Reverend Eric D. Barksdale, the firstborn of Bettye and the late Clifford Barksdale, is a second-generation native Washingtonian. He was licensed to preach and ordained to the Gospel ministry by the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Washington, DC, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. David Durham. After accepting his call to the Gospel ministry, he prepared himself by attending the Washington Bible College, Lanham, MD majoring in Christian Education with an emphasis in pastoral theology.

Reverend Barksdale is sought after as a preacher, teacher, lecturer and retreat leader. He has preached and taught across the United States, the Philippines, Africa and the Caribbean. Reverend Barksdale served as a former President of the National Capital Baptist Convention of Washington, DC and Vicinity, the State Convention to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Rev. Barksdale is actively involved in local and national, religious and civic bodies, including:

• Missionary Baptist Minister’s Conference of Washington, DC and Vicinity
• Four Corners International Missions
• Clergy and Business Partnership of Prince Georges County, Maryland
• United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) of Prince Georges County, Maryland

In May of 1996, Reverend Barksdale was called to serve as Acting Pastor of the St. Charles Baptist Church, Washington, DC. In August of that same year, he was elected as the second pastor in the history of the Church. During his tenure at St. Charles, Reverend Barksdale has implemented ministries to meet the comprehensive needs of the total individual that allows each disciple to serve the Lord to the best of their ability. He has also implemented a ministry called SOCK (So Others Can Know) to help and aid Pastors and Churches in the areas of Evangelism, Discipleship and Christian Education.

He has been married since July 1977 to the former Pamela D. Young of Washington, DC and they are the blessed parents of two adult children: one son, DaRel and grandson, Braeden; and one daughter, Dainnese. His life verse is found in Philippians 1:20 which says, “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”