Biography

The Revd Eric Speece began his role as our Rector and Dean as of June 16, 2024, a very special “father’s day” for our parish. Previously served as Senior Pastor at Christ Church, Murrells Inlet, SC. During his time there he preached the Word, administered the sacraments, exalted Jesus, and joyfully walked alongside others as they grew in their faith. Additionally, he established ministries that teach parents how to disciple their children, ministries that care for those who grieve, and established a regular Sunday School program. He strengthened men’s, women’s, and small group ministries while also laying the groundwork for a Care Team and a church plant that will launch within the next year.   

Eric also works for the Ridley Institute where he tutors classes in historical theology and in the Anglican Studies program including “Worship and the Prayer Book Tradition.”  He serves the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas as a member of the Standing Committee. 

Previously, Eric served as music director for Church of the Redeemer in Highwood, IL and Church of the Good Shepherd in Cornelius, NC. In Charlotte, NC, he served as music director, associate pastor, and interim rector of King of Kings Anglican Church before moving to Christ Church.  

Eric began his college career at Belmont University studying audio engineering before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University to complete a degree in philosophy. He moved to Chicago to study at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (at Northwestern University). While at Garrett, he also took several classes at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  His academic studies span the intersection of historical, liturgical, and post-secular theology.  He desires to finish a PhD sometime in the future. 

Eric has a heart for missions having served alongside his wife, Laura, with Campus Crusade (Cru) in Eastern Europe. Together they supported the Jesus Film project in several locations in Croatia and the Czech Republic. They lived in Budapest, Hungary for a year doing student retreats, a summer English Camp, and working with a program called Youth at the Threshold of Life which lectured in Hungarian high schools and universities on Biblical topics of love, sex, identity, and self-worth. It was while serving in Hungary that Eric first began to discern his call to pastoral ministry. 

Eric grew up in the Churches of Christ tradition and spent time in various non-denominational Bible Churches before discovering the beauty of the Anglican tradition. It was in seminary that he attended an Anglican Church for the first time and truly felt at home. It was the beauty of liturgical worship that spoke to his soul and even helped renew his faith.  

Eric loves music. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has been in music ministry for over 20 years. Ten of those years were spent living in Nashville, TN where he was privileged to play with many award-winning musicians. Laura is also an accomplished singer and pianist who holds a degree in music education with an emphasis in classical voice. Laura works as a birth professional; she is a doula, childbirth educator, and runs an online wellness school that certifies pregnancy wellness coaches. She is also currently in nursing school with a goal of working in labor & delivery. All of their children are involved in music, the arts, and dancing. Lydia (18) is currently studying psychology at Belmont University. Judah (17) is a graduating senior and will begin his freshman year of college in the fall. Isaac (15), Asher (14), and Esther (11) are excited to join the youth community at Apostles.