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HOST BIOGRAPHY
Jenifer L. Covill, also known as Usdigeyvqua Gayvhi (Running Brook), was born in Norman, Oklahoma on the eve of Thanksgiving, November 1965. Jeny "Running Brook" is Cherokee and Powhatan descent and comes from the Ani Wodi (Paint Clan). Through family oral tradition and historical records she has been aware of her American Indian heritage since she was a small child. However, she was not raised within her Cherokee culture. Jeny has been pursuing a greater understanding of it in her adult life, even to the point of becoming an advocate for indigenous cultural expression.
Jeny became a Christian in July 1989, married in September 1989, became enrolled with the Amonsoquath Tribe of Cherokee in 2001, and participated in a traditional naming ceremony in 2002. Jeny was ordained with Indigenous Messengers International in December of 2007.
From 1989 to 1997 Jeny and her husband, David, attended Good News Fellowship Church in Daly City, CA. During those years, Jeny served as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator, facilitated a ladies Bible study/ prayer group, was on the worship team and did some light office work for the church.
In 1997, David and Jeny returned to Montana, with their two young children. From 1997 to 2001, Jeny volunteered as the secretary for a local Native American/ Christian evangelistic ministry, Warriors for Christ!. She also served in her local church, Fellowship Alliance Church, as the secretary for the Governing Board, and did light volunteer work for missionary/ minister, Joan Melrose, founder of Christian Life Teachings.
In 2001, Jeny stepped out of the other ministries to respond to the Creator’s calling for her to begin full-time ministry through First Nations Monday, which began in May 2000.
For 10 years, First Nations Monday has served faith communities and indigenous communities with various prayer mobilization projects and networking forums throughout Montana, across the Nation and around the world. At one time, the First Nations Monday network was the largest American Indian / Christian network in North America.
In addition to the work of facilitating unified prayer and networking, Jeny hosted a weekly 15 minute radio broadcast, Across Turtle Island, (KALS 97.1 FM - Kalispell, Montana) for 5 years (2002-2007); distributed American Indian / Christian music through her online music store for 7 years (2003-2010); hosted several Christian / American Indian teaching, prayer and worship gatherings; experienced training as a law enforcement chaplain; and has been attending annual spiritual care symposiums for education and training as a hospital chaplain for the last 8 years. She has volunteered as an on-call spiritual care giver for a local NW Montana hospital for the last 3 years and was recently appointed one of their first official part-time volunteer chaplains.
Jeny has made two international ministry trips, in addition to trips to Canada, which were to Peru in 2004 and to Israel in 2005.
In October 2005, Jeny co-founded All Nations Fellowship, which is an indigenous style (talking circle format) Christian church gathering, in which Jeny serves as Pastor. For the last 3 years, Jeny has participated in weekly prayer meetings and annual community church services with local pastors.
Currently, Jeny Running Brook Covill is the host of the ALL NEW Across Turtle Island radio show on The Big Fish / Big Valley Radio, as well as an account executive. On a more personal note, Jeny also enjoys horseback riding and farming.
Through public speaking, radio broadcasting, writing articles and local ministry, Jeny reflects on her personal stories of overcoming the pain and sorrows of abuse, neglect and abandonment of childhood, as well as the numerous mistakes, defeats and victories that carried over into her adulthood. She also teaches the Native and Non-Native Christian community about the value and validity of culturally relevant expressions of faith.
Ancestry: Native American
Language: English
Albums
Awards, Nominations & Submissions
| 2010 | Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station/Program | Nominee |
