When Adam Wilson announced in March that he and Jenn and Selah would be moving to North Carolina to enroll in seminary full-time, we knew we’d miss them immediately. We also celebrated with them in their new faith adventure. Simultaneously, we began to pray that God would guide us in our search process for a new college minister.
Erin Petersen approached us almost immediately, communicating an interest and desire to help with our college ministry. Erin and Andrew are Northstar members. Erin has served in the college ministry as a small group leader, and Andrew serves on our worship team. After several meetings and a lot of prayer, we have invited her to serve on staff as the Interim College Minister! We are grateful for how God has led and provided for this time.
Erin was born and lived in Pittsburgh, PA and also resided in the suburbs of Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. She is known for her quick wit, compassion and intuitive insight as well as being a great listener. Erin loves fitness and exercise and excelled in Soccer and Lacrosse in high school and college. Her major at Messiah College was Exercise Science with a minor in Marriage and Family Counseling. After graduating from college, Erin worked in the “fitness industry” as as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and manager of several adult and a children’s fitness facilities.
Erin married Andrew when she was 23 years old after a long-distance courting relationship. The Petersens have since been blessed with three children: Harper, Finley, and Scout. They moved several years ago to Blacksburg to be near family and fell in love with the community and Virginia Tech.
Erin is excited to channel her abilities, compassion, and love for the Lord and college students in service to the Virginia Tech and Northstar communities. Erin is dedicated to helping others fully understand and enjoy God’s abounding grace as they overcome the various trials and tribulations that are inherent in young adulthood. One of her life verses is James 1:3: “Count it all joy when you come in contact with various trials and tribulations.”
On a personal note, Erin enjoys working out, reading, eating at Chipotle and drinking Skinny Caramel Macchiatos at Starbucks. One of her favorite books is What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Phillip Yancey.