Eternally Grateful Ministries

 

Welcome

Bio

Video Testimony

My Best Day

The Bible & Homosexuality

Addictive Behavior

Starting Over

Ten Tips

King David and Psalm 51

For family and friends

For Men - Patrick's Story

For Women - Carol's Story

How to know Jesus Christ

Kelly's Ministry of Song

About the Garners

Poems

Anatomy of A Decision

In Christ, I Am

Poems By Eric

Publications

Addtional Resources

For Pastors

Speaking Engagements

Hope Connections

Guest Book

Contact Me

Change is possible with the role of Jesus Christ as deliverer, counselor and Lord.


E
ric was born in Greenville, South Carolina into a family of five consisting of his mother, father, sister and brother. Soon after graduation from High School, Eric joined the U.S. Navy and served a two and a half year term. After much prayer and many emotional struggles and battles in his own heart, he revealed to his family that he was a homosexual. Once he divulged this to his family, he then began living life submersed in the gay lifestyle. After ten years in this lifestyle, the mother of a friend invited him to church. He began attending church regularly, and heard Biblical teaching about the truth of Jesus Christ. On January 7, 1990, Eric realized that he needed to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He went to the pastor and asked if he could pray for Christ to come into his life, and be made into the man of God he needed to be.  The Scriptures teach in 1 Corinthians 6:9-12 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind...shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."  When Eric accepted Christ as his Savior on that January day, he became a new creation! God began to do a work in his life, changing his thoughts and his values. He studied his Bible, learning how and why he was created and how God wanted him to live in this world. After reading the book of Romans, and after much prayer, Eric knew that God was calling him out of the gay lifestyle. Though at the time this was an overwhelming thought, he obeyed this call through the help of the Holy Spirit who now indwelt him.  In 1992 Eric married a wonderful Christian lady named Kelly, and together they have heard and obeyed God's call to serve Him in the ministry. Eric received his Associate of Divinity degree in 1997 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Eric and Kelly are active members at the Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina. On July 10th 1998 Kelly gave birth to their son, Andrew. Eric gives his powerful testimony and challenges the church to not neglect its obligation to lovingly witness to homosexuals. Kelly complements Eric's ministry beautifully, especially through her ministry of song.