Rabbi Eric Carlson is the founder and shepherd of Congregation Zion’s Sake, a Messianic Congregation, located in Newport News, Virginia. Eric is a native of Fairview, Pennsylvania and holds a bachelor of Theology degree. He attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, retiring in August 2003 after 22 years of decorated service in the Submarine Force. Responding to God’s call, he founded Congregation Zion’s Sake in May 2000 and entered full time ministry upon retiring from Naval Service. Rabbi Carlson was ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) in January 2006 after two years of Messianic Yeshiva.

Eric hosts a daily Radio program “Torah Chai” on the Oasis Network 91.5 FM in Tidewater, Virginia; 89.7 FM and 93.7 FM in Branson/Springfield, Missouri; and 88.7 FM in Canton, Ohio. He has been a speaker at conferences, U.S. Military Chaplain Retreats, regional women’s Aglow retreats, First Nations Conferences, College Commencements, as well as numerous ministry outreaches in the United States, Africa, Canada, Hungary, Israel, Russia, and the Ukraine.

Eric is married to the former Barbara Patterson of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Barb teaches Israeli and Messianic Worship Dance and leads the Congregation Zion’s Sake Dance Team. She has led her dance team on several mission trips to Russia and Siberia. Barb has taught dance nationally at the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) Conferences. Eric and Barb have four children and four grandchildren. Eric and Barb currently reside in York County, Virginia.