ECO: A COVENANT ORDER OF EVANGELICAL
IMPACT
REPORT
From Vision To Reality
DEAR ECO,
As ECO began, our desire was not simply to create another denomination, but to truly be a movement that recaptures the best of our Presbyterian and Reformed heritage to saturate our broken and hurting world with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. We are committed to reaching a new apex in our next decade of ministry by envisioning 1,000 planted, revitalized, and flourishing ECO congregations and micro-expressions by 2030. To make this passion a reality, we must aggressively recruit, train, re-train, and deploy 1,000 vocational leaders and 10,000 highly invested lay leaders.
In doing so, we see hundreds of thousands of movement-equipped people emerging for daily gospel influence. Like a child who blows a dandelion into the wind, the Spirit scatters us into our communities to plant the gospel. Imagine worldwide, millions of people linked to the surprising goodness of God, loved through tangible acts of kindness, lifted by the compelling good news of Jesus, and lavishly adopted into a new and better kind of family.
At the core of our vision is the development of both lay and vocational leaders who will enthusiastically be able to strengthen existing churches as well as start new congregations and micro-expressions of church These flourishing churches and micro-expressions will develop mature disciples who can carry the gospel into their local communities and throughout the world
I mentioned in my report at the 2024 Synod Business Meeting that during the first half of our vision timeline we have seen the Lord do some remarkable things in and through our movement We have also had some setbacks and challenges (even beyond the pandemic!) and have needed to make some adjustments to our approach and strategies to accomplish our vision
This Impact Report highlights what we want to celebrate from the last five years as well as sets the trajectory for the rest of the decade. We believe we can become the movement of flourishing congregations that we envisioned from our inception We’d love for you to prayerfully join us on the journey Soli Deo Gloria!
Dana Allin ECO Synod Executive
Church Planting
The Changing Landscape of Church Planting: A Growing Movement within ECO
We are seeking to be a church planting denomination at a time when the landscape of church planting is changing drastically. Yet, we have never been more excited about the possibilities! Over the past five years, we have seen an uptick in people interested in planting with ECO. As of the writing of this report, we have over 150 pre-screened and vetted planters in various stages of our planting process, as well as 24 active church plants. Pray that God would raise up new leaders throughout our country with a heart for church planting. Keep our church planting staff, current plants, and current planters in prayer as well.
We'd love for you to consider how you might be able to invest in ECO’s church planting movement. Our plants consist of various models, which means varying financial needs. Some start with financial backing (assuming they hit appropriate benchmarks), others have bi-vocational pastors, and others have to raise 100 percent of their finances There are many ways to invest in church plants and leaders and we hope you will prayerfully support our planting efforts! If you or your congregation feel called to plant a church, please reach out - we would love to hear more about you and your vision for ministry!
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Assessed Conducted
40
Intake Interviews
These pre-screened planters are in agreement with ECO’s Essential Tenets and are moving toward assessment and development
Church Planters 11
These assessed planters are currently working on the development of church plant plans and are seeking to raise support for their church plants
Launched
Church Plants 6
To ensure their success and growth, launched church plants are supported by ECO through coaching, financial backing, and community outreach strategies
In 2024, we have been able to give over $100,000 in grants to ECO-qualifying church plants.
Prayers and Support
We would be deeply grateful for your prayers that God would raise up new leaders, sustain our church planting staff, and empower current planters to bring lasting impact to their communities for Jesus Christ.
Kobus Genis
Pastor and Church Planter - GPS Church in Navarre, FL
Being under the guidance of my church planter coach was transformative in my journey of planting a church. My coach’s wisdom, encouragement, and insights were instrumental in navigating challenges and fostering growth. His support not only strengthened my leadership skills but also deepened my spiritual foundation, shaping the vision and impact of our church community My coach’s invaluable mentorship left an indelible mark on both my personal and ministerial growth I thank ECO and the church planting team for their leadership in appointing coaches
Jackie Parks
Pastor and Church Planter - South Scottsdale Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, AZ
South Scottsdale Presbyterian Church is a small, diverse community that serves the poor and disadvantaged. While we have done a lot to engage missionally in our community, the ECO Church Planting Accelerator Grant allowed us to build a foundation for discipleship with our kids and youth. With the grant, we were able to hire and train Tiffany for family ministry. She was able to implement initiatives, complete the CLP process, and help launch a youth group with a volunteer leader.
Because of the grant, we have exceeded all of our stated goals As of July 2024, we have added some kids to our kids ministry, established new discipleship rhythms to our family ministry, established a youth group with 10-15 youth, have begun the process of sending out a church planter, and are mentoring three Flourish Institute of Theology students We are grateful to ECO for the part they played in making this possible!
Caleb Shocklie
Pastor and Church Planter - The Spring Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
Coaching has been invaluable to me Working in a post-Christian context with limited Christian community, coaching has given me a space to think clearly and address the many challenges we are facing Coaching has helped me to improve in different areas of my life and ministry, resulting in healthier rhythms to sustain me in ministry for the long term.
Partner With Us Partner
To facilitate the growth of our church planting efforts, we seek $50,000 per church plant in both grants and in-kind support to empower new congregations and strengthen their impact. We would love for you to join us in supporting the growth of the ECO church planting movement!
Leadership Development
We are committed to investing in and raising up faithful, committed ordained pastors and lay leaders to help your church flourish!
ECO's ordination process has been flourishing beyond our capacity! We are excited to watch many leaders throughout our denomination take their flourishing next step in their own leadership development and further into pastoral ministry. Currently, we have 118 ordination candidates plus another 68 inquiries and applicants in the pipeline. We are so grateful to have many pastors and elders in ECO who have served as Presbytery Ordination Mentors, exam graders, interview panelists, assessors, and Spiritual Formation Group Leaders We could not run this process without them!
Our latest round of retreat intensives hosted 23 candidates for Retreat Intensive #1 and 12 candidates for Retreat Intensive #2 This past year 21 candidates have been ordained Since the start of our new ordination process that launched in the fall of 2020, 71 candidates have been ordained These candidates have been serving in various contexts, from their local church to pastoral counseling, to overseas missions
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
38
NEW Candidates
These candidates have been approved through intake interviews with ECO Ordination Advisors and Presbytery Mentors and have officially entered the ordination process.
# of Candidates Age Groups
Prayers and Support
Please join us in prayer for our ordination candidates and emerging leaders, that they may be equipped with wisdom, resilience, and a hearts for ministry as they prepare to serve communities in need of the gospel.
Eunsung Lim
Binnerri Presbyterian Church, Richardson, TX
I did not focus on my own spiritual health before the ECO ordination process, but now I can hear and check myself when having a problem in the field of ministry.
Tina Gilbreath
Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, AZ
Psalm 63:1 says 'I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water ' The psalmist captures the place I was as I began the Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) training in May of 2023 I was restless, seeking God's wisdom and direction for the next season of my life and ministry I was surprised and blessed by the strength of the community and the guidance of the CLP cohort leader The prayers of the group buoyed me and the discussions challenged me As we worked through the modules, it felt like a trickle of fresh life that grew into a flowing river of rejuvenation and flourishing in my spirit. The variety of lecturers in the videos was impressive, and highlighted the quality of leaders connected to ECO. The way the training echoed ECO's mission, vision, and values, was encouraging to me as a covenant partner of a church new to ECO. I have now moved from the CLP2 program to the Masters in Theology at Flourish Institute of Theology!
Samuel Mock
College Hill Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, OH
I enjoyed the ordination process. It came with its trials, but I genuinely believe that it made me a better pastor. Much of my preparation leading up to ordination focused on skills, gifting, and how to minister to others. Entering the ordination process, I had a good rhythm of allowing my soul to be ministered to by God but had no idea how much more God had in store for shaping me I can say the focus on having healthy pastors is such a gift I’ve seen my relationship with God grow in new and profound ways that are a blessing to my life, family, and congregation. Two practices that came from the ordination process and its influences were observing the Sabbath and praying the Daily Office. As I continue to learn to be with God and rest in his love, I’m finding a greater sense of identity as a son of God, and it’s leading to a deeper intimacy and abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10.
Partner With Us
Partner
ECO invests $7,000 per ordination candidate, with half of that support coming from dues and individual gifts. We are seeking additional support to bridge the remaining gap. We would love for you to help equip and uplift future church leaders through your financial partnership!
Flourish Institute of Theology
With the Fall 2024 term, FIT began its third year of training the next generation of ministry leaders! We started FIT because we wanted to raise up, train, and release in the church and culture different kinds of leaders - ones who are deeply trained in theology and Scripture and demonstrate ministry skills with vital and growing relationships with Jesus We desire to train and release women and men into ministry who understand that the church belongs to Jesus and that he is present and active in its midst, building it according to his purpose and plan FIT leaders possess the highest levels of academic training, greatest depths of spiritual wisdom and maturity, and an uncommon depth of faith Another unique characteristic of FIT is the fact that the cost of a course and degree is less than one third of that of traditional seminaries The cost is made possible by the fact that our overhead is extremely low we have no buildings or grounds to maintain, few salaries, and no sports teams But we do have expenses! Our budget requires just about $1,000 a day Seminaries typically cover only about 25% of their operating expenses through tuition, making the support of churches, presbyteries, and individuals essential to keeping our costs affordable Your support is deeply appreciated!
ENROLLMENT IS GROWING!
FIT entered this past Fall 2024 trimester with 55 students compared to our first trimester (Fall 2022) with 23 students - thats a 140% increase!
Please pray for the Flourish Institute of
secker, LLP (Lay Leader Program)
Charlotte Bosecker, LLP (Lay Leader Program)
ch, Midland, TX
First Presbyterian Church, Midland, TX
of years, I have grown in my love for our triune God and have a deeper sense of His love part of that growth to the professors who, guided by the Holy Spirit, opened up the truth of feel that, at last, my heart and my head are of one accord, having the knowledge of God's people, for me There is nothing he will not do to catch our attention so he can lavish his love upon us, for he knew us before we were conceived, even before we took our first breath As I look to the Lord, his strength, and seek his presence, I am confident that he will give me what I need to follow him wherever he leads
Over the last couple of years, I have grown in my love for our triune God and have a deeper sense of His love for me I owe a big part of that growth to the professors who, guided by the Holy Spirit, opened up the truth of God's Word to me I feel that, at last, my heart and my head are of one accord, having the knowledge of God's reckless love for his people, for me There is nothing he will not do to catch our attention so he can lavish his love upon us, for he knew us before we were conceived, even before we took our first breath As I look to the Lord, his strength, and seek his presence, I am confident that he will give me what I need to follow him wherever he leads.
Josh Avila (MDiv candidate)
Crossbridge Miami Springs, Miami Springs, FL
The Flourish Institute is the 'medical school' of seminaries - developing not only competent theologians, but confident practitioners. In a word, my experience at FIT has been transformative - leading me to a proper balance of sound doctrine and spirit-filled devotion. FIT is not only a world-class academic institution, it is a holistic discipleship intensive for the next generation of Christian leaders I cannot recommend it enough!
Alan Poling, MA
First Presbyterian Church Kingwood, Houston, TX
One of the beliefs that FIT has reinforced...the rewards I seek are not of this world.
Partner
As our enrollment at the Flourish Institute of Theology continues to rise, we are seeking an additional $250,000 to enhance our resources and support our students during this critical startup phase. We would love for you to be a part of this mission by supporting the formation of well-equipped leaders who will serve communities with a deep understanding of God’s word and compassion.
Learn More and Get Involved
Invite others or take the next step yourself! Explore how you can engage to support your own flourishing or the flourishing of others.
Get Involved: Help establish new communities of faith by providing resources, mentorship, or referrals to potential planters Your support helps churches grow in their missional impact
Contextual and Creative Approach to Church Planting
ECO celebrates innovative, personalized strategies tailored to each planter’s vision and context, avoiding one-size-fits-all models.
Church Planting Leadership Development
A Personalized Approach to Ordination
The ordination process considers each candidate’s unique gifts, calling, and context, fostering a path that aligns with their goals
Comprehensive Support from Assessment to Sustainability
ECO provides coaching, tailored resources, and ongoing support to help church planters thrive in ministry.
Learn More: Scan the QR code or visit eco-pres.org/churchplanting For Questions: churchplanting@eco-pres.org
Get Involved: Help identify emerging leaders who may be a great fit for the ordination process Connect them with the tools, coaching, and resources they need to guide with confidence and clarity.
Comprehensive Tools and Coaching for Success
ECO offers training, mentorship, and resources to support leaders’ growth and effectiveness at every stage of their journey
A Commitment to GospelCentered Leadership
ECO’s leadership development is rooted in Scripture, aiming to cultivate leaders who engage today’s challenges
Learn More: Scan the QR code or visit eco-pres org/ordination For Questions: ordination@eco-pres.org
Get Involved: If you or someone you know could benefit from theological training tailored for real-life ministry, connect them with the Flourish Institute of Theology
We seek to work with you in your current ministry, linking what you learn in class to the ministry you are doing.
Our professors work to integrate academic knowledge and the practice of real ministry.
A portion of required credits are earned through structured mentored training in real ministry settings.
We are able to do this at roughly a third of the cost of traditional seminary programs.
Learn More: Scan the QR code or visit flourishinstitute.online For Questions: info@flourishinstitute.online
Rev. Luke Parker Director of Church Planting
Rev. Lisa Johnson Executive Director of Leadership Formation
Rev, Dr Mark Patterson President
Partner with Us to Strengthen the Future of the Church
Together, we can make an eternal impact.
Where Your Support is Needed
Church Planting
To empower and grow new congregations, we are seeking $50,000 in grants and in-kind support to launch and strengthen church plants.
Flourish Institute of Theology Leadership Development
To invest in the next generation of leaders, we are seeking support for the $7,000 cost per ordination candidate, to ensure robust training and mentorship.
To equip pastors and leaders with theological education, we are seeking $250,000 to enhance resources and grow this vital program.
If you or your congregation feel called to support the important work of church planting, leadership development, or the Flourish Institute of Theology (FIT), or if you are led to give in general to ECO, we invite you to explore the giving options on the back cover.
Thank you! Thank
you!
Every gift—whether one-time or recurring—helps us equip leaders, plant churches, and expand theological education. Your support strengthens the mission of ECO and the future of the church. Thank you for partnering with us in this vital work.
