Recognizing the need for immediate discipleship innovation in response to the COVID-19 situation, Trellis Foundation released $10,000 for Pandemic Response Grants in the spring of 2020. A streamlined application was available until late in 2020 when the available funds were fully disbursed.

These grants assisted with expenses for discipling initiatives that responded to the coronavirus pandemic, or spiritual formation needs arising from it, and which aligned with Trellis’ purpose to catalyze biblical, intentional, and innovative discipleship in the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada.

Thirteen Pandemic Response Grants were awarded

Initiatives funded by Pandemic Response Grants included:

• Support for live streaming technology and training,
• Online discipleship study resources,
• Pastoral counselling education,
• Day Camp In a Box (for VBS at home),
• Visual liturgy development,
• Digital accessibility for seniors without online access,
• Discipleship study resources for men,
• Equipment for outdoor discipleship gatherings,
• Community care packages to support mental health.

The churches and ministries which received these grants are:

Emmanuel Covenant Church, City Collective Church, Covenant Heights Bible Camp, Norquay Covenant Church, Hope Community Covenant Church, College Park Covenant Church, Holy Community Covenant, Rosebud Church, College Park Covenant Church, Lighthouse Community Church, Green Timbers Covenant Church, Balfour Covenant Church, and Lake Ridge Community Church.