Our Story
“But by the grace of God I am what I am . . .”
— 1 Corinthians 15:10
Eric Schonbachler
An unworthy servant of Jesus Christ, called to proclaim the glorious hope of the gospel to small-town America and beyond. I grew up in a small town in eastern Oregon. Though I went to various Protestant churches growing up, and claimed to be Christian, I was far from it. I left home after High School and went to college at the University of Wyoming. I became a Catholic, yet continued to live a reprobate and wicked life. I graduated, was commissioned into the U.S. Army, and had no intention of ever leaving the military. However, due to a difficult family situation, I left the Army in order to care for my mother who was battling cancer. It was at this point in life where God began to press me. Taking my mother to chemotherapy placed upon my mind the reality that I too would face death one day. With my identity always being tied to a life in the military, I no longer knew who I was, why I was here, and what I was to do with my life. I searched tirelessly for truth. This is when I began searching the Scriptures. Upon reading His word, He revealed my wicked and rebellious life and the hope found in Christ alone. I found my true identity in Christ, left Catholicism, and from that point on, I have longed to please God and share His beautiful truth.
Life after the military proved eventful. For 11 years I was employed as a journeyman lineman (worked on powerlines). I then moved into full-time ministry. Upon confirmation from my church of spiritual gifting’s and encouragement from other brothers and sisters in Christ, I am went full-time as an evangelist and purposed to give my life to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Unfortunately however, I entered the streets at the same time COVID did (or more accurately, the tyrannical mandates). In the course of God’s providence, we ended up leaving our church and planting one in the tiny town of Lexington, OR (Lexington Reformed Baptist Church). I currently serve as pastor and lead evangelist there. We commit to never closing our doors without biblical precedence, never bowing to tyrants, nor compromising on the commands of our great King. He is worthy to be praised and His message ought never by silenced!
Our Family
Upon returning home from the military, I began a relationship with, and soon married my beautiful wife Rachel. Rachel is a pillar of our home; sacrificing many lifelong dreams to give her life to Christ and our family. During the early years of our marriage she graduated nursing school and became a registered nurse. She soon left full-time nursing upon the arrival of our children. She has committed to raise and educate our children at home. Her gift of service is a blessing to our family, the church, and the many patients she cares for at work. Our oldest, Tacey, has grown to be a wonderful helper at home and regularly goes with dad to plead for baby’s lives at the nearby abortion mill. Asher, our second, is an energetic little guy who loves the outdoors. He has been diagnosed with a very rare brain disease (4H, Leukodystrophy). We are privileged that God would grace our home with his presence and allow us to love and care for him during his expected short-time on earth (barring a miracle from God). Eliana, our third, has brought immeasurable joy to our home. We are extremely blessed God chose us to be the parents of this amazing little girl. We believe God blessed us with her that she may find her identity in Christ alone, as we desire all our children to find. We commit to raising them to know and love our God within the context of a Christian worldview.