A Community of Volunteer
Staff and Leadership
ECHO Student Ministries operates out of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Memphis, TN. Built on a community of volunteer staff and leadership, we started with a few kids who were trying to navigate through COVID and have developed into a small ministry guiding our youngest members through life. Supported completely by volunteers, we spend a lot of time planning, teaching, fundraising, and making life just a little more fun with a foundation in our Christian beliefs.
Something for Everyone
We plan service projects, special events, and fundraisers all year. Below is a list of some of the annual events and activities that we pride with tradition and encourage all of our kids to bring their friends on our adventures.
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Perched atop Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, AR, Camp Trinity invites our Junior High for a Fall Retreat and Senior High for a Spring Retreat. Participants enjoy a weekend filled with impactful service work, spiritual growth through Scripture, and outdoor exploration amid stunning trails and sunsets. Discover additional details at www.lutherancamp.org
Lent & Advent Taco Wednesdays
Every year for Lent and Advent, we serve a community meal on Wednesdays before our midweek service. The kids help prep, cook, serve and clean for the event. Donations are welcomed, but not required and we LOVE tacos!
Join our hosts and their house off of Halloween Cove in Bartlett for a Taco Bar and lots of fun as we walk around the Rockyford neighborhood enjoying the holiday decorations, spooky characters, and lots of people.
Annual Halloween Party
Annual New Year's Eve Lock In
Complete with a toast, a balloon drop, and the infamous countdown, this event is one of our most popular events. We bake cookies, have a nerf gun war, watch movies, play video games, and start the year off with a reminder of what our job is as a teen, as a friend, and as a Christian. It's a safe place that is fully locked down and free from peer pressures.
The Heart of Our Program
We operate 100% off volunteers. We love kids and give them a network of people that they can rely on for anything that life throws at them.
Mitch Wood
Leader and Musician
Mitch grew up in Arkansas. He moved to Tennessee and married his wife Esther. They have 3 daughters, their youngest is a member of ECHO Student Ministries. He loves to play music with his band, cheers for the Memphis Tigers and the Miami Dolphins, and spends his free time building things. He also tests the limits of hot sauces by challenging some of the kids.
Emily Winter
Events, Activities, and Administration
Emily grew up in Minnesota. She moved to Tennessee after marrying her husband, Jeremy. They have 2 sons. One is a member of ECHO and one is not old enough to join ECHO just yet, but he can't wait after seeing all of the fun his brother gets to have. She is a huge sports fan and loves cheering for all of her home teams and loves spending time traveling.
ECHO Ministry Support
Parent Volunteers
We love when our parents join our volunteer efforts. We look forward to having them cook our meals, join us for lessons, and go on adventures. It builds a trust network that allows the kids to feel confident when we provide them a safe space and who they can ask the tough questions without anxiety.