Pastor Covington's Biography

Rev. Dr. Larry E. Covington serves as the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer United Church of Christ located at 734 Apple Street, in Burlington, North Carolina. He is the youngest of five sons born to Mr. Johnny and Mrs. Edna Covington. He was educated in the public school system in Danville, Virginia. At a young age he accepted Christ and became an active member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Danville.
Pastor Covington is a 1975 graduate of George Washington High School. He received an Associates Degree in Education from Danville Community College, a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Liberty Baptist College, a Masters in Theology from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach at the Trinity Baptist Church in April of 1981. Pastor Covington was ordained at the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church in December of 1981 and received Ministerial Full Ordination to the United Church of Christ in October of 1996. He holds dual standing with the Baptist and the United Church of Christ denominations. On July 15, 2007, he earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Eastern Carolina Christian College in Roanoke Rapids, NC. In 1980 while at Liberty Baptist College (now Liberty University) he became the first African-American RA, and in June 2008 he was featured in the “Memories” of the Liberty Journal for this accomplishment.

Under Pastor Covington’s holy led and visionary leadership many new vital ministries have been added, and established ministries have been revitalized. Our services are now broadcast on local radio stations and also on cable T.V. in the surrounding counties. Because of the dynamic growth, we are having two Sunday Morning Worship Services weekly: 8:00 am and 11:00 am. And because of his passion for academic and theological education, Pastor Covington has led us into developing an After-school program that tutors youth from Pre-K through High School. He is Founder/Dean of the Ebenezer Institute for Theological Studies that was established to assist adults who wish to further their theological education. Pastor Covington has also led us into starting The Excel Christian Academy - a Christian based educational school beginning with age 2 through Pre-K. In 2000 Pastor Covington led us into the Nehemiah project, a building program that included building a 13,000 sq. foot multi-purpose family enrichment center and the purchasing of more property. This center is called the Ebenezer Center for Christian Opportunities and the completion date was July of 2002. In August of 2002 Pastor Covington led us into the opening of the Ebenezer Center for Christian Opportunities (ECCO) with a special dedication ceremony.

Also under Pastor Covington’s visionary leadership, the Manasseh and Ephraim Transition Home for Men was established. The goal of the Manasseh & Ephraim Transition Ministry is to engage brothers in a positive, loving, caring, residential environment based on Christian principles so that life transformation can take place. The program is one of dignity and one that will encourage total healing of the whole person. Through support groups, individual treatment plans, mentoring, devotional study, Bible Study, a strong work regiment and community service supported by a loving, affirming local congregation for eighteen months, the brothers will be given another chance to put together a life that they can be proud of.

Pastor Covington serves as an integral part of the fabric of the local and surrounding communities. Organizations
and committees include: Board Member for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Piedmont, the United Way, G.R.A.S.P.S. (a scholarship program affiliated with the Burlington Housing Authority), Alamance Partnership for Children, Allied Churches, the Downtown Clergy Association, A.C.E. (Alamance Citizens for Education), and the N.A.A.C.P. He also served in the Chaplaincy at the Burlington Police Department. Pastor Covington has had the honor of addressing the Hugh M. Cummings High School and the Graham High School Baccalaureate Services, the graduating class at Bartlett Yancey Senior High School and Walter M. Williams High School. In July, 2007 he was Commencement Speaker for the Eastern Carolina Christian College, in Roanoke Rapids, NC, and he has been the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet speaker here in Alamance County.

Pastor Covington is also known as a revivalist, a lecturer, and an advocate for our children. He is requested often to conduct leadership conferences, has traveled widely, and he has shared the Gospel across denominational and cultural lines. He also spends a considerable amount of time counseling and teaching others from our community and beyond.

Our Pastor is unselfish with the gifts that God has placed in his life. His favorite scripture is Matthew 6: 33. He puts God first in all that he does. Pastor Covington quotes the word of Jesus often when the Master said, “Believe on me for the works that I do.” Patents and publications include: “Moving the Church from the Bleachers to the Field” (a workshop manual for church growth and evangelism) and “Building a Healthy Church in the African American Community.”

Pastor Covington is married to the former Caroline O’Neal of Zebulon, NC. He is the father of two adult children; Joshua Covington of Arlington, Texas, and Jodi Covington (husband Edwin) Lewis of Arlington, Texas. He is also the grandfather of two beautiful granddaughters: Amenia and Amelia Lewis. Pastor and Mrs. Covington presently reside in Graham, North Carolina.