In July 2020, Grace United Reformed welcomed Rev. Doug Barnes as Minister of the Word & Sacraments.
Pastor Barnes and his wife, Grace, met at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. They became close friends while working on the college newspaper, and married in 1995. Grace is the second greatest blessing Doug has experienced in this life, right after the grace of God in Jesus Christ! When he and Grace married, they were members of a Reformed Presbyterian congregation. Later, they joined a United Reformed Church, whose members generously supported the Barnes family while Doug studied to prepare for the ministry.
Ministry wasn’t Pastor Barnes’ original plan. He graduated from Geneva College as a writing major and worked for about four years as a newspaper reporter. For another year, he divided his time between freelance writing and working as a roofer. But the Lord kept prompting his heart to prepare for the ministry, leading him to enroll at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, IN. He graduated in 2004. Pastor Barnes previously served the saints at Covenant United Reformed Church in Pella, IA, and Hills United Reformed Church in Hills, MN.
As a child, Pastor Barnes didn’t even know what Reformed theology was, but when college professors introduced him to the writings of John Calvin, Klaas Schilder, and other outstanding Reformed theologians, he was hooked! It was such a blessing to see how the biblical accounts reveal the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption and the fulfillment of His covenant promises!
While not in the office, Pastor Barnes enjoys running, canoeing, hunting, shooting, and home and auto projects. If there are tools involved, he’s probably interested! He also loves to read – a common affliction among pastors. But one of his all-time loves is being outside, where he can enjoy God’s creation.
God has blessed Doug and Grace with six children. The youngest two, Joanna and Jesse, live at home with them in Middleville, along with Doug’s mother, Loretta.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Barnes with your questions, or if you just need to talk! He can be reached by telephone at 269-331-7120, by email at rev.doug.barnes@gmail.com, or via Facebook.