Dear Friends,

As it mentions in Micah, I am humbled and honored to step into this role. My goal is to exemplify servant leadership to our staff, interns, volunteers, and our amazingly diverse network members around the world. Keeping the mission and vision in front of us, I will work to empower everyone in the organization to use their skills, talents, education, and gifts together as the Body of Christ to bring improved food security and livelihoods to the undernourished as well as healing to God’s creation.

No stranger to ECHO, I have been blessed to know David and Jennifer Erickson for many years. David leaves incredibly large shoes to fill, but has also left a strong foundation that he has poured into since becoming CEO in 2015. I look forward to seeing how God continues to develop our friendship — and David and Jennifer’s service to ECHO in the coming years.

In this issue of ECHO News, we celebrate David and his tenure as CEO, see snapshots of ECHO’s global work, learn how simple technologies can help preserve seeds and crops, and hear from one of our interns about her experience at ECHO Asia.

At the time this issue went to press, we have just experienced Hurricane Ian. We are grateful to God for keeping us safe and protecting the campus from major damage as we continue our cleanup operation. It will be a long road ahead, but know that we are trying to get back up and running as soon as possible to deliver the services that our partners need and deserve.

Thank you for journeying with us in this work prayerfully, financially, and in your thoughts as we rebuild. You are the reason that we can continue to reduce hunger and improve lives worldwide through partnerships that equip people with agricultural resources and skills.

With humility, thank you!

Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D.