OUR PASTOR

 

Pastor Reginald A. Barnes, Sr., D.Min.
 

    Dr. Barnes was born to the union of James and Helen Barnes in Washington, D.C. Educated in North Carolina, Dr. Barnes graduated from Smithfield-Selma Senior High School.  He obtained a B.S. Degree in Instrumental Music Education from NC A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.
    
    While working for Wake County Public Schools, Dr. Barnes acknowledged the call to Preaching Ministry.  Afterward, Dr. Barnes enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. While enrolled at Shaw, Dr. Barnes served as Youth Pastor for First African Baptist Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina in fulfillment of his supervised ministry requirement.  Dr. Barnes also served as Student Body President of the Divinity School for two consecutive terms.

    Dr. Barnes graduated from Shaw in May of 2000.  In June of 2003, the Lord called Dr. Barnes to New Bern, North Carolina to shepherd the Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church.  During his tenure at Guildfield, Dr. Barnes was instrumental in initiating various community-based outreach ministries.  He founded Activist for Community Transformation Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit entity.  

    Through “Activist”, Dr. Barnes facilitated HIV/Aids and STD counseling, testing, and education to Craven, Jones and Pamilco Counties.  Dr. Barnes’ aim is to arm God’s people with sound biblical teaching and preaching, so they are equipped to live in a manner that reflects Christian Discipleship. His motto is: “You can’t expect people to do better until they know better!”

    Dr. Barnes earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. 
     

    In addition to his pastoral service, Dr. Barnes served as President of the Eastern District Union, of the Old Eastern Missionary Baptist Association.  He also served on the Executive Board of the Old Eastern Missionary Baptist Association as well. Dr. Barnes currently serves as the Assistant Recording Secretary of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

    In August 2019, Dr. Barnes began his new assignment as Pastor-Elect of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmington, N.C.  ”The church where nobody is a nobody and everybody is somebody.” 

    In addition to his pastoral accomplishments, Dr. Barnes is a respected and sought after preacher.  He has preached throughout the United States and abroad.

 

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