COVENANT BETWEEN
EVERGREEN PRESBYTERIAN MINISTRIES, INC.
AND
THE SYNOD OF THE SUN, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) 

I.                    THE NATURE OF THE COVENANT 

This covenant defines the relationship of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., to the Synod of the Sun of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is a covenant made voluntarily by each party. It is an agreement for each to be accountable to the other in areas of mutual concern. Based on God’s faithfulness to us, we are making a commitment to be faithful to God in service to others. It is a commitment for the future based upon our past and present ministry together.

 II.                 PARTIES TO THE COVENANT 

Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., 4400 Viking Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana 71172-2360, is a service agency of the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The parties relate to each other through the Synod’s Operations Division and through the Synod’s designated staff liaison.  

A.     The History of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. 

In May, 1959, the Synod of Louisiana adopted as its child care program the establishment and operation of a vocational training school for young men with mental retardation and emotional problems, appointed a commission, designated funds and approved a special offering. The Commission leased, and later purchased, the physical plant of Evergreen School, which had been closed by the Webster Parish School Board.  

Evergreen School, subsequently called Evergreen Developmental Center, grew into an institution which served 240 individuals with mental retardation in the early 1980’s. In 1980, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries began to direct its attention to the development of community homes serving six individuals in typical middle class neighborhoods. The next years saw an increase in the number of homes and apartments located in the community serving Evergreen’s clients and a subsequent decline in the number of people served in institutional settings.  

Finally, by mid-1994, the Evergreen Developmental Center was closed and there were no more clients served in institutional settings. This closure occurred because the ministry became convinced that its clients could be served better in the smaller, more homelike environments in community. The closure was supported by the changes in State/Federal funding patterns. Evergreen had become 100% community-based, offering services in all four states of the Synod (Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas) plus Tennessee. The ministry now serves approximately 900 individuals with mental retardation or related conditions in a variety of community settings.  

B.     The Purpose of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc.  

The mission of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., is to help people with disabilities build better lives.  Evergreen services and supports are designed to enable people to grow spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially in a manner which leads to full inclusion in society. Evergreen respects and promotes the rights and dignity of individuals while enhancing independence through responsibility. Evergreen is characterized by Christian concern and employee competence.  

C.     The History of the Synod of the Sun as it relates to Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc.

The Synod of the Sun is the governing body which is the successor to the Synod of Red River, which was the successor to the Synod of Louisiana. The latter established Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. in 1959. 

D.     The Purpose of the Synod of the Sun 

The Synod of the Sun, a governing body of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., connects and responds to the needs of its 11 presbyteries and their congregations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.  The Synod maintains a covenantal relationship with its institutions and agencies.  

III.               BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The affairs of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries are governed by a Board of Directors. There shall be a total of nineteen directors. One director will be the current President of Friends of Evergreen. Eighteen directors are arranged in three equal classes of six. One class shall be elected each year by the Synod. Ordinarily, directors will serve two terms of three years each, and each class will contain three first-term directors and three second-term directors. Of the first-term directors in each class, one shall be nominated by Synod’s Nominating Committee and two shall be nominated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall nominate the three second-term directors.  

If there are vacancies, Evergreen’s Board of Directors will recommend replacements to Synod’s Nominating Committee. All nominations are made in accordance with the principles of representation and inclusiveness found in the BOOK OF ORDER (G-4.0400). 

IV.              COMMITMENTS 

A.     Evergreen’s Commitment to Synod of the Sun 

1.              Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. is committed to initiating and maintaining programs to further its purpose as stated in its Mission Statement.

2.              Evergreen is committed to developing new and innovative programs for ministry to those with functional disabilities or similar needs.

3.              Evergreen is committed to providing opportunities for students from a variety of institutions to develop expertise in working with persons with functional disabilities. Evergreen will work with seminarians, pastors, youth groups, international students, and social work and psychology interns.

4.              Evergreen is committed to providing spiritual enrichment to clients and staff. Evergreen will work with local churches, providing opportunities for them to be involved in the spiritual life of Evergreen clients.

5.              Evergreen commits itself to reporting annually to the Synod’s Operations Division. 

B.     Synod’s Commitment to Evergreen 

1.              The Synod of the Sun is committed to supporting Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. through prayer.

2.              The Synod is committed to encourage financial support by consideration and approval of fundraising campaigns throughout the Synod.

3.              The Synod commits itself to interpreting Evergreen’s work and financial needs to the membership of the congregations within its bounds and encouraging responsible stewardship on its behalf.

4.              The Synod is committed to educating the Church about developmental disabilities, encouraging congregations within its bounds to extend Christ’s hospitality to people with disabilities, and to providing Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. the opportunity to do so.

5.              The Synod is committed to providing informed and concerned persons to the Board of Directors of Evergreen.

6.              Synod will provide a staff liaison to Evergreen. 

V.                 REVIEW OF THIS COVENANT 

This covenant shall be in effect for five years. It shall be reviewed before the end of that period. The Covenant Review Team shall be composed of at least two persons nominated by the Board of Directors of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., and at least two persons nominated by the Synod. The Board of Directors of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. will appoint one of these persons as moderator. This team will review the current covenant and may recommend amendments. The Covenant Review Team will report to the Synod and to the Board of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. At the request of either party, a review may be initiated prior to the expiration date of the covenant.

 VI.              APPROVAL 

This covenant becomes effective when approved by the Board of Directors of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. and by the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

            PREPARED BY COVENANT TEAM ON MARCH 31, 2006 

            TEAM COMPOSED OF: 
                        Mr. Elton L. Williams, Lake Charles, LA, Moderator
                        Mr. John R. Taylor, Bossier City, LA
                        Mr. Jerald M. Adams, Stilwell, OK
                        Mr. John Compton, Baton Rouge, LA
                        Mr. Stanley M McAnelly, Dallas, TX
                        Rev. Kathy E. Muder, Natchitoches, LA 
                        Rev. Lemuel García-Arroyo, Denton, TX