Pastor Eric is a Western New York native; he grew up in Buffalo, NY. Eric is attending Northeastern Seminary, pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry. He received his Master in Divinity at United Lutheran Seminary, graduating in May 2019. Before seminary, he attended the University of Buffalo and graduated with a degree in History. While attending the University of Buffalo, Eric managed several quick-service restaurants throughout the WNY area. He discerned a call towards ordained ministry while serving as a sexton at a Lutheran church in Buffalo.
While attending classes in Philadelphia, Eric served at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, PA, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Burlhome, PA. He was elected and served as Student Body President of the seminary, where he led the student body as they merged with a sister school in Gettysburg, PA. Between 2017 and 2018, he served as a Pastoral Intern at St. John Lutheran Church in Williamsville, NY.
Eric’s passion for ministry centers on education and storytelling. He sees the Bible not as a collection of verses and truths but as an elaborate tale that tells us who we are and how we relate to our creator. Understanding these stories and the larger narrative they are trying to tell us is imperative to Christian discipleship—Eric endeavors through education to open up these stories and narratives to all.
Eric and his wife Janice met while he was completing a summer chaplain internship at Strong Memorial Hospital. She is currently a G.I. doctor at URMC. They were married in 2017. Eric and Janice welcomed their son, Josiah, into the world in December of 2023. They also have an Shetland Sheep dog named Reggie. Eric enjoys reading, cooking, and kayaking in his spare time with his family.