Five years ago I spent over two months in India for an internship through my university. I spent most of my time working for a non-profit organization, but I also wanted to meet anyone in the Church that I could while I was there. I remember planning a weekend trip and explaining to my coworkers that I would be staying with people I didn’t know, but I knew it would be safe because they were in my Church. I had a difficult time convincing my hosts at the organization; they had never heard of something like that before.

But it didn’t seem strange to me at all, because I grew up in God’s Church, which is a family that reaches around the world. I grew up experiencing many examples of that family trust, generosity, and community from people I had never met before.

I hope that for you all Compass Check can be an extension of that community. Ideally it is a place to share and support one another, even when we can’t see each other in person. We can make good use of the trust that bonds us despite our limits of distance and time, reminding each other of our common goals, challenges, and hope. And we can learn from one another.

The Church has given me countless blessings, so I’m excited to give back in a small way through my role here. I look forward to widening and deepening our Church community through each issue of this magazine.

Your friend,

Kourtney Kovanis