PASTOR JIM BARNES
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I enjoy spending time in the outdoors. I love to fish, hunt deer and turkey. Sometimes you will catch one of my daughters out in the blind with him. I also enjoy reading books, especially ones related to theology, preaching, and pastoral ministry.
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MY testimony
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.
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.