Erich grew up in several cities across South Carolina, despite being born in Portland, Oregon. He was homeschooled along with his two brothers (one of which is his identical twin Sean, who also serves at Sandhills). In 2001 his family moved to Columbia, and began attending Sandhills Community Church in the summer of 2002. He joined the student ministry as a 7th grader and has been there almost ever since. Growing under the leadership of Pastor Chris and other adult leaders led him to step into more leadership roles as a student, and faithfully join in many ministry opportunities and mission trips. The Lord led him to attend Columbia International University, and study Communication and Bible. During his studies he continued serving the students at Sandhills, and he spent a semester studying Film at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. He graduated in 2012 with a B.S., and began using his passion for the Bible, telling stories, and impacting students, in another local church as a youth pastor for the next three years. In 2015 the Lord was leading him back to Sandhills, where he began volunteering in the student ministry (as well as working security at CIU, so middle schoolers beware!). He was hired on staff as Middle School Pastor in 2016. Besides spending time with students, he thoroughly enjoys movies, hiking, playing drums, and just about anything Disney. He and his brother also share a deep love for Tolkien’s world of Middle-Earth, and will answer just about any question that you have about the books or movies (seriously…any question).