The Rev. Rodrick Echols (he/his) serves as Pastor at Neighborhood Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Laguna Beach, CA. He is a graduate of both Brown University and the School of Theology at Boston University. Prior to beginning full-time ministry in Laguna, Rod held fund development roles at prominent, national institutions, including UC San Diego, Brown University, United Way, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His specialties include pastoral care, leadership development, speech communication, and counseling. Rod was pleased to serve in various capacities with a number of churches, including Youth Pastor, Interim Pastor, and Pastor of Congregational Development. Rod is originally from Memphis, TN, with unfailing tastes for jazz, soul, and gospel music. He is a lover of comic books, works on astrotheology, college basketball, professional football, and non-chocolate candies. His ongoing academic interest is in the development of a theory of leadership for equitable communities.
