Senior Leadership

Dawayne Choice has been serving in full-time ministry since graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2000. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, he surrendered his life to Christ on January 19, 1991, through the youth ministry of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, where God first began stirring his heart for ministry. After college, he served as Youth Pastor at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Marion, Indiana, before embracing God's call to pastoral ministry in 2007. He later earned a Master of Arts in Discipling Ministries from Huntington University in 2010.

In June 2006, Dawayne married the love of his life, Saylease Choice. Saylease earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Youth and Family Services from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education from Ball State University. She is passionate about investing in children, strengthening families, and shepherding young couples.

Together, Dawayne and Saylease have faithfully followed God's leading in ministry. After serving in Marion, Indiana, and later in Detroit, Michigan, they sensed God calling them back to Chicago to plant Engage Christian Church. Since launching the church in 2016, they have been committed to making disciples, equipping everyday missionaries, and serving their community with the love of Christ.

Their life verse is Proverbs 3:5–6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."