Leadership, with a concentration on Black Church Leadership, from Concordia University in Chicago. Eric’s great joy is found in the smile on his wife’s face. He married the former TonyaMae Ross on June 7, 2020 during the heightened state of the global pandemic. As Jacques Doukhan said, “We will never enjoy the beauty of the rose if we do not run the risk of being hurt by its thorns. We will not be able to move forward if we are afraid of obstacles.” Through these and other experiences, the couple has come to believe their love story is His story and their ministry gift to those they serve. Eric’s greatest desire is summarily expressed via Paul’s remarks to the church at Philippi. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:10-12 NIV).”