Erie Evangelical Free Church (Erie, IL)

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg kicks off the first week of our Back-to-School series, "The Final Bell," in a discussion about death. We know death is important (we talk about Jesus' death). We know death is inevitable (we talk about how every person dies and faces judgment). But, still, we often keep it at an arms-length. We prefer not to deal with it in relation to MY life and YOUR life. Why must this not be the case? Psalm 90 gives us a beautiful answer.

Pastor Jonathan concludes our series, "Behind the Shield," by looking at the end of the story of Esau's family, Edom, in the Old Testament book of Obadiah.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our series, "Behind the Shield." Everyone wants to live a life worthy of being remembered. But what is our standard for what we deem worthy of remembrance? Genesis 36 offers us a comparison between two lives and two legacies. This comparison gives us two godly guidelines for how we can leave a faith-filled legacy.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg leads us through the next message in our series on the life of Jacob. This week we find Jacob's part of God's plan to bless the world coming to a close. This conclusion is not full of the grand excitement one might expect. Jacob is faithful and God takes care of him, but we are reminded here that our job is not to fulfill OUR purposes. Instead we, like Jacob, are to finish the mission to which God has called us for HIS purposes.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg jumps back into our study of Genesis in our series, "Behind the Shield." Sometimes the responsibilities, concerns, or even joys of everyday life can steal our focus and leave us in a "rut". This isn't necessarily wrong, until it steals our attention from what God has called us to do. In these times we must reset our focus on the faithfulness of God. How does that change the way we respond? We see the answer in Genesis 35:1-15.

Pastor Ron Eckberg delivers a special Memorial Day message at EEFC. Memorial Day should be a somber day of remembering those who paid the ultimate price defending freedoms we enjoy. For Christians, however, there is a greater “Memorial Day” called “Every Day” – for every day, hour, and minute should be a reminder of the price Christ paid for our freedom.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our study of the life of Jacob in our series, "Behind the Shield." Genesis 34 is a dark chapter in our study of Jacob's life. It is full of lust, deception, and murder. Not exactly an uplifting example of godly living! However, through this darkness God shows us three important guides to help us live gracious lives that point others to His goodness.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg teaches the next message in our series, "Behind the Shield." No one likes to be wrong. Most of us like admitting our errors even less. In Genesis 33, Jacob must come face to face with the mistakes of his past. But through this meeting and shocking reconciliation, we learn three important aspects of faithful forgiveness.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg continues our series, "Behind the Shield," as we look at the life of Jacob. Ever work hard on a problem, only to come to the end of the day and think, "Duh! I should have known that!" It can be easy to miss truths that should be obvious. Sometimes God uses the dark of night to teach us lessons we should have learned in the light. We see how as we follow Jacob's night of learning in Genesis 32:22-32.

Pastor Jonathan Eckberg begins our new series, "Behind the Shield," as we look at the closing scenes of Jacob's journey. Sometimes we feel like life moves us out of the frying pan and into the fire. This is how Jacob feels as he begins his journey back to his homeland. As he faces the ever increasing danger ahead, God shows him (and us!), through Genesis 31:1-21, how faithfulness is the key to endurance.