Our Story
Eric Gilbert is the founding and senior pastor of 3trees Church and has spent nearly 30 years preaching the gospel, developing leaders, and building the local church.
A lifelong Kentuckian, Eric founded 3trees in Russell Springs in 2000. Today, 3trees serves communities across Kentucky through locations in Russell Springs, Columbia, Campbellsville, and Louisville. His ministry is driven by a simple conviction: everyone needs Jesus. His preaching is marked by biblical truth, Spirit-empowered living, and a passion to form mature disciples of Jesus.
Eric holds a Doctor of Ministry in Church Ministry and Leadership from Oral Roberts University and a master’s degree in Practical Theology. His doctoral research developed a Spirit-empowered, teaching-centered model of discipleship for local churches. For this work, Eric became the inaugural recipient of the Younghoon Lee Scholar’s Award, named in honor of the senior pastor of the world’s largest church, Yoido Full Gospel Church, recognizing excellence among graduating doctoral candidates.
Beyond 3trees, Eric works with pastors, churches, and organizations in leadership development, organizational structure, branding, and church growth strategy.
Eric and his wife, Mandy, are high school sweethearts who have served alongside one another throughout their ministry. Mandy has been integral to 3trees since its beginning, providing leadership in worship, and communications.
They are the parents of Natalie, an entrepreneur working in creative design and videography, and Dawson, a collegiate basketball player and Finance major at Anderson University in South Carolina. Away from ministry, Eric enjoys hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and time with his family.
