Eric C. Powell

Characterized by a relevant and creative approach to leadership, ministry, and the arts, Eric’s 20+ years of experience has cultivated spiritual growth, artistic development, and community engagement in the various ministries he has served.

Inspired by Jesus, people, music, and creative things, Eric’s desire is to see others develop a passionate and purposeful faith in Jesus that goes beyond a once a week gathering and into their everyday lives.

Pastoral Shepherding

Whether as pastor, worship leader, technical director, or ministry coach, Eric’s primary concern is the spiritual growth of those he shepherds. He gives great emphasis to building personal relationships, demonstrating a lifestyle of discipleship, and encouraging spiritual growth in small group and large group gatherings. 

Worship and Arts Development

Eric’s 15 years of Worship & Arts leadership consists of guiding struggling churches through worship style changes, Biblical teaching on worship and the arts, organizing the technical and administrative aspects of worship ministry growth, as well as successfully building worship ministries from the ground up into thriving and effective teams. As an accomplished musician, songwriter, and graphic designer, Eric is known as a pastor to artists. He identifies with and can speak to the heart of the musician/artist while helping to encourage a relationship with our creative God.

Community Engagement

With a desire for all ages to discover the full and fulfilling life that Jesus offers, Eric encourages the local church to be intentional about serving the needs of their community. Such community engagement (outreach) grows those who are serving as well as those served. While we can learn much about our faith and doctrine, we have not truly learned until we live it out. Eric has proven success making inroads with community organizations, positively changing the way outsiders see Jesus.

Church Planting

Having served as founder and lead pastor/planter of Encounter Church in Helena, Montana, Eric has developed a true passion for church planting and young ministries. Through this time as a NAMB church-planting missionary, his skills and experience now cover a broad spectrum. Preaching, vision-casting, discipling groups/individuals, and coordinating successful outreach efforts, are all skills that any church, especially new church plants, should find essential.

Coaching and Consultation

Eric has successfully challenged stalled ministries to move outside their circle of comfort in communicating Jesus’ unconditional love in creative and sometime non-traditional ways. Whether through outreach, music worship style, the visual arts, or overall ministry approach, Eric specializes in guiding churches toward their next steps of growth.