Issue 15 Stories

From the President/CEO

Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., President/CEO
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Dear friends, colleagues, and champions of ECHO:

Over the following pages, you’ll read words like “adapt,” “experience,” “abundance,” and “self-sufficiency.” These words inspire me and remind me of the new vision, mission, and motivation statements that were ratified by our volunteer Board of Directors just a few months ago.

Our Vision: A transformed world honoring God

Our Mission: Strengthening the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies

Our Motivation: As Jesus first loved us, as agents of restoration, we seek to glorify God and love our neighbors.

It’s an exciting time at our Centers around the world! As we launch the new Five-year Strategic Framework each Impact Center will live into the context and needs of their region. And, these four dynamic teams are leading the way for our fully-funded next Impact Team serving South Asia and the Central America & Caribbean Impact Center currently needing funding and planned for 2026.

Through it all, your generosity and support is what makes each story in ECHO News possible! You are paving inroads for biogas production in rural Africa and adapting to accidental buffalo watering holes in Laos. You are inspiring young people to serve God passionately at ECHO North America and you are defeating hunger and improving lives worldwide.

So, enjoy these pages, and may the stories and themes spur you on to serve!

For Christ and His Kingdom,

Abram J. Bicksler

P.S. As you are inspired, please consider a gift to ECHO this spring that will inspire the next story, reach the next family, and make a life-changing difference for generations!

Next Story

A Different Kind of ‘Fun in the Sun’

For the past 30 years, John Hanson has brought groups of Indiana students to ECHO’s Florida campus to volunteer mid-summer.
Feature

Moving Toward Energy Self-Sufficiency

Biogas model paves the way to energy self-sufficiency. Tubular digester trainings plant the seed for rural East African areas to be more financially successful and energy self-sufficient.

From the President/CEO

It’s an exciting time at our Centers around the world! As we launch the new Five-year Strategic Framework each Impact Center will live into the context and needs of their region.

A Different Kind of ‘Fun in the Sun’

For the past 30 years, John Hanson has brought groups of Indiana students to ECHO’s Florida campus to volunteer mid-summer.
Feature

Cultivating an Abundance

From the Global Farm to the fields of Immokalee, ECHO’s partnership with local organization “Cultivate Abundance” has produced an overflow of fresh fruits and vegetables to feed those in need and fulfill those who serve them.

When the Buffalo Come, You Adapt

A farm in Southeast Asia lost its source of clean water and was able to implement ECHO’s four-barrel water filtration system made by hand.

Symposium Shared Lessons, Technologies, and Experience

At ECHO East Africa’s recent symposium on appropriate technologies and renewable energy, presentations by innovators proposed solutions to several regional challenges.

Field Experience: Blessings and Lessons Learned

When their time in Fort Myers, Florida came to an end, John Yann and Chrissy Mahoney brought their newly acquired knowledge and techniques to Chiang Mai, Thailand where they immersed themselves in a rich culture of people and agriculture for six months.
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First South Sudan Symposium

A dream ten years in the making came true this February. 85 network members serving war-torn South Sudan came together to learn, share, and change lives.