Eric R. Reamer

People think of several different characteristics when referring to a hero. I believe a hero is even more than the average brave, compassionate, and courageous person. They must also be honest, respectful, trustworthy, and willing to serve Jesus Christ. When I think of these particular qualities, Pastor Eric R. Reamer comes to mind. While in college, he felt God’s call to serve as a minister. There were many challenges in his life while growing up, one being losing his father to cancer. Yet, he pushed on and with God’s guidance he became not only a man with great kindness and compassion, but also a man filled with love for the Lord.

Pastor Eric attended seminary and over time he was able to serve several local churches as an assistant pastor and also as a youth group leader. This was not enough though, he felt called to do more for God. Purchasing an old store in his hometown of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Pastor Eric decided to open a church of his own. There was much work, as well as love, put into that small building. Eric was very diligent throughout this time and his dedication soon paid off. With the help of family, friends, and most importantly the Lord, the entire project was strung together and the church was soon ready for the first of many successful services. The average number of people who attended weekly was approximately twenty, yet as the word spread of the little church, the congregation grew.

Pastor Eric is my hero for numerous reasons, but the one that stands out to me, among all the others, is his complete dedication to the Lord. Through thick and thin, he never doubts God’s decisions, knowing that His ways are far greater and well-planned then any human being could even hope to achieve. He has a strong relationship with the Lord and shows it daily. By committing his life to showing God’s love and forgiveness to the world, he has greatly affected me as a Christian. I look up to this person because of his respect for, fear of, and obedience to the Lord. He has demonstrated all of these things in his life and I have been greatly impacted in his doing so. God states in the Bible that it is better to save a soul, which will last for eternity, then to save a life which will last only this short time on earth. This is why Pastor Eric is a true hero.