PASTOR JIM BARNES
I was raised in a Christian home on Long Island, New York. Even though my family went to a Presbyterian Church every Sunday, there was still something missing in my life. I didn’t know my purpose in life. When I was nineteen, I decided that the military was the thing I was missing in my life. I thought the discipline and order would be the thing that would change my life. I quickly found out that there was still something missing in my life.
When I was stationed in Hawaii, I was sent to a Navy school. One of my Naval instructors, a man named Scott Collins, invited me to his local church. I started to go to church on a regular basis and I began to read the Bible. While I was there, I realized that I was missing a personal relationship with God. I realized that if I really believed that Jesus died for me then I should live like it. I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life alone in my barracks room in June of 1990. It was shortly after that event that I realized that God had taken away my guilt for the sinful lifestyle I was leading. I began to see my life change. God began to change my goals, dreams, and sinful habits. I joined New Life Baptist Church in Mililani, Hawaii under the leadership of Pastor Ken Heyman of Baptist-Mid Missions. I was baptized in July of 1990. I know that I am saved because I am trusting solely on the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. I see His hand on my life. I know He hears my prayers. After receiving Christ as my Savior, I decided to stay in Hawaii to attend a local Bible college called the International College and Graduate School of Theology. It was during this time that I began to teach the Bible and really enjoy it. The Lord slowly changed my focus in life, and I realized that He wanted me to become a pastor to serve others. In August of 1996, I left Hawaii to go to pursue an M-Div at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. I met my wife Charlene while attending Open Door Baptist Church, while in seminary. We were married on January 3rd, 1998. After graduating seminary, I became the pastor of Cosperville Baptist Church in Wawaka, Indiana. I faithfully served this church for fourteen years before being called to pastor First Baptist Church in Maine, New York in 2016. |
MEET THE BARNES FAMILY
Charlene, Lauren, Kara, Jim, and Hunter
Charlene and I have been married for 26 years. We have two daughters, Kara (21) and Lauren (24).
Charlene is originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She loves to bake, shop, and spend time with her family. She enjoys singing special music and encouraging women to follow Christ with their lives. Lauren enjoys playing guitar for worship when she is home. She is a Graduate student pursing a degree in Athletic Training at Cedarville University. Kara enjoys singing on the worship team when she is home. She is a studying business at Cedarville University and will graduate next Spring. 
Pastor Jim enjoys spending time in the outdoors. He enjoys hunting deer and turkey. Sometimes you will catch one or both of his daughters out in the blind with him. He also enjoys reading books, especially ones related to theology and pastoral ministry. |