Eikon Ministries: Shaping Memphis leaders, one child at a time
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every Tuesday, as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission series, we highlight organizations making Memphis better. This week, we caught up with a group that believes in building leaders from the inside out.
Willie Baldwin met Roy Campbell, who goes by the nickname 'Soup', when he was only 10 years old. Willie was outside playing basketball, Soup was just starting Eikon Ministries.
'If this man hadn't saw the potential for me in my life enough to take me under his wing and to mentor disciple to my life, I wouldn't be here,' said Baldwin.
Recycling ehances economic opportunities with on-the-job training program
'I pulled up on that tree, and I had Jesus paint across the tailgate. And when they looked like they were really hot and thirsty, I called them over to my truck and I said, 'Hey, would you like some donuts and some juice?' They said, 'Yes,' and I said, 'Well, can I share the most important thing that ever happened in my life?' And they allowed me to share that,' said Soup.
Fast forward 36 years — Willie is still with Soup as his assistant director of Eikon Ministries. Eikon Ministries has grown into an organization that builds leaders who will change their communities from the inside out.
'I began to see a void in the training of the next generation of leaders. And I said, 'We've got to do something about that,'' Soup said.
Strategically located in Binghampton, Soup has done just that with numerous programs that serve boys and girls ages 4-18.
Willie created 'Club Nathan' as part of the Nathan Street Ministries.
'It's a safe haven for kids to come and hear the gospel, different relationships are being developed. We feed them,' said Baldwin.
Team Eikon is a basketball team that uses the game to mentor, share the gospel, and encourage good grades.
They also offer a summer job program, which is a way for students to earn and learn.
'We hire about 30 kids every summer here in the neighborhood. We paid them $225. We teach them life skills, cutting grass, going into the community, cutting debris down from people's backyards. We teach entrepreneurship, interview etiquette, checking and savings accounts,' said Baldwin.
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Marcus Mcree's son and daughter grew up attending Eikon Ministries. He was so impressed with the organization, he ended up becoming the assistant coach of Team Eikon.
'When kids are with other kids, they learn faster when you start talking about things that they see. So if you have one kid, man is cool to come to our Eikon Ministries and do the things we do, all the kids want to join,' said Mcree.
That is why Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to Eikon/Nathan Street Ministries. Because when all the kids want to join, you are building a stronger community from the inside.
Eikon Ministries is currently in need of a reliable suburban or a similar SUV to transport kids to their programs. If you can help them out or would like to learn more about the group, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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