Pastor Eric Gustafson was reared in a Christian home the youngest of three children. At the age of five, Pastor Gustafson accepted Christ as His Savior. While studying pre-law at Pensacola Christian College the Lord touched Pastor Gustafson's heart with the burden to preach.
Upon graduating in 1998 with his Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Pastor Gustafson married Elizabeth (Uppena) Gustafson. While pursuing his Master of Science degree in Educational Administration, Pastor and Elizabeth had their first of seven children. Abigail would later be accompanied by her other sisters Emma, Anne, and Erin as well as her brothers, Andrew, Ethan, and Abraham.
Pastor Gustafson has served in a variety of ministries over the last 22 years including: Assistant Dean of Men at Pensacola Christian College, youth pastor in a local church, and program director at Southland Christian Camp. Pastor Gustafson was called to be the senior pastor of Paradise Valley Baptist Church in May of 2009.