By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Bart Barber, pastor of a rural Texas church who rose to become the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president, will give the chapel address at Campbellsville University Wednesday, Sept. 13.
The university’s chapel service will be held in Ransdell Chapel, located at 401 N. Hoskins Ave. in Campbellsville, and will get underway at 10 a.m.
According to his biography, God saved Barber at the age of six, and Barber was called into ministry at the age of 11. From there, he preached his first sermon at age 15 and began pastoring his first church while he was still in high school.
“It is an honor to have President Bart Barber speak at Campbellsville University,” Dr. Joseph Hopkins, president of Campbellsville University, said. “Dr. Barber is a minister, scholar and leader who has devoted his life to sharing the Good News of Christ.
“We are grateful for his leadership of the SBC and proud to host him as our guest.”
Barber has served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, since 1999.
In June 2022, during the SBC’s Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., Barber was elected the 65th president of the Southern Baptist Convention. During the convention’s Annual Meeting earlier this year in New Orleans, Barber was re-elected to a second term as president.
“We are excited to host Dr. Bart Barber in Ransdell Chapel. Dr. Barber brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that our students can learn and grow from,” Jamie Lawrence, executive director of ministry and church outreach, said.
Born in Lake City, Ark., and the son of an entrepreneur and homemaker, Barber was baptized at Bethabara Baptist Church near Lake City. The summer before his senior year, Barber entered his first pastoring position at New Hope Baptist Church in nearby Black Oak, Ark.
In 1988, as a National Merit Scholar, Barber went to Waco, Texas, to attend Baylor University on a scholarship. There, he crossed paths with a sophomore who was serving as director of the freshman Sunday School class Barber joined – Tracy Brady. The two were married in 1992.
Barber completed his Bachelor of Arts at Baylor, majoring in the University Scholars program with an emphasis in Greek and Hebrew. As a college senior, Barber stepped into the role of pastor at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Texas.
He later assumed the pastorate of Mill Creek Church in Mill Creek, Okla. During this time, Barber commuted for two years to the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife then moved to Royal City, Texas, with Trinity Baptist Church calling Barber as pastor.
Barber graduated in 1996 with the Advanced Standing MDiv with Biblical Languages.
In 1997, Barber was led back to his home church in Lake City. The pastor of First Baptist Church there left to serve with the International Mission Board in Zambia. At the same time, Barber’s father was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and given six months to live.
Barber stepped in as interim pastor at First Baptist and worked bi-vocally for the family business during his father’s illness and death; Tracy completed her Master of Science in Engineering at Arkansas State University.
After returning to Texas and stepping in as pastor at First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, Barber enrolled in Ph.D. studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, majoring in Church History and minoring in Theology. He completed his degree in 2006. During this time, they welcomed two children, Jim and Sarah, into their home.
Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations.
Chapels can be viewed on YouTube by searching “Campbellsville University Chapel Playlist.” Chapels can also be found on the Campbellsville University Facebook page.
Barber and his wife have two children, Jim and Sarah.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.