“It is time for our churches to find the young adult leaders who will carry the legacy forward ”
Pastor Cy Fields
Many of our churches have built a true legacy. They are rooted. They have been faithful. They have seen orchards of fruit for the gospel.
But what is happening today?
Can we keep the vitality we’ve lost?
Can we ensure the perpetuity of our impact?
The ECHO Project is for pastors to empower young leaders to energize the church and engage the neighborhood in Jesus’ name.
We created the ECHO Project for pastors to empower the next generation.
HOW IT WORKS
You Are Invited To Start A Two-Year Journey
With Five Churches
Recruit Young Leaders
Convene young leader or team of youth / young adults who will
Eligible young adults are age 17-25, shows energy and maturity for ministry
Apply for $10k Grant
Fill out program application on this website
Five Chicago churches will be eligible in the first year
$10,000 mini-grant awarded across two years
Launch Community Project
Your young leaders will conceive, develop, and advance a community engagement project supported by the grant funds
Involve your church to support the project and engage the neighborhood
Evaluate & Learn
Young adult leaders participate in weekly mentoring and learning sessions with ECHO Program social impact mentors
Church leaders host congregational learning sessions to discuss outcomes, lessons learn, and make strategic plans for future growth
2025 Church Awardees
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Stone Temple Baptist Church
Bp Derrick M. Fitzpatrick
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Harmony Community Church
Rev James L. Brooks
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Memorial Missionary Baptist
Dr. Nathan L. Schaffer, Jr
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Power House Chicago
Abp William Hudson III
FAQs for Pastors & Church Leaders
What is the goal of the ECHO program?
ECHO aims to:
Equip churches to mobilize youth and young adults for leadership.
Encourage congregations to create impactful programs that engage their block and communities.
Invigorate churches who have an aging congregation but desire to pass a ministry legacy to a new generation
What churches are eligible to apply?
Churches led by African American pastors in the Chicagoland area are eligible, with preference to historically black churches in urban neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. Active young adults (17-25 years old) or teams of youth must be recruited as next generation leaders.
Five churches will be selected for the first cohort (2025), with intentions to create new cohorts each year.
What are examples of community impact projects?
Projects should aim to address a specific community needs, such as mentorship, education, child development, public health, or social justice. They should be led by a young adult leader or team.
Examples could include:
Organizing after-school programs or tutoring for local youth.
Hosting community health fairs or wellness initiatives.
Developing justice campaigns addressing local issues like housing or food insecurity.
Creating arts, music, or sports programs that engage both church and community members.
Launching community-centered workshops or support groups
Innovative proposals are welcome, and the steering community is eager to help develop and coach ideas.
What is the grant money involved?
Local congregations are awarded a total of $10,000 across two years.
The “mini-grant” funds are to develop and launch a community impact project led by young adults
Grant funds cannot be used for unrelated church expenses.
What is required from participating churches?
Recruit / form a team of youth / young adults to lead the initiative.
Send young adult leaders to community practice cohort meetings for collaboration with other churches and and mentorship from steering committee members
Participate and /or host congregational learning listening sessions to share insights and strategize improvements.
Submit reports evaluating the program’s impact, with the assistance of the project steering committee
