Erika fell in love with the many ways FBC practices its progressive, inclusive, generous faith, and came on staff as its senior pastor in 2015. Inspired by the congregation’s choice of the words of Matthew 25 to guide them, she joins them in learning, loving, serving, and seeking justice and joy for all.
Over the years, her faith has been shaped by the American Baptist congregation she grew up and was ordained in; an internship focused on racial justice and community development in Mississippi; the chance to learn about devotion, hope, and resilience while working in Kenya; and the years she spent teaching religion and literature at Ottawa University in Kansas. Her understanding of church and all the possibilities it has for doing good in the world was formed by Saint Andrew Christian Church, the creative, justice-seeking Disciples of Christ congregation in Kansas that she served as Associate Pastor before coming to FBC.
Erika is a graduate of Ottawa University (B.A., English), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and the University of Missouri – Kansas City (Ph.D.). Her dissertation focused on the ways contemporary women are borrowing or creating rituals around childbirth to navigate their own identity transitions and to strengthen their communities.
Erika and her two teenage sons make their home in McMinnville, and are continually delighted by all there is to explore around here.