In a heartfelt conversation, Eric Easter shares his journey through faith, redemption, and personal transformation. For this special feature, we recorded our discussion around the Easter season—a time of renewal and reflection—highlighting how God’s grace can profoundly change lives.
Eric begins by sharing a glimpse of his life—one filled with significant challenges and hardships. Growing up, he always had a belief in God, fueled by the teachings of his mother who made sure he was in church regularly. However, the message he received from the church was often steeped in fear and judgment. “I always thought God was up there keeping score, and he was mad at me if I did something wrong,” Eric recalls. This skewed perception formed the basis of his faith for many years.Tragedy struck just days before his 21st birthday when his mother died in a tragic car accident. Struggling with grief and anger, Eric chose to turn away from God and instead turned to drugs—a choice that led him into a dark world that spanned over thirteen years of addiction, pain, and disappointment.
Everything changed during a life-altering moment locked in a jail cell. Facing multiple charges, the world around him seemed bleak. In that desperate moment, he chose to surrender his life to Christ. “I started to experience the love and grace that he had for me,” Eric says, reflecting on how God began to bless him and work miracles in both his and his family’s lives.The transition from a life of addiction to one of purpose wasn’t immediate. Eric acknowledges the struggle of shifting from a mindset of judgment to one of grace and forgiveness. “I thought God was out to get me, but the father I met was full of love,” he explains. Through the guidance of supportive church leaders and a newfound relationship with God, he began to recognize the importance of seeking divine guidance rather than relying on human opinions.
One of the most profound revelations Eric shares is about the community he found at Trinity Fellowship. No longer did he feel judged for his past; instead, he felt supported and encouraged. “They told me, you don't need to quit everything right now. Just focus on Jesus, and the rest will come,” he recalls, emphasizing how a loving community can make a world of difference for someone in recovery.Eric also highlights the power of forgiveness—not just forgiving others but also accepting forgiveness for himself. “Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for healing,” he says, recounting a moment where he had to confront someone from his past. Through forgiveness, he found freedom, allowing God to work in and through him.
Today, Eric serves as a youth pastor and chaplain at a Christ-based men’s rehab center. He is dedicated to helping others navigate their struggles with addiction. “If God did it for me, he can do it for anyone,” Eric stresses, sharing that his past experiences have equipped him with tools to better understand and support those in similar situations.Reflecting on his family, Eric opens up about the challenges he faced in reconnecting with his daughter, who was born while he was in the depths of his addiction. Miraculously, after years of separation, they were able to reunite, and the bond they share today is a testament to God’s redemptive power.
As we close our conversation, Eric offers words of encouragement for those who may struggle with their faith or feel trapped by their past. He believes that true faith flourishes in a place of desperation—forcing us to rely on God rather than ourselves. “It’s about being open to His voice and willing to step into those uncomfortable places of transformation,” he notes.Ultimately, Eric’s story is one of hope and resilience. It serves as a reminder that no one is beyond God’s reach, and every life can be transformed by His grace. With an unwavering faith, Eric continues to share his journey—empowering others to find their own path to redemption.In times of uncertainty or personal struggle, may we all remember the message of Easter—that through surrender, we can find new life, love, and the profound grace of God. As Eric says, “He is a loving Father full of grace, ready to welcome us home.”