Worship Center
The Worship Center offers three identical weekend services. Each service is packed with creativity, uplifting music, and a powerful message to help you through your week.
The Venue
The Venue is a more relaxed worship experience.
* A full children's program for kids birth thru fifth grade is available at the same time as the three Sunday services
Get Connected!
Valparaiso Nazarene Church Staff
Eric Wood
Youth Pastor - ericw@valponaz.org
I am the youth pastor at VNC. I grew up a hop, skip, and a jump away in a little town called Hebron, IN. Starting in 3rd grade my family decided to attend the Valparaiso Nazarene Church and I have been involved here at VNC ever since that year. All through high school I was an active member of the youth group and played the drums for both the youth and adult services.
After high school graduation I went off to Olivet Nazarene University in pursuit of a youth ministry degree. During my Junior year at ONU I met and fell in love with the love of my life, Sally. A year later in November we were engaged and the following summer we were married. After graduation in May of 2005, I started my position here at VNC as the middle school youth pastor and have been here ever since. I now serve as the high school and middle school pastor. Sally is the K-2 children's pastor and its been great working side-by-side with my wife! Now, in September of '08, Sally and I are expecting our first child, a girl. I am both excited and scared out of my mind.
I love my job as a youth pastor and definitely enjoy seeing teens seeking after and finding God. It's both a privilege and an honor to be an active role in teaching students about the Bible and the love of God. Retreats and trips are among my favorite times to hang out with teens and get to know them. If I'm being honest, paintball and dodge ball rank up there too as some of my favorite times with the youth group. Each year I look forward to leading the group on a mission trip of some sort and making an impact in any community we go to.
I enjoy long walks on the beach (only if it involves some sort of Frisbee or volleyball), and I like kittens and puppies only if they are somebody else's. I am an avid sports fan and love to play any and every sport possible. I watch sports like a fanatic and root for my favorite teams; the Colts (Super Bowl Champs '07); Cubs (this is the year); Indiana University Basketball, and Tiger Woods. One last thing you might want to know is that I love to play the drums and collect drum sticks from any and every Hard Rock Café possible. They are proudly displayed in my office!