Wings of Eagles

Among the congregations participating in our inaugural Durham/ Chapel Hill Community Craft Collaborative cohort, upon graduation, Wings of Eagles joined the Ormond Center’s Pathways Toward Impact process to pilot test their CCC idea, the Global Economic Empowerment Engine (GE3). After six weeks of training students and a few adults, on April 27, 2024, the congregation held its GE3 Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest closing event. Linda and Bob Coley represented TOC as judges. All the projects were viable, and several have moved forward to launching.

Wings of Eagles Christian Church has launched a youth entrepreneurship initiative called the Global Economic Empowerment Engine (GE3). The six-week entrepreneurial mindset training, delivered by the church staff and community leaders, included lessons and training on gift assessments, mental wellness, social media presence, business 101, finance, budgeting, and more. Each session focuses on fundamental principles crucial for establishing and sustaining entrepreneurship, supplemented by mentorship to aid in understanding business components and functions.

GE3 was introduced as a hybrid program consisting of six sessions. These sessions were conducted both in person on Saturdays and virtually on Thursdays. At the program's culmination, participants from the inaugural cohort were given the opportunity to pitch their business ideas for a financial investment. They showcased a diverse range of ventures, including homemade soap production, community centers, and party supply and character rentals, aiming to secure funding to kickstart or expand their endeavors.

Six participants successfully graduated from the program, with five presenting their business pitches. Awards were granted for first, second, and third place, with the top prize for Sameli, a company specializing in handmade soap production. GE3 plans to host additional sessions throughout the year, fostering continued growth and development among aspiring entrepreneurs. For more details about GE3, visit www.GE3Durham.com. For more information about Wings of Eagles Christian Church, visit www.woechristianchurch.com.