Eric Jonathan Lurten

Eric Jonathan Lurten, Independence, Missouri went to meet his Savior and Lord on September 22, 2016. Funeral services will be held at Newcomers Noland Road Chapel on Monday, September 26, 2016, visitation 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with service following. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetary in Independence, Missouri.

Eric was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Eric will be remembered to all who knew him as a person who loved the Lord with all his heart, loved reading his Bible and his daily devotions. He loved to preach the Word of God and share that love with others. He had a sense of humor, a gift of a photographic memory, eating out and going to movies, and he loved singing and listening to music. He was close to his parents, brother and sister and enjoyed every minute he spent with them.

Eric received the call to the Ministry while a sophomore at William Chrisman High School. Eric said, "When in high school, you really don't exactly know about what direction you want your life to be lead in, but on June 6, 1994 God revealed himself to me. I didn't realize it at first, but in the middle of the late, Carl McDonald's History Class, we happened to study the History of Christianity. It was then, I heard God say in Hebrews 11:1-6, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. From then on, the message of Living by Faith changed my life, because you really need to seek God earnestly, and believe that God can and will provide. God has planned something better for me, because it has always been ordained in me to preach God's Word, Live by Faith and bring restoration and renewal to the First Church of God."

Eric graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1996 where he excelled National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Envoy newspaper, and Quill & Scroll Award for Journalism. After high school Eric attended Blue River Community College where he received an Associates of Arts Degree in 2003. He was also a member of the Jacomo Chorale. After graduating from Blue River Community College, Eric attended Faith Bible College where he received a Doctorate Degree in Pastoral Theology in 2005. He also taught classes at Faith Bible College.

Eric was a lifelong member of the Independence First Church of God. Through the years he attended the church, he was an Adult Sunday School teacher, shared devotions during worship services, performed marriage ceremonies, a baby dedication and a funeral service for his uncle. He also was a member of the choir and helped in Vacation Bible School.

Eric was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Cook; paternal grandparents James and Emma Lurten and his cousin, Chris Foley.

He is survived by his parents, Buddy and Linda Lurten; his sister, Glenna Lurten; his brother, Michael Lurten; and his maternal grandmother, Ruby Cook. He is also survived by his aunts, Brenda and Ray Stagner; Glenda and John Foley and Ellen Sparks. Eric is also survived by his cousins, Nick Foley and family, Whitney, Cody, Addison and Ella. Missy, Chad, Caleb and Hannah Nepple; Angie, Todd, Zack and Dani Gregory and Landon Wirtz. He is also survived by his sister, Stacy Coulsell and niece, Hailey Coulsell. Eric also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Church of God, 220 East Elm Street, Independence, Missouri.