Name: Daryel Erickson
Graduation Year: 1992
Major: Biblical Literature
Current Position: Assemblies of God Missionary working with Life Publishers and the FireBible projects.
City and State: Springfield, MO
Tell us about your career and what you do now. Most of my working life (1972) I have been in ministry here in the states (11 years as a Christian Education Director 4 churches) and then in 1984 my wife Rachel and I were appointed as Assemblies of God Missionaries to Europe. First we worked at the Bible School near Lisbon, Portugal for 11 years, then I was appointed to be the Global University Regional Director for Europe and we did this ministry from Brussels, Belgium for 11. Then we work from England for 3 years. We came home from Europe in 2009 and we have been working with Global Teen Challenge 5 years, MIR at Trinity Bible College for 3 years and for the last 6 years with Life Publishers, FireBible Project. Most of our ministry has been in the training and preparation of ministers, the development of church leaders and the discipleship of believers. Next year we will celebrate 40 years of Missionary service. My wife Rachel and I have been married 51 years and we have two children and four grandsons.
What is your favorite memory from AGTS? The best memories of AGTS were the great classes and teachers.
How did AGTS help you identify/develop your calling? AGTS helped prepare me to teach at a much higher level of sharing God’s Word.
How did your experience at AGTS prepare you for life after graduation? I worked on my Master’s Degree from AGTS while on the mission field. I appreciated the fact that the seminary had a distance education program so that I could do my degree while working at the college in Portugal. I took most of my classes either my extension (Northwest) or by directive reading. This was very helpful.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce? Get as much preparation as you can before you begin your work, but also don’t be afraid to continue your education while you are working.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from AGTS? What kind of education do they have? Their discipline to study and apply themselves. Obviously, their attitude toward their studies, their work and people in general. How are they applying God’s call to their lives and how are they serving others in and outside their work. Is their profession not just a job but is it a ministry.