MCI Director, Licensed Professional Counselor

Eric Gutierrez was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Liberty University in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2012. Since graduating with his undergraduate degree, Eric has been actively involved in local church ministry, serving families, young adults, youth, and children with a passion for helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.

Eric served for 11 years as an associate pastor before God opened additional doors of ministry in Christian education and counseling. He spent nearly two years working with children in grades K–12 who struggled with emotional and behavioral disorders at a private day school in Roanoke. In the fall of 2013, Eric joined Roanoke Valley Christian Schools as the Director of Recruitment and Advancement, where he served for more than ten years. During that same season, he also served for over 11 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor in a Christian counseling practice, providing biblical and clinical care to individuals, couples, and families through a wide variety of life’s challenges.

In October 2025, Eric answered God’s call to plant a church in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where he currently serves as Lead Pastor. While continuing his counseling ministry, he is passionate about seeing individuals, families, and communities transformed through the hope of the gospel. His experience in both pastoral ministry and professional counseling allows him to provide care that is grounded in biblical truth while informed by sound clinical practice.

Over more than two decades of ministry, counseling, education, and leadership, Eric has developed a passion for helping people navigate difficult seasons of life and experience lasting hope through God’s grace. His primary areas of focus include adolescents and young adults, marriage and family relationships, anxiety, depression, grief, spiritual growth, and personal development. Eric believes meaningful change occurs as people grow in their understanding of God’s Word, develop healthy relationships, and apply practical, biblically based principles to everyday life.

Eric has been married to his wife for over two decades, and together they have five children. Outside of ministry and counseling, Eric enjoys spending time with his family, camping, attending sporting events, and investing in his local community. He has held his ministerial license since 2002 and has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2017. Those who know Eric appreciate his approachable nature, genuine love for people, and the smile that is rarely absent from his face.