WHAT SHAPES US
These are the values that shape us and what we’re committed to living out together.
Scripture & Spirit
We follow Jesus through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
Rooted in the Neighborhood
We are committed to presence in our community.
Raising Up Leaders
We invest in disciples, especially the next generation.
Restoration
We join God’s work of healing and reconciliation.
Radical Hospitality
We create spaces of belonging for all people.
Denomination
The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) is a rapidly growing multi-ethnic denomination in the United States and Canada with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the word of God, the gift of God’s grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through a faith with Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God’s love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity. We have more than 850 congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada. We have mission partnerships around the globe in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and North Africa, joining the global church in extending the whole gospel across cultures and around the world. For more information about our denomination, visit: https://covchurch.org/
About God
We believe in one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of all things, full of love, power, and glory, and He is actively at work in the world today.
Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, Philippians 1:6.
About Jesus
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. He came to reveal the Kingdom of God, lived without sin, died for our sins, and rose again. Through Him, we are invited into new life, and one day He will return to make all things new.
John 1:1–14, John 3:16, Matthew 24:30, Acts 2:22-24, Philippians 2:5–11, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.
About the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is present and active today—renewing, guiding, and empowering us. The Spirit forms us to become more like Jesus and equips us to participate in God’s work in the world.
John 14:16–17, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:9–11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:22–23
About Scripture
We believe the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It reveals who God is, tells the story of redemption, and guides how we live, believe, and follow Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16–17, Psalm 119:105, 2 Peter 1:20–21
About Humanity
We believe every person is created in the image of God and carries inherent dignity and worth. At the same time, we recognize the reality of sin and brokenness in the world, and our need for God’s grace and restoration.
Genesis 1:27 · Psalm 139:13–14 · Romans 3:22-24
About Salvation
We believe salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus. Through Him, we are forgiven, restored, and adopted into God’s family, invited into a life of transformation and eternal hope.
Ephesians 2:8–9 · Romans 3:23–24 · Galatians 4:4–7
About Worship
We believe we are created to worship God with our whole lives. Worship is expressed through prayer, Scripture, song, community, and the way we live—forming us as a people centered on God.
Romans 12:1 · John 4:23–24 · Colossians 3:16–17
About Justice
We believe God is just and calls His people to reflect His character in the world.
Justice is about restoring right relationships—with God, with others, and with creation. Throughout Scripture, God shows deep concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable.
Because every person is made in God’s image, we seek to practice mercy, pursue justice, and work toward the restoration of lives and communities. We believe the gospel not only reconciles us to God but also compels us to love our neighbors and seek the peace and wholeness of our city.
Micah 6:8 · Isaiah 1:17 · Isaiah 58:6–10 · Luke 4:18–19 · Matthew 25:35–40 · James 1:27
About Sexuality
We believe God created humanity in His image as male and female, and that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God, designed to be expressed within that covenant.
At the same time, we believe all people are deeply loved by God and welcomed into the transforming grace of Jesus. We are committed to being a community marked by truth, compassion, humility, and hospitality—where everyone has space to explore faith and pursue life with Jesus.
Genesis 1:27 · Genesis 2:24 · Matthew 19:4–6 · 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 · Hebrews 13:4 · Ephesians 4:15 · Romans 8:1
Because Justice Matters
El Camino Covenant Church and Because Justice Matters share the same roots.
Because Justice Matters is a Christ-centered nonprofit building pathways to brighter futures for women and girls in San Francisco.
El Camino is a church that grew out of the BJM community and is now taking shape as a gathering place for people from all backgrounds across the city to follow Jesus together.
While distinct, they are deeply connected, sharing a common foundation of justice, mercy, and a commitment to the flourishing of the city.