Covenant Church, Burbank, CA. Rev. Brooks


and Amanda Pipher are planting Covenant Church with Mississippi Valley Presbytery. Covenant Church celebrated one-year of public worship on April 28. Brooks says, “When I think back over the last year, I’m struck by God’s design. That God knew exactly the need for this church and exactly the people for this church. I’m so grateful to God for each one of you and the opportunities that we have weekly to gather in worship and to be in ministry together. And I’m


excited for God’s people in this place whom we haven’t yet met, but who will one day, Lord willing, be a part of Covenant Church. To God be the glory for his love for us, and his faithfulness. May Jesus Christ be praised!” At the celebration, Damian Giammichele shared his testimony (an idea he had from reading ARP Magazine) of how he has come to know and grow in Jesus over the last year, and that was a great encouragement to the church! - ugOzs2c. Brooks notes, “since coming to Covenant Church, Damian has read two books, Man Overboard by Sinclair Ferguson, and The Walk by Stephen Smallman. These two     - mian began immediately reading his Bible every day and has read an enormous amount on breaks as a bus driver.” Now Damian is sharing with the ARP Magazine.


  I connected with Pastor Brooks one evening walking my dog. This is when I found out about Covenant Church. Pastor Brooks is my next-door neighbor.


 I was raised Catholic growing up. I accepted Jesus as my savior when I was 13 years


old. At that time, I belonged to a youth group at the Los Angeles Christian Center near Los Angeles in the little town of Highland Park. Throughout my life, I have been to many different churches.


  The community and feeling the church has. It’s like a family when you are there.


 At church we are like family. Everyone is friendly and kind. Pastor Brooks develops us to love Jesus and our city, and what a blessing his love is to us.


 The church and Pastor Brooks have encouraged me to grow my faith through reading and studying the grace and gospel of God. I have found this extremely encouraging in the growth of my faith.


 I pray each week for the youth development of our church. I pray for hope and en- couragement through God’s grace and prayer that it will develop and grow. I believe the youth development is a big part in ours and any church’s growth.


 God’s grace is not effective if you don’t take time to understand what each verse is saying. Also always remember to pray each day.


Brooks concludes, “Damian is highlighting something that he has learned over the last year — that the Bible is not meant merely to be read—but also to be understood.”


“Planting, Strengthening, and Evangelizing.” July/August 2024 15


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