John-Mark Echols '07

John-Mark was born in 1989 in Midland, Texas, to John and Heather Echols. After graduating Trinity he attended The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa majoring in Business Management with a concentration in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He graduated Cum Laude in 2011. John-Mark began his career in 2011 at Basic Energy Services. During his time as a consultant, John-Mark felt the Lord calling him to full-time homeless ministry. It started with Church Under the Bridge, a local street church in Midland. In May of 2016, John-Mark attended a three-day symposium at Community First Village in Austin, Texas. Upon returning home, John-Mark participated in a twenty-four hour poverty simulation. After months of prayer and undeniable confirmation from God, the Echols sold their house, left their careers, and moved into an RV with their daughter to immerse themselves in a community of formerly homeless men and women. It was during this time that they were equipped with a great deal of wisdom to replicate the Community First model in Midland. While pursuing the vision of The Fields’ Edge on a full time basis, John-Mark is also the Director of Breaking Bread Mobile, a breakfast food truck ministry of Breaking Bread Soup Kitchen. He goes out early in the morning five days a week to feed the hungry of Midland. The rest of his day is spent planning and preparing to build a 20+ acre tiny house community for the homeless. John-Mark continues to be involved with Trinity School attending alumni gatherings, speaking at Career Day, serving as a Chili Fest judge, and, most recently, talking about philanthropy and getting current students involved with Field’s Edge and the homeless community.