Our vision at ECS is to provide students with the foundation necessary to become people whose lives reflect a commitment to Christ, who are strong in character and who pursue excellence in all they do. Graduates of ECS will have developed a strong relationship with Jesus, be intellectually prepared for higher academic learning and demonstrate godly character in their daily lives.

The Spiritual Heritage of ECS

From its establishment in 1948, the story of ECS is a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Time and time again God has led, provided, and intervened in the affairs of the school.

Dr. Evelyn Thompson began ECS after a very clear leading from God to create an environment that would train up the emerging generations in this community with academic excellence, along with an openness to the work of God’s Spirit.  These elements led to a successful combination. Within five years, ECS and the church congregation had outgrown the small facility (a building on 6th Avenue). While driving one day through the open fields on East Valley Parkway, God spoke to her to stop, get out of her car, and pray.  In her own words she tells what happened at that moment, “As I got out of my car, I saw a huge field in front of me.  I felt led to walk out into it, and as I did the Lord spoke to me, ‘Evelyn, I’m giving you this land.’ I raised my hands and began to weep.  I was thanking and praising God, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder.  ‘Hey lady, are you okay?’ Surprised, I turned around to see a man looking at me.  ‘Oh yes, I am okay.  I’m just overwhelmed right now because God told me that he was giving our church and school this land.’ The man scratched his head and looked at the ground, then said, ‘Really? Well this land belongs to me.’”

What happened next can hardly be comprehended. The man who came out in that field to check on the damsel in distress on his property, was one of the wealthiest dairymen in California, Ed Bulen.  Mr.  Bulen later said something that day softened his heart and gave him the desire to help Dr. Thompson. Not only did he donate the property to the church, but also amassed work crews that helped construct a new larger facility, giving a new home to the burgeoning ministry. At the grand opening of the new church/school facility, there was an altar call given. One of the first respondents was Ed Bulen. He served God the rest of his life.   

The church and school continued to grow.   By 1974 it became clear that a new location was needed.   Pastor Harold Wood, who now was at the helm, began looking. While Pastor Wood was driving on the south side of Escondido on Highway 78, he saw a beautiful piece of property covered with lime groves.   He stopped and got out of his car. Excited by what he saw, he yelled out, “God this would be perfect!” Somebody yelled back from the middle of the grove, “Can we help you?” Pastor Wood saw a man and a woman walking toward him. Pastor Wood introduced himself, “I pastor a church here in town and we are looking for some property.” “Well this property’s not for sale,” the man shot back at him.  Pastor Wood apologized and began to walk back to his car, when the woman said, “Unless you’re going to build a school.” This couple, Bill and Virgie Purdum, helped the church and school take ownership of that piece of property they owned for pennies on the dollar.  This great blessing allowed for the construction of much of the current facilities, which the church and school took occupancy of in 1975. The church and school continued to grow.  It became obvious to the next Pastor, Dr.  Coleman Phillips, that more facility space was needed. God opened the door to purchase an additional five acres, which gave the ministry ownership of the entire length of property along Highway 78 between Idaho Avenue and 17th Avenue, bringing the total land parcel size to 18 acres.  

Dr. Phillips then led the building of a new preschool, two 2-story buildings, and a beautiful state-of-the-art sanctuary in 1987, which brought the total amount of usable facilities space to 63,000 square feet.