Eric Folkerth is a minister, musician, author and blogger.
He is Senior Pastor of Kessler Park UMC United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Previously, he was pastor at Northaven UMC in Dallas for seventeen years.
Eric loves to write on topics of spirituality, social justice, music/art and politics. The entries on this blog reflect that diversity of interests.
His passion for social justice goes beyond mere words. Eric was arrested at the White House, defending immigrants and “The Dreamers;” and he’s officiated at same sex weddings.
Eric was the 2017 recipient of the prestigeous Kuchling Humanitarian Award from Dallas’ Black Tie Dinner. (Human Rights Campaign)
Eric has led or co-led hundreds of persons on mission trips to build houses and bring medical care around the globe, to places such as Mexico, Haiti, Russia, Guatemala, and Nepal. He is proud of have shephereded Highland Park UMC's construction of ten Habitat for Humanity homes, (and one Community Center) and helped forge an alliance with Habitat that led to the construction of 100 homes in Dallas, housing thousands of people.
His wife, Justice Dennise Garcia, has 20 years experience as a state district judge and appelate justice in North Texas.
First elected in 2004, she was the first Latina ever elected to a Dallas County state district bench, and she she left that position whe was the longest currently serving district judge.
In 2020 Dennise Garcia was a elected as a Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals for Texas. She is currently running to be Chief of the 5th District Court of Appeals in the 2024 cycle.
They have the world’s best daughter, Maria, who is a practicing professional counselor in Dallas.
Find links to Eric’s music-related websites, at the top of this site’s navigation menu.
My longtime friend, Sheri Bylander has produced and directed a marvelous documentary that I hope you’ll check out. It’s called “Homestrech” and it tells the story of two groups –prisoners and outcast horses– and the hopeful things that happen when they get together. Here’s what the website says about it: Homestretch documents the mutual rehabilitation […]
In my shameless efforts to stay hip and current, I thought I’d let you all know I’ve joined Twitter. I’ve also joined Facebook. As I said when I joined Myspace, this probably marks the moment when both of these things become officially un-hip. Which, of course, has been an un-hip way to describe un-hip things […]
Several weeks ago, I blogged about “the girl in the picture” from the Vietnam War, and the improbable story of how she’s overcome her hatred with a powerful and deep forgiveness. Days after I posted the blog, I saw a news item about Joseph Dwyer, and I’ve been haunted by his story ever since. Like […]
Randy Pausch died yesterday. It was totally an expected event, as he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. He was 47-years-old, and leaves two small children and a loving wife. And it was his incredible gift to them that ended up inspiring the world. If you have not heard Randy’s gift, you must –you absolutely must— […]
Hey Everybody: Hope you’re finding ways to stay cool during this “hottest July on record.” One great way would be to come to our Connections Band show this Sunday night. How about THAT for a segue? Did you know, btw, that the etymology of “segue” comes the music world? It was originally used to describe […]
Every so often, I find one of the “The I Believe” podcasts that is so compelling that I just have to pass it along to you. That happened yesterday, as I was driving along listening to an episode of the great NPR series. What came up on the iPod was the incredible story of Kim […]
Job, the guy from the Old Testament, stopped by the house the other day for a visit. He looked good for somebody pushing 2,500-years-old. We had a nice chat. I wish I’d turned on the tape recorder in time, but I didn’t think about that quickly enough. However, I’m pretty sure I can recall the […]
Charles Gaby is one of my best soul friends. He’s written a new song called “The Declaration” that’s up on YouTube. I’d love for you to give it a listen. He’s also written a “pledge” I want you to know about. Here’s the video: As I mentioned, Charles has been a soul friend for a […]
Went back to the Gulf Coast again this week, for a third mission trip in as many years. This one was with our youth. And we’ve took some short cell phone videos that we’ve posted as vlogs for your enjoyment. Here you go: Please visit Eric’s original blog here: http://www.wheneftalks2.blogspot.com/
Musical credits: David Wilcox: “Heart Shaped Medallion” from the CD, “Home Again” Tommy Emmanuel: “Since We Met” from the CD, “Only” Pierce Pettis: “You Are Family” from the CD, “Chase the Bufallo” Political Ad Music: Ron Bobbitt, Piano Compositions Dixie Chicks: “The Long Way” from the CD, “Taking the Long Away Around” Indigo Girls: “Free […]
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