Eric J. Gilchrest, Senior Pastor

My name is Eric Gilchrest, and I serve as the Senior Pastor here at South Run Baptist Church. I’m a pastor because I believe the church matters. In a noisy, fractured world, I’ve seen how the gospel of Jesus Christ brings clarity, healing, and purpose. My role at South Run Baptist Church is to help people grow into that reality—to know Scripture, live with intention, and trust that God is at work in our lives and in our world.

I believe that the role of a pastor is not just to lead services or preach sermons, but to care for souls, to walk with people through every season of life, and to help the church remain faithful to Christ in an ever-changing world.

My journey into ministry began with a family steeped in faith. I’m a Baptist minister, the son of a Methodist pastor, nephew of a Lutheran minister, and grandson of Mennonites from Pennsylvania. That kind of upbringing exposed me early to the richness and diversity within the Christian tradition, and it has shaped the way I think about theology, worship, and the church.

I studied theology at Asbury Theological Seminary and later earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Baylor University. Before coming to South Run, I spent several years teaching Bible and theology at the college level while also serving as a bi-vocational pastor in Alabama. These experiences deepened my commitment to both the academic study of Scripture and the practical work of shepherding a congregation.

In 2017, I was called to serve as the pastor here at South Run. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. This is a church that takes seriously its mission, its people, and its faith. We often describe ourselves as a “family church,” and while many churches say that, I’ve found it to be genuinely true here.

Living and ministering in Northern Virginia has been an unexpected blessing for me, my wife, and our three kids. The energy, diversity, and depth of this region make it a unique place to do ministry and raise a family. I am continually encouraged by the people I meet and the stories they tell. 

If you’re looking for a church home, I would welcome the opportunity to meet you. My hope is that South Run can be a place where you and your family are known, encouraged, and challenged to grow in your faith. Where you find a sense of home. If I can be of service to you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.