Church United — National Christian Foundation SFL
Edwin Copeland
Edwin (Eddie) currently serves as the Executive Director of Church United — a multi-denominational movement that seeks to unify the Church for the sake of mission – and is apart of the NCFSF Executive Team. Eddie firmly believes the Church is the hope of the world and has worked toward that end throughout his entire career. Prior to his time at NCF, Eddie served in executive level leadership and pastoral staff in both local Church and para-church ministries. He has helped lead RENEW South Florida, a local church planting and leadership development organization, and has served as Vice President of Community Engagement for HOPE South Florida, where he oversaw all overflow emergency shelter operations for homeless children and families, organizational development, strategic partnerships and church network. Eddie is a sought-after consultant on church-based community development and social mobilization and views his life calling to help activate the people of God in South Florida. His greatest joy is being married to the love of his life and high-school sweetheart Sara and being dad to three daughters, Anna, Oliva, Rebecca and son, Nathan. Eddie holds a B.S. in Theology from Moody Bible Institute, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Trinity International University, an M.B.A from Corban University’s Hoff School of Business and is a two-time recipient of the Made to Flourish Fellowship with the Acton Institute on Faith, Work and Economics. You’ll know Eddie when you see him, he’ll always have an iced coffee in his hands.

What is the ministry challenge keeping you up at night?

Passing a deeply formed faith to the next generation that is rooted in the fruits of the spirit and Christ likeness rather than shallow Sunday morning shows and emotive experiences.

What is the greatest hope for God’s work in 2023 you’re dreaming about?

The Christian faith has always been a continual story of death and resurrection. The church in the West finds herself in a death and resurrection moment. God is clearly birthing a new thing. Our challenge will be to not put that new thing in old wine skins. My greatest hope? The Church has always been God’s plan-A to bring redemption and restoration to the world. And he doesn’t have a plan-B.

What is a non-ministry activity that brings you joy and energy?

Being on the water with a cigar and friends talking life, making jokes and not taking ourselves seriously.

What are the top 1-3 essentials for the Church in America to address to reach those who are spiritually open, but not yet following Jesus?

1. Move away from pointing people to the local church’s Sunday morning service as the first CTA 2. Demonstrate the fruits of the spirit and Christ likeness rather than the “success” of our ministries in butts in seats, dollars in the budget and buildings. 3. Get real comfortable with ambiguity and taking a long term view of transformation.
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