HILLSBORO, Kan. – Tabor College is delighted to announce a new fraternal relationship with Evana Network. The partnership opens doors for collaboration among the Anabaptist community.
Tabor is the first higher education institution to sign a fraternal agreement with Evana Nework and hopes to continue to show its investment in the Anabaptist community and traditions by connecting with the churches, pastors and youth in the network.
Evana Network, whose name comes from the words evangelical and Anabaptist, works with institutions to provide collaboration and open discussion across the membership. The network serves multiple denominations with a focus on helping churches engage in their communities.
“We’re thrilled to expand our partnerships to include Evana Network,” said Tabor College President Jules Glanzer. “The group is one that aligns well with the mission and vision of Tabor and we look forward to collaborating with the pastors and churches involved.”
Both organizations hope the partnership offers growth opportunities outside their current circles. One of the goals of both Tabor and Evana is greater youth awareness and involvement.
“At the core of our partnership is an excitement about sharing Tabor with our youth as a place for Christ-centered education,” said John Troyer, executive director for Evana Network.
Although the formal partnership is new, the two organizations have been working together informally for nearly a year.
“We have been working together for a while and Tabor’s staff has already jumped in to support our efforts,” Troyer said. “Staff have attended our events and gatherings to meet and share with pastors and youth and have been very well received.”
In addition to outreach to youth, the two institutions are invested in continued education for pastors. Tabor’s master’s degree in ministry entrepreneurship and innovation provides an opportunity for pastors to receive ministry training that positions them to uniquely fill needs in their community.
“Tabor’s MEI program is the perfect training format for our pastors who wish to engage more directly with their community,” Troyer said. “The program provides mentorship, collaboration across the fields of business and ministry and supports success by building practical skills. It connects wonderfully with the goals of Evana.”
Tabor, too, is excited about the new relationship. Evana Network includes 30 churches, mostly in the Midwest and Northeast part of the country and one church in Canada. Troyer his team continue to expand the network and talk to churches, schools and camps everyday sharing the network’s mission.
Evana hosts events and gatherings several times a year to help facilitate in person connection and collaboration. In February pastors will come together in Florida for “Flourishing” a retreat meant to help connect participants with God and each other. This summer “Re-gen” for both adults and youth will be held in Indiana as a multi-denominational gathering for worship and study.
“We hope our relationship with Evana will provide an even stronger bond with pastors and churches that share our same values,” Glanzer said. “Likewise we know our students, faculty and staff will benefit from the resources and opportunities that come from working together.”