Title Change...

Okay, for the past 17 years I have been able to call myself a Youth Pastor.  Over the years it has been funny to hear some of the replies of this comment:
"Oh, a Youth Pastor!"
"Okay, so when are you going to be a real Pastor."
"What does that mean?"
Honestly one time before I spoke to a group of people they introduced me as,
"...John Barnes a Youth Pastor, going to school to learn to be a Pastor."

Whatever perspective people had of me, ends today!   Labels are overrated and usually end up driving us to meet someone else's perception of what they think we should be/do.

From now on I am known as John Barnes, redeemed sinner!
When embracing John Barnes, redeemed sinner, at least I will be able to give definition to the title instead of others defining it for me.

In all reality, I walk away knowing that it has been a fun ride and God has richly blessed us with students, parents and leaders that have totally transformed us into who we are.  I am forever thankful.

In His peace and love,


John Barnes
redeemed sinner

Another HUGE Day

Do you believe that our God is huge?

Do you believe that the same God who split the RED SEA in the Old Testament for the reason of rescuing the Israelites from the hands of slavery is still involved in miracles today?

If you don't, let me share simple story within pictures with captions...

Ava at in Haiti (2009)

Ava at Coder Elementary (2011)

God is huge.

God is still actively involved in miracles.

God wants to use you and me!

12 Years

Happy Anniversary to the most beautiful woman in the entire world.

As I sit back and rethink the way I felt 12 years ago in anticipation of the "wedding day" that was before us, I thought that I could never love Christi more than I did that day.  I thought the intense emotions that were running through my soul could never increase.  But oh was I wrong...

The emotion that I had 12 years ago was based upon an intense feeling.  Over the past 12 years this feeling was planted in a fertile soil that has bloomed into a true love that is perpetually blossoming in the uniqueness of who God has created us to be as a couple.  

Because of the uniqueness of the last 12 years, Christi and I have learned that
Love is patient when we are impatient,
Love is kind when we are unkind,
Love isn't envious when we are,
Love doesn't boast when we do,
Love is not proud but humble.

Simply put, God is Love!  Christi, the way you have chosen to love me is a true picture of that love.

Christi I love you very much!  Happy Anniversary beautiful!

My heart rejoices and is in anguish at the same time!

This was a boy who was found outside of Heartline Mission in Port au Prince yesterday morning.  His mom/caretaker had left him on the side of the road.  Fortunately Beth found him and brought him to Heartline.  My heart rejoices for this little boy but at the same time is in anguish for the ones that are never found!  

There may be doors opening to help this little boy...please begin to pray with us on these doors being opened and the softening of a donor's heart in giving towards building an orphanage for these little kids.

The front porch view...

A look at our new home...

F...E...A...R...to wisdom!

In the Bible there is a book called "Proverbs" or truly "sentences of wisdom."  Today I was reading in the "sentences of wisdom" and it was speaking of wisdom as a person.

Some of the characteristics of wisdom as Proverbs declares are:

-  truth 

-  justice

-  prudence 

-  anti evil 

-  anti pride and arrogance 

I have to be completely honest; FEAR of GOD has always been a tough one for me to swallow.  That is until I had an understanding that "fear" really means reverence or respect.

So how does one get wisdom?  In Proverbs 9:10 states, "The F...E...A...R of God is the beginning of wisdom."    When revere/respect God we are living within wisdom and the characteristics described above.

For our move to Haiti this means in everything!  Right now, Christi and I are in the midst of truly learning what revering God is about. 

Pray that in each step of the way we all learn to revere God in trusting Him with all the outcomes of our everyday life, whether it is our moving to Haiti or maybe for you it is trusting Him with your financial future.

More infectious pictures of Haiti

As you look into the eyes of the children, what do you see?  If you look close enough you will see    how to love, have joy, and how to express a tangible faith that believes when all else has failed!  

The Joy of Haiti is Infectious.

This is a picture of my wife and the direct result of the effect the joy you experience when you visit Haiti.  Do you see that smile!  Wow oh wow, I could not help but share this with you all!