent Howard Burgoyne. “While I am mourning our loss here, I am delighted to see Peter extend his influence, vision, and abilities to the larger work of the Covenant in North America. He will continue to work closely with us in our church planting initiatives, not only coaching our pastors but also assisting the next Associate Superintendent in continuing our implementation of Vision 2020. As we navigate and adapt to what God is doing, we know we will continue to thrive in the mission of Christ here in the East Coast Conference.”

Rev. Sung has served in the East Coast Conference as Associate Superintendent since May 1, 2008. Prior service included being a church planter and founding pastor of Highrock Covenant Church, Somerville (now Arlington) Massachusetts, and Queenswest Covenant Church, Long Island City, New York. In agreement with David T. Olson, Executive Minister of Church Growth & Evangelism for the Covenant, Peter will devote about 30% of his time to the Conference over the next few months during the transition going forward to secure a new Associate Superintendent for the Conference.

The Sung’s will make plans to relocate over the next year to Chicago, Illinois, but first on the agenda is the anticipated birth of their fourth daughter in late August, joining mother Susie and sisters Madelyn, Emelyn, and Sophia.