WHEATON, IL (May 4, 2016) — Noted evangelical author Philip Yancey told the audience attending Faith Covenant Church’s fiftieth anniversary dinner, “I was a little surprised they wanted me to speak tonight because I wrote a book called Church: Why Bother?”
Photo (L-R): Rick Allnutt, current senior pastor; Greg Mesimore, former associate pastor and current senior pastor of Edgebrook Covenant in Chicago; Gary Walter, president of the ECC; Sarah Henry, current associate pastor; Philip Yancey, author, guest speaker on Saturday evening, and former member of FCC; and John Benson, former senior pastor, retired.
But the author of other award-winning best-sellers that include What’s So Amazing About Grace?, Disappointment with God, and Reaching for the Invisible God credited the church he attended for six years with playing a formative role in his life.
“What did I take away in my immature evolving faith during the six years I spent here?” he continued. “Faith Covenant Church gave me a sampling of life enclosed in grace.”
The suburban congregation has embodied that grace since it was planted by Glen Ellyn Covenant Church said members, who also spoke throughout the weekend celebration about how the church impacted their lives. Three hundred people attended the event.
“As a member for over 30 years, it has been the best church experience in my life, and many would say the same,” said member Jim Steere. “It is probably the healthiest church I have ever been in.
For the first two years the church met at a local elementary school. It grew rapidly and became a place known for its incorporation of the arts.
Former pastor John Benson and former associate pastor Greg Mesimore also described how the church had inspired their own ministries. Current pastor Rick Allnutt, who began serving FCC in 1998, recently announced his retirement, effective this summer.
ECC president Gary Walter preached the Sunday morning service.
A video of Yancey’s talk can be viewed on Dropbox.
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