Erik Thien

Element, NOLA

The Gulf South Leadership Institute has been a huge help in my walk with God and my ministry. I found myself in that area post Bible College wanting to gain some real ministry experience instead of jumping into seminary. Not that seminary is bad, but it is incredibly time consuming, expensive, and has the tendency to be rigidly academic.

GSLI has provided a way for me to remain focused on real-life ministry and keep my mind sharp through weekly classes. It is a perfect environment to meet with other pastors from all ages and walks of life, and to learn alongside your leadership teams as you interact with the professors to let "iron sharpen iron."

I am encouraged and equipped to be a better leader while implementing concepts into my ministry as opposed to merely learning about them. The professors are great and challenge us with different perspectives and wisdom in biblical thinking, teaching, and service.

Since the classes are leadership-based, they provide the perfect opportunity for me to bring lay leaders that are seeking to engage more in biblical studies but do not have time to go back to school full-time. They are able to be with their families and gain biblical training as they serve the church and live missionally through their careers.

Taking classes together also provides great conversations as we walk through the text and interact with God's word as a group. The classes are a catalyst for sparking interest in biblical concepts and learning, not only for me, but those who have never had any biblical training at all.

Erik earned a degree in Christian Ministry/Counseling from Southwestern College in Phoenix AZ. His passion is to see followers of Jesus engage with art and culture around and us in missional ways to connect people to Christ, His church, and His mission. Erik has been married to the love of his life Emily for 3 1/2 years. He can be seen leading music at various events in the area such as Campus Crusade for Christ and Crossroads Missions.