Welcome, Gabe Ervin!

We are so excited to welcome Gabe Ervin as our new UpStreet Production Director! Gabe began serving with us in June, and he is passionate about leading kids at Access Church into a growing relationship with Jesus.

Gabe is a Jacksonville native and is the youngest of four boys in a family of parents devoted to following Jesus. Gabe remembers being at church almost every day growing up. It was a place of safety and comfort, where he learned about Jesus from Sunday School teachers and pastors in a way that left a lasting impression on him.

As Gabe grew older, he began drifting from God and became rebellious, running away from home at 18 years old. However, at a low point in Gabe’s life, God showed himself the most, pursuing him relentlessly through family, friends, Gabe’s mentor, his pastor, and others. Gabe then started exploring faith on his own and gave his life to Christ.

In 2018 Gabe began attending Southeastern University, studying Christian Ministries. “I chose to pursue ministry because of my youth pastor, John Teele, and his wife. During the most challenging time in my life, his wife told me, ‘Gabe, John and I will always choose to believe the best in you.’ I realized I wanted to be that same source of support for others. Just as they believed in me when I was at my lowest, I wanted to extend that same belief in others, offering them hope and encouragement.”

During his time in college, Gabe had several internships including an internship at Bold City Church in Jacksonville with the kids director and student pastor, an internship at Grace City Church in Lakeland working in the middle- and high-school environments, and an internship at Mosaic Christian Church in Baltimore, MD, working with the connections and groups directors.

Gabe graduated in 2022 with a BA in Christian Ministries and a minor in psychology. Upon graduation, he took a break from ministry to refocus on the core reasons for his calling. In early 2024 he felt the call that it was time to return to ministry.

“During my time seeking the Lord’s guidance, I came across Access Church and had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Rich for an interview. From that moment, I felt a sense of peace, that this was where I was meant to be. Access Church is a place that truly embodies a love for people while challenging individuals in their faith. It’s a community where personal growth is encouraged through small groups and the fostering of authentic relationships. Access Church understands that we were never meant to navigate life alone and supports members in living out their faith in community.”

Gabe is excited to be where he started in his first internship: in Kids Ministry! “What excites me most about UpStreet is the opportunity to keep making the environment vibrant and engaging for kids. I’m passionate about helping children experience the joy of church and a deep love for God. My hope and prayer are that as they grow older, they will look back on their time here and remember the childlike faith and the love they have for Jesus. My goal is for children to develop a desire to return each week and to begin building a meaningful relationship with Jesus. I am dedicated to praying for them daily and believing in their growth as they mature.”

Gabe works full-time as the service coordinator at an independent living facility, where he serves 166 senior citizens. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball, longboarding, hitting the beach, and discovering new coffee shops around the city. If he could, he would take his 6-year-old Siberian husky, Zeus Apollo Ervin, everywhere with him.