Sharp joins West Philadelphia Baptist Church

Eric Sharp has officially stepped into his role as the new pastor at West Philadelphia Baptist Church—God’s House. He began his leadership role on Tuesday, April 1.

A Philadelphia native, Sharp grew up as a member of Grace Baptist Church and graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1996.

In 2004, he married his wife, Amanda. They now have three children: 17-year-old Eli, 14-year-old Evan, and eight-month-old Ella.

“I got saved shortly after we got married,” Sharp said. “Shortly after that, I was doing a Bible study and felt God calling me to preach. I’ve been preaching or teaching every Sunday since.”

Sharp first felt called to preach while studying “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. One lesson focused on Moses and the burning bush, highlighting how God called Moses to a task he didn’t think he could accomplish.

“Through that, I felt it in my spirit—He was saying, ‘Eric, I want you to preach,’” Sharp said. “I didn’t say yes right away, but I didn’t say no—I continued to pray and sought to counsel preachers and pastors. Chris Vowell said, ‘I’ve seen it in you before you saw it in yourself.’”

Sharp began as a pulpit supply pastor, filling in for local churches when they needed a preacher. His first sermon was at Pearl River Community Church on the Choctaw Indian Reservation, stepping in for Pastor Tim Tubby.

“I’ve preached at just about every Baptist church in Neshoba County,” he said.

Having preached at West Philadelphia Baptist Church on and off for nearly a year, Sharp said taking on the role full-time is both exciting and a fresh start. He believes he and the congregation share a vision of becoming the church God intends them to be.

“It’s relaxed and fun—everybody here is connected to everybody,” he said. “Come in and worship as you want to. I like the praise band—it’s not traditional. We don’t have a choir director with a choir and hymn books. We do praise bands with a keyboard, drums, and guitars.”

Sharp hopes to reconnect with former members of the church and personally meet with each current member. His immediate goals include baptizing two people within the next year and expanding the youth ministry.

“I’d like to see this place packed out and full every Sunday,” he said. “I want this to be a community church where everyone is welcome—it already is, but I want the community to know that as well.”

Youth Director Hunter Thrash said the church’s youth are eager to renovate their youth building this summer, and he’s planning local mission work and outreach efforts to invite more young people to attend.

“I really like Eric,” Thrash said. “He teaches out of the Bible and doesn’t chase rabbits or tell a lot of stories—he mainly just preaches, and I really like that. I’ve been coming to this church for 24 years, so it’s been nice to see a change and a different way of preaching.”

Sharp is committed to strengthening the church’s connection with the broader community, making himself available and showing people that he genuinely cares. One of his priorities is forming a relationship with the Philadelphia Fire Department Station 3, located across the street.

For Sharp, the most rewarding part of ministry is seeing the light come on when people realize that Jesus loves them. He also finds joy in watching his own children participate in church, whether by playing the drums or singing on Sundays.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new,” Sharp said. “Let Jesus lead you and guide you—Jesus loves you, and I do too.”

When he’s not preaching, Sharp works as the dietary director at Neshoba General, overseeing the kitchen that provides three daily meals to the county jail, nursing home, and hospital patients.

His hobbies include cooking barbecue and watching the Boston Red Sox.