Kirk and Jan Gulledge believe in keeping their eyes open to the needs God shows them.

By: Makenzi Johnson

The stories are what have kept Kirk and Jan Gulledge connected to ECHO for decades.

“I love reading about how lives are being changed,” Jan said.

The Gulledges found ECHO after doing short-term missionary work overseas in the 1980s. Kirk wanted to know more about agriculture in Central America, so he did some research and stumbled upon ECHO. He wrote inquiry letters to ECHO staff to learn more about what they did. This was just the beginning of his passion and interest.

Kirk and Jan first visited ECHO’s Global Demonstration and Research Farm in 1996 after they moved to Florida. The farm was small back then, but they were very impressed by the tour. Right away, they wanted to know more and get involved.

“We became interested more and more about what ECHO was doing globally,” said Kirk.

The Gulledges had no agricultural experience, but Kirk explains, “We could see the potential impact that ECHO could make and that made a lot of difference to us.”

Kirk got an even deeper look into the work ECHO was doing by serving on the Board of Directors for ten years, beginning in 1999. He saw examples of how techniques taught by ECHO, like seed saving or various agricultural methods, change the lives of farming families.

Jan is just as passionate about the mission and heart of ECHO’s work. Her face lights up and you can hear the excitement in her voice when she talks about ECHO.

“It’s all about that old saying, give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime. We feel like ECHO is doing that in a very good way,” Jan said.

People taught by ECHO share what they learn with others, spreading new information, techniques, or methods. The lives of small-scale farmers all over the world are positively impacted by this chain reaction that starts with ECHO. The Gulledges saw this and wanted to support the multiplying impact.

“We like the idea that we can make a difference by supporting an organization that is training people and spreading that information,” Jan said.

The Gulledges carefully consider how they can maximize their contribution. With a background in business, Kirk recognizes the value of faithful, sustaining support so they decided to become monthly donors. They also say that giving to ECHO helps them stay focused on what matters as followers of Christ.

“This keeps us aware that the rest of the world really is in a different situation than we are. This helps us to keep focusing on what is important,” Kirk said.

After years of supporting ECHO’s mission, the Gulledges decided to establish a charitable gift annuity with ECHO. This type of gift provides the Gulledges with a fixed-rate payout during their lifetime. After their passing, the remaining balance will help ECHO to continue providing lasting hunger solutions.

“We wanted some additional income, but at the same time, wanted to benefit ECHO,” Jan said.

The Gulledges have continued to keep their eyes and hearts open to how God is leading them to multiply their impact.

Reading through a newsletter last winter, they saw that ECHO Asia was hoping to convert a covered parking area into a multi-purpose training space and needed to install additional restroom facilities for staff and guests.

“The potential of converting an existing space for dual use really caught our eye,” Kirk said. “We wanted to help make that possible for trainings at ECHO Asia.”

In June, ECHO Asia held its first training in the new space, hosting a team that serves vulnerable children and underdeveloped communities for a one-day ‘On-Farm Feeds Training Workshop’. The staff sent pictures and described how even with a monsoonal downpour that day, the team was able to lecture with powerpoint presentations and make on-farm pig and chicken feeds all in the space — without getting wet!

That’s a pretty remarkable story — one that started with the Gulledge’s watchful and thoughtful eyes toward how they can continue the ECHO effect.