The Rev. Erik Khoobyarian was born and raised in San Jose, California, and from a young age participated in the life of the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos. Prior to becoming a pastor, Erik obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University and began practicing law in California. Primarily a civil litigation attorney, Erik enjoyed working with his clients on complex matters where he walked alongside them through difficult challenges. Concurrent with his legal work, he was active in church as a ruling elder, youth leader, and mission trip leader. Erik was also elected to serve in the San Jose Presbytery and Synod of the Pacific.

When it comes to church life, Erik’s passion has been building connections between people. This was important to him in coordinating church gatherings, both large and small, and especially gathering people around a table for a meal, discussion, or, even better, both. Erik also values the connections that happen when people get away from their daily lives through participation in retreats, camps, and mission trips.

Erik made a career shift and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary after which he was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament by the San Jose Presbytery and installed as the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs in the suburbs of Chicago where he served until joining Pinnacle in 2022 as the Executive Associate Pastor. In line with his commitment to retreat and camp ministry, Erik currently serves on the Board of Directors of Zephyr Point Presbyterian Camp & Conference Center in Lake Tahoe. Erik also serves on the Board of Directors of Amor Ministries (an organization with which he has participated in the building of more than 30 homes in Mexico over the last 25 years).

Erik enjoys camping, travel, photography, cooking, coffee, watching ice hockey (especially the San Jose Sharks), and spending time with friends, family, and his two cats, Milo and Jack.