Testamony
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The following are excerpts from an interview with Pastor Barrie MacArthur:)


 
Interviewer: To start, I’d like to get a quick background on you in a short summary form, you know, birthplace, highlights, how you got into the ministry etc.
Pastor Barrie: Oh, man…let’s see. Well, I was born in Torrance, California but most of my childhood memories are from growing up in Arizona. After my 7th grade year, my family moved to Sioux City, Iowa where I finished my education through college. More importantly, during this time, at the leading of my high school sweetheart Gwyn, I came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Gwyn and I married and, after finishing college, we moved to Phoenix, Arizona to raise our family. I can honestly say that marrying my wife was the best decision that I have made - we’ve been happily married for over 26 years!!
        After moving to Phoenix, Gwyn searched for a church where we could worship and volunteer. We became members of a local congregation and as volunteers there we played in the bands and taught classes and when there weren’t any materials to use, we made crafts and curriculum and figured out games and teaching tools. Also, we volunteered with other organizations doing things like working Christian Concerts and coordinating groups to attend events. Overall, Gwyn and I are mostly self-taught, jumping into places and figuring out how to do things. I believe all of this was training for our future in ministry.
        My wife’s prophetic ministry has been going on for many years and, following a prophetic word, we and four other families started a home church called Open House Fellowship in 1997. Of course, during all of this we were going through the highlights and struggles that all families do, raising our son and daughter. Our daughter plays guitar for the fellowship and is in college, and we have a grandson by our son and his wifie!

Interviewer: You grew up in Arizona which is a pretty diverse state, what do you remember?
Pastor Barrie: I remember really liking the Flagstaff area and the climate; I still do but I also remember many hardships while growing up. Interesting that you used the word diverse…the way the word diversity is used in our culture today pretty well describes my childhood.
        Early on, growing up in Flagstaff (Arizona) most of my pals were either black or Navajo; one of the girls, she was Havasupi. Anyway, in 4th grade or so they did some redistricting and I made some white friends at the new school where I eventually landed. It was weird though, when my parents and I moved back to Iowa after my 7th grade year, I actually remember going through like, sort of a culture shock. The neighborhood and school were mostly white. Culture shock - I couldn’t greet friends with ‘yateeh’ anymore - bummer! You get used to it after awhile, but still…
        Now days, in my corporate job, we have a great mix of cultures. In fact, my work team includes folks that are Vietnamese, Hispanic, Assyrian, Romanian, and African-American just to name a few. My prayer partners and friends reflect this also. We all have a pretty good time together because we respect each other. Diversity is cool and race shouldn’t matter. And I believe that walking with God, communicating, and respect for each other are the keys to getting along.

Interviewer: You mentioned a corporate job, what is it that you do?
Pastor Barrie: I’m a Senior Technician & Shift Leader at a world-class avionics manufacturer. Not only do I get to help others, I get to experiment, test, troubleshoot, and repair some pretty cool aircraft electronics equipment that includes Lightning Detection systems and cockpit CRT based indicators.

Interviewer: That sounds interesting, what kind of education do you have to have to be a minister and do that kind of electronics job?
Pastor Barrie: Do you want the whole thing (laughing)?
Interviewer: Sure, why not?
Pastor Barrie: OK, I’ve been an ordained minister since 1997, and my present education background includes an assortment of credits in special interest business and astronomy classes. I have an AAS in Electronics Engineering, a Bachelor in Prayer from CCoJ College of Prayer, an Advanced Certificate in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University. [I now also have a Bachelor Degree in Christian Leadership from Grand Canyon University and am a Certified Professional Life Coach through Antioch University, Seattle]!

Interviewer: Wow, all that and I’ve heard that you’re a pilot too!
Pastor Barrie: Yep, that’s true! I got my pilot’s license when I was in High School but haven’t flown for quite awhile!

Interviewer: Earlier you spoke about Christian music and bands. Are you musically inclined?
Pastor Barrie: Heh, heh, well that depends on who you talk to! I think my wife is more musically inclined then I am; she and I are both drummers and we met in High School band. I played for many years with a couple of different praise & worship bands that led the services at a local church. One of the bands did some recording, touring and even a few fly dates supporting a pastor who was speaking at conferences and teaching churches about entertainment evangelism. Lotsa fun but lotsa work too!
        As for Christian Concerts, we have done everything from providing crews, runners, lighting and general production work to promoting. We’ve met a lot of the artists and seen many fantastic things happen when these people minister to the crowds. It’s all quite exciting!!

Interviewer: Lighting for Christian concerts?
Pastor Barrie: Yeah, I design theatrical and concert lighting shows, set up and run the equipment for bands, churches and so on - locally.
Interviewer: Who is MacGyver?
Pastor Barrie: (Smiles) I've been called that sometimes...the name comes from a 1980's TV show. I guess sometimes I'm relatively handy to have around. A few of my favorite things include a Leatherman tool, gaff tape, WD-40, RTV and aluminum foil - hmmm!
Interviewer: Is there anything you don’t do?!
Pastor Barrie: Yeah, I don’t do sound. Lighting guys don’t do sound (laughs)!

Interviewer: As a pastor, what is the main thing that you want people to know and what is your ministry focus?
Pastor Barrie: One main point is that the Bible is true and it is the baseline for all the decisions that we make and how we should live our lives. The information in the Bible is relevant in today’s culture even as it was in time past, just read Proverbs as an example. The other more important thing is that God’s greatest desire is to have a personal one on one relationship with each of us through His son Jesus because he loves each one of us.
        As for ministry focus, that would be helping people find their God given path by way of the prophetic and also helping people come to a point in their lives where they are praying continually and walking in the Spirit.

Interviewer: Thank you for your time and the interview today!
Pastor Barrie: Absolutely…it was fun!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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