Eric Applegate

Hey Church! Eric Applegate here. I’m happy to share with you a little about myself. I grew up in a small town called Lompoc. (I imagine most people reading this are pronouncing Lompoc, Lam-Pac, like it’s closely related to 2-pac, but it’s pronounced Lom-poke). It’s a farm/military/penitentiary/space-x area, and once was the city of pretty flowers. We still have flowers, but mainly under-the-influence flowers. I may not be the biggest fan of Lompoc, but I can say that I love what came from Lompoc. I developed some of the closest friendships and bonds through our suffering and wild childhood. From roaming through the brush and trees of the chaparral to tossing firecrackers over the community pools as mere entertainment. We pulled all-nighters, tee-peed houses, ding-dong-ditched, and forked lawn. All you could ask for in a small town. Needless to say, we were not the best of children. Like most families from our area, I had a bit too much freedom growing up. 

I’m happy to say God has transformed me from that wild child, and I’m glad He brought me here to San Jose. There are so many beautiful places up here in the bay and considering I’m a big nature person and foodie, my favorite hike has got to be Mission Peak while my favorite place to eat is Homeroom in Oakland. BY FAR THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE. If you don’t know, now you know.

I remember church searching a couple of years ago and after 4 or 5 churches, I had finally found one that seemed to be building true leaders to be disciples of all nations. From the first service to my Life Group, I have seen so many examples of God moving. My most recent Life group highlight has to be our involvement in our WhatsApp convos. Our whole group is in ‘Abide’, and we’ve been sharing prayer requests to praise reports, and even just funny things that happen in our daily lives. I love hearing about what’s going on in my Life Group and am always encouraged by these prayer warriors. This is especially apparent in this time of COVID. I for one was extremely discouraged at the start of COVID, but shortly after, I realized God is moving. My Life group did an amazing job of taking care of me as I was sick for 5 to almost 6 weeks. They encouraged me, prayed for me, and shed light on this idea that God is breaking down the barriers of what we see as Christianity. Now, I do not fear COVID, nor what is to come, as I know we are fighting from victory and this will be used in God’s amazing plan for glorification.

I love you, church, and can’t wait to know more of you!

Your brother in Christ, Eric Applegate