EUGENE, OR (July 7, 2011) – Covenanter Charles Jock, who came to this country as a refugee from Sudan while a child, earned a berth on the United States Track Team for the IAAF World Championships following his performance in the 800 meters competition at the USA Track & Field Championships on June 26.

Jock attends College Center Covenant Church in San Diego, California. He was one of 80 Sudanese refugees who first visited the church in February 1997 – Jock’s father was one of the group’s leaders. His father died five years ago. Jock’s mother, Mary, still attends the church.

Jock, who just finished his junior year at University of California-Irvine has made a name for himself during his collegiate career. He has a simple strategy for running an 800-meter race – start fast and make his competitors chase him. The strategy seemed to work in the final race, but failed in the final seconds.

He led for the first 700 meters and held on to finish third with a time of 1:44.67, a record for the University of California-Irvine. He broke his own mark of 1:44.75, which he set at the NCAA Championships earlier this month.

After the race, Jock said, “I felt in control and felt great today. I got my personal record and I’m happy with that. I made the team and I can’t be mad.”

Jock, hopes to eventually make the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2012 Summer Games. For now, he is concentrating on the World Championships, which will be held in Daegu, South Korea, August 27-September 4.

CRC Invitation Will Benefit Habitat For Humanity

LENEXA, KS – Construction of a new Covenant Retirement Community (CRC) here could benefit Heartland Habitat for Humanity, which will be able to salvage materials from two older homes that must be demolished.

Heartland Habitat has been invited to salvage building materials, fixtures, lighting and other usable materials from the homes prior to demolition. The salvaged materials will then be sold, with net proceeds benefiting Heartland Habitat and its building projects in five surrounding communities.

Covenant Retirement Communities is constructing Covenant Place of Lenexa, a multifaceted senior living complex, near 85th and Pflumm. Work is expected to be completed in 2013. It will offer a continuum of services, including residential independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Starting in early 2012, Covenant Place will begin taking fully refundable deposits for future residents through its Founders Club program.

Covenant Retirement Communities is a not-for-profit ministry operated by Ministries of Benevolence on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church. It operates 15 retirement communities located throughout the United States. Click here for more information or call 800-255-8989.

Church Hopes to ‘Shock The Block’

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Berean Covenant Church is engaging the community with its “Shock the Block” programming this summer.

In June, the church went to different street corners throughout Champaign to pray. They prayed for one store to lose its liquor license because they believed it contributed to social problems within the community.

Every Saturday of July, members are providing what is known as a sidewalk Sunday school. In August, the congregants also will present a backyard Bible study for neighboring residents.