Rev. Eric Klimpel graduated from Valley Forge Military Junior College, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in 1989 with a A.S. in Chemistry.  He received his early commission into the U.S. Army Reserves while at Valley Forge where he served as a transportation officer.  Pastor Eric went on to graduate from the University of Texas in Austin in 1992 with a B.A. in Classics and Chemistry.  He attended the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, graduating with a Masters of Divinity in 1996.  While at Southern Seminary, he served as U.S. Army chaplain for a training brigade at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Pastor Eric has served congregations in Spring Hill, Florida, Columbia, South Carolina (youth minister) and Bay City, Texas.  While a pastor, he has served as dean of the Rice Belt Ministerium, as treasurer and executive officer of the Bay City Ministerial Alliance, as board chair and organizer of the Matagorda Interfaith for Natural Disaster Recovery, and in numerous board positions for Hospice, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army...and his favorite color is blue.  

Pastor Eric is married to his lovely bride, Teri, for many wonderful years.  He has two darling children, Ashley and Austin, and a small dwarf bunny, Buster.  His favorite question to ask in any given situation is - Where is God in all this? (W.I.G.I.A.T.)

Margie Akers is the director of Children of Joy! Preschool.
Margie joined the SOJ! staff in the summer of 2007. She brings 20 years of experience in early childhood education and special education.