Eric Sayler Appointed as UCC Ministerial Director

By Dustin Jones,

Director, Upper Columbia Conference, Communications

During a meeting of the Upper Columbia Conference executive committee held Thursday, September 25, Eric Sayler was appointed as ministerial director. 

Eric Sayler is well acquainted with the inland northwest with more than 15 years of ministry in UCC. Sayler currently serves as the lead pastor at Walla Walla Eastgate Church in Walla Walla, WA. 

“Eric is a very spiritual and capable young man who is wise beyond his years,” said David Jamieson, president, Upper Columbia Conference. “We are delighted that he has accepted the role of being a pastor to the pastors.”

In 2006, Sayler graduated with a major in theology from Walla Walla College along with a minor in history. After graduating, he spent a year as a bible worker at Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church from June 2006-July 2007 and continued as a Bible worker at Pendleton Seventh-day Adventist Church the next year. As a Bible worker, he gained valuable experience mentoring and discipling others through Bible study, planned and co-taught several evangelistic series, and organized regular youth group activities.

In 2008, Sayler received his certificate in pastoral coaching from the North American Division Evangelism Institute. He furthered his studies at Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, graduating with a master’s degree in divinity in 2010.

In 2010, Sayler began serving as lead pastor for the Pendleton/Pilot Rock Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Oregon. There, Sayler developed a vibrant family ministries team, worked in tandem with the local Adventist School and oversaw significant church growth over the course of four years.

In 2014, Eric Sayler accepted a position as lead pastor for the Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church in Walla Walla, where he has served for eleven years. At Eastgate, he has had the opportunity to mentor theology students from Walla Walla University yearly and lead several evangelistic series.

He has taken on numerous challenges during his pastoral leadership of Eastgate, including recovery following a fire in the church’s kitchen/fellowship hall, and raising $260,000 in funds for physical plant renovations. 

The Eastgate church has flourished during Sayler’s pastorship, with average attendance increasing from 165 to more than 265 people. In response to church growth, Sayler oversaw the addition of a second worship service to accommodate kingdom growth and facilitated the formation of community engagement teams and the ongoing development of small group ministries. Recently, Sayler became a certified pastoral field mentor through the Center for Community Change at Andrews University.

“What an honor to join this talented team at the conference office and beyond,” said Sayler. “I’m looking forward to working alongside and supporting our Upper Columbia pastors and church leaders.”

Eric, his wife Stacie, their son Joshua, and daughter Jillian, all enjoy a rural, country lifestyle. They raise golden retrievers, dairy and pack goats, and ride horses. In addition to ministry and farming, Eric spends time hiking with his goats in the mountains, fishing, and reading.