Worship and Arts Intern

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Eric grew up in small town in Kansas named Independence and moved to St. Louis at the end of High School. He eventually ended up attending college at Mizzou where he graduated with degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. After graduating from college he returned to St. Louis to pursue a career in Engineering. He and Lisa married and began to build their life together. Eric continuously seeks out opportunities to play music, from getting involved at various churches to joining a band and playing high-energy rock in bars. "Music fuels me and gives me both an outlet of expression and an opportunity to connect with others. I've had opportunities to be a creative member of a band as well as a leader, and God continues to teach me more about who he is, who I am, and how to use the gifts and time that he has given me."

What's your idea of a perfect day?
Temperature in the 60s, partly cloudy; waking up and making breakfast that includes bacon, of course (it's from heaven you know); spending the day doing whatever, eating pizza and hot wings; playing a rock show at night. That'd probably do just fine.

How did you meet your wife?
I moved from a small town in Kansas to St. Louis at the end of high school and met Lisa during my last semester of my senior year. After some academic shuffling we ended up at the same college, and we've been together ever since.

Tell us about the fam:
1 wife, Lisa. 1 son Elijah.

Favorite Team:
St. Louis Cardinals

Favorite Movie:
The Matrix. The first time I saw it I was blown away, both visually and conceptually. It's probably the only movie that when it was over, I immediately thought, "I want to watch that again. Right now."

Favorite Pizza:
Talayna's on Main Street, St. Charles. New York Style Pepperoni (and perhaps some other meats) with extra sauce.

Must Reads:
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien (not watching the movies, although they are quite good, but actually reading the books).
Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Talion: Revenant by Michael Stackpole.

I just noticed that these are all books written by or about people who risk everything for the greater good without thought of reward, sometimes suffering and dying for that which they held most dear.

Pancake or Waffle?
Definitely waffle, but with Strawberry jam or preserves instead of syrup. I've sure been into strawberry stuff for the last year or so, probably because I suppressed any love for strawberries when I was younger. My sister liked strawberries, so of course that meant that I thought they were the grossest thing in the world and I could not possibly eat them. Come to find out, she was right; they are pretty good.

What's on your iPod?
Taking Back Sunday, Incubus, Led Zeppelin, Alan Feinberg on the piano playing selections from American Innovators (like Ives, Cowell, and Cage)

Quote:
Q: "Why is it that every time I want to play music, I end up in 6/8?"
A: "Maybe 6/8 is the signature of our time." -- Bryan McGranahan

What's your vision for Refuge?
I'd like to see our church engage the cultures and subcultures around us, immersing ourselves in them and investing in the people we meet along the way. The world doesn't need another hip, trendy, or flashy church-fortress. It needs a body of people who are constantly dependent on God's infinite grace, who pour themselves out to anyone around them regardless of whether they are likable, who live life with the same reckless abandon and humility as Jesus Himself.