Ron Eckberg was born and raised in Walnut, Illinois. He is a 1968 graduate of Walnut High School and a 1990 graduate of Judson College. Throughout high school and his early adulthood, he pursued his life-long passion for music, forging a successful career as a night club entertainer.

After giving his life to Jesus Christ in 1977, he continued to pursue his passion, singing in churches, at conferences, camps, and retreats throughout the United States.

In 1988, he accepted the call to pastor Walnut Community Bible Church, a church he and his wife, Judy, helped plant in their hometown. He pastored Walnut Community Bible Church for 15 years, leaving in September of 2003 to become an Area Director with Youth for Christ ministering to teens in the Bureau Valley School District.

Pastor Ron accepted the call to become the pastor of Erie Evangelical Free Church in October of 2005, and officially began his pastorate on January 1, 2006.

He and Judy have been married for 36 years and have five grown sons: Matthew, Jeremy, Joel, Jonathan, and Timothy,  two daughters-in-law, Michelle (Matthew) and Carrie (Joel); and two wonderful grandchildren, Allison and Tyler (Matthew and Michelle).