ECS Equip

The ECS community is excited to welcome our new varsity head football coach Ben Johnson. Coach Johnson joins the podcast to share why coaching at a place with such a rich football tradition is a special opportunity for him and his family. He also discusses how football shaped him and how he desires to go beyond X's and O's to use sports as a tool for ministry.

Class of 2013's Brent Rooker has some special titles: two-time MLB All-Star, MLB Silver Slugger Award, National and SEC Baseball Player of the Year (2017), etc. However, Christ-follower, husband and father are titles he cherishes the most. In this episode, he recaps what he shared with students in chapel about being a gospel-driven man and how that guides him in leading his family well. He also sh...

Executive Director of Streets Ministries Eric Ballentine was a special guest on campus recently to share with students how Jesus changed him from living a life of recklessness to pursuing a life of righteousness. He also shared how Streets Ministries demonstrates love to underserved youth throughout Memphis and how ECS students can empower their mission during our SOAR Day of Service, February 4,...

Vallie Collins was one of 155 passengers on U.S. Airways flight 1549, which made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009. Everyone survived. In addition to our podcast, Collins recently spoke to ECS students and women in our community about what God has revealed to her about how to live following the event that brought her so close to death.

ECS cross country runners join the Equip Podcast for a victory lap celebrating their recent boys and girls region championship triumphs this fall season. Seniors Chase Ellingsworth and Griggs Robinson, 8th grader Anderson Cummins (individual Girls Region Champion), and coach David Boyd share what made this team so special.

As we celebrate 60 years in 2025 we have highlighted people in our community who are the essence of ECS. Paul and Nicole Vander Zwaag are some of those people. Paul as an alumnus (class of 1988), and both as teachers and parents of two alumni, hear about their special journey and how God has used and blessed them.

Two developers with a heart for revitalizing Memphis, especially downtown, recently spoke to ECS seniors to share about their careers. Current ECS dad and class of 1995 alumnus Stuart Harris and Downtown Memphis Commission's Coleman Armes also made time for the Equip podcast to discuss how our city's youth and future leaders can start playing a role in reimagining Memphis.

ECS senior kindergarten teacher assistant Rachel Powell shares what inspired her to create a coloring book that helps children understand the Good News of Jesus, from Creation to Christ's return!  Celebrate Rachel's work by ordering some copies today at this link - https://tinyurl.com/2xvf38dr

ECS senior Bible teacher and Director of Curriculum Alignment and Worldview John Grant joins the podcast to discuss his new book, The Ideal King: Jesus in Light of the Mosaic Ideal. Pick up a copy today on Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/r8jbpx62

ECS Senior Addison Abney, class of 2026, has started a movement aimed at encouraging her peers through small acts and messages of kindness. She also shares with us how she has embraced student leadership roles that have allowed her to serve ECS and her community.  See what Addison is up to by visiting these links -  https://www.dripco.org/ & https://tinyurl.com/hvpsdkrv

First Evangelical Church Senior Pastor Pace McKee visited our student chapel recently to inspire students to seek biblical wisdom. Drawing on his former experience as a youth pastor, he explores how today's culture challenges young people in discerning moral good.

Head of School Scott Hauss joins the podcast for the first time this school year to provide insight and updates on what has been new in 2025-2026. He shares how students are responding to being cell-phone free during the school day. He also highlights how he hopes our theme for the year, SERVE, will inspire students to love our neighbors and seek his kingdom.

We welcome ECS alumna Katie Short Saunders, class of 2008, to share about her mission work with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) in Tokyo, Japan. Katie and her husband are a part of RUF, providing gospel-centered campus ministry to one of the largest unreached people groups in the world.

Former ECS headmaster/president Mickey Bowdon (1975-1992) joins the podcast to share how he witnessed God move in mighty ways to sustain ECS in our early years. In addition to the history lesson, he also provides insight on the origins of Christian education and why it's more important than ever, right now.

We welcome new instrumental music teacher Conner Byrd to ECS as he joins the podcast to discuss exciting opportunities for students in our music program. Conner shares about the active roles students now have in our weekly chapel worship gatherings, as well as launching the drumline to elevate school events.

As ECS students go cell phone free this school year we welcome back Ben Tracy, who goes across the country advocating for online safety for children. He shares some troubling trends teens and adolescents are experiencing while using smart devices and social media. He offers approaches parents and educators can use to shepherd students through the potential hazards.

ECS Visual Arts dept. chair and art teacher David Butler shares about his creative process in capturing the concept of this year's theme through art. Find out the special symbols and tributes on display as we celebrate  our theme for 2025-2026: Serve

Fresh off their state title triumph, Coach MeriTaylor Pickle, junior Kate Spiegelman, and freshman Casey Vargo join the podcast. They share about the team's transformation, establishing the Eagles as the best team in their division. The achievement puts ECS in the record books as the first girls lacrosse team to claim a TSSAA DII-A championship.

As long-time art and yearbook teacher Lisa Field anticipates retirement, she walks us through the special people and memories who shaped her journey as a student (class of 1978), parent of graduates and faculty member. We cherished this time with her to hear great stories and wish her well in whatever God is preparing for her to do next.

Author and educator Dr. T. Durant Fleming knows well the obstacle dyslexia is to children. As he has overcome dyslexia he has made it his mission to equip teachers and parents with awareness and tools to help them come alongside students who may be struggling with this disorder affecting their ability to spell, write and read. He recently visited with our faculty to discuss innovative approaches t...

High School and Middle School Choir Director Emily Hale joins juniors Niya Johnson, Brokke Scott, and Melody Loftis and sophomore Ellie Jones to share about the special connection they have performing with the ECS Concert Choir and our a cappella group, Flight. https://www.ecseagles.com/support-ecs/ecs-annual-fund  

Our tradition unlike any other - we sit down with the top scholars from the year's graduating class. Class of 2025 valedictorian Campbell Pallera, Salutatorian Sam Scull, and Meredith Porter join the podcast to share about what drives them to excel academically and what made their experiences at ECS so special.

Students and Discipleship Group leaders join host Brandon Artiles to relive and recap ECS' inaugural student service day: S.O.A.R. (Serving Others. Advancing Responsibility). They share how they served with various ministry and community partners. They also discuss how they recognized ways we can continue to love our neighbors well and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Thank you to My Town Miracles...

Nationally known speaker Ben Tracy has taken his personal experience of a costly mistake on social media to educate youth on ways to protect themselves online and how to use smart phones responsibly. Tracy also shares how kids are specifically being targeted online by bullies, drug dealers, and child predators on Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.

Regular season games for ECS spring sports started up this week including our up-and-coming girls lacrosse team. We welcome new head coach MeriTaylor Pickle to ECS and the podcast to see how she is getting her squad physically and mentally prepared to compete.