My Conversion I was born in 1969, and born again on June 11, 1978. After setting through a series of revival services at a local church I asked my dad how to be saved. He showed me passages from the book of Romans and led me in the sinner’s prayer. I was only eight at the time, but understood enough about Jesus to know I wanted to follow Him the rest of my life.
My Call to the ministry I began feeling a call on my life when I was just a teenager. Even though I wasn’t sure exactly what God wanted me to do, I did know that God had plans for my life if I was willing to let Him use me. After high school, I attended West Virginia State College as a Communications major. During my sophomore year in college I met my wife, Tabatha. We were married on November 22, 1989. She was, and still is, a wonderful Christian lady. Soon after this I gave up college due to overwhelming marital responsibilities. I believe God blessed me with a Christian wife so that she could be an instrumental part of my calling. After entering the work force I slipped out of church and away from God. I was still a “Sunday morning Christian”, but I was not as close to God as I once was. Satan was telling me that I was doing my “Christian duty” by just going to church on Sunday mornings. It was my wife that kept going and eventually convinced me that I could not turn my back on God. Around the summer of 1994, I began feeling God calling me, not only to draw closer to Him, but also in to the ministry. I fought God’s calling until the spring of 1995 when I rededicated my life to Him. I announced my call into the ministry on May 28, 1995. I preached my first sermon on June 11, 1995 at Hurricane Baptist Church, Clio, West Virginia. One teen came to the altar that night to be saved. I seen that as a stamp of approval from God. I also found out, ten years later, that another girl, that was 10 years old, had went home that night crying, under conviction, and asked her dad how to be saved. She told him that, “That Tim Barnhouse said something that made me want to be saved.” What a blessing it is to hear of stories like this and to know that we all make differences in people’s lives, although we may be unaware of it. In retrospect, I regret not answering God’s call as soon as I began feeling it. I cannot imagine not being a preacher and not being able to lead people to the one that can change their lives. I thank God for giving me this chance and privilege to serve him
More about me
Preparation for the work of Ministry After surrendering to the call of ministry for my life, I began preparing for all that God wanted me to be and do. I grew up in a Christ centered home. We would have regular Bible study, and prayer. My father was a Baptist minister and I remember setting in on discussions with him and his friends from time to time. So I was fortunate to have a good theological foundation upon which to build. It seems the more I know about Christ the more I realize I don’t know enough.
This is a list of my Christian education: 1) Sunday school classes (from nursery to present) 2) Youth group 3) Different correspondence classes while I was a child/teen 4) Bible study classes/ small group Bible study 5) West Virginia State College; Communications major 6) A few classes from Andersonville Baptist Seminary (I didn’t find the classes challenging enough) 7) West Virginia School of Christian studies- 8) After Graduation from WV School of Christian Studies, I will then attend Palmer University (formerly Eastern Theological Seminary), through their extension program. (Hopefully, beginning fall, 2009) 9) Last, but not least, my own personal studies and experiences. I am a scholar at heart, and will always have a thirst for more education.
1980-1984 Baptized and joined membership at Hardcamp Baptist Church, Walton WV
1984-1989 Member of Riverview Baptist Church, Falling Rock WV. Also senior high teacher, Youth group president, assistant Choir director, and interim trustee.
1989-1997 Member of Hurricane Baptist Church, Clio WV. Also junior high teacher, and Youth counselor. Licensed to preach.
1997 Interim Youth Pastor, Harper Memorial Church, Harmony, WV
1998-Jan, 2000 Member of Pinch Baptist Church, Pinch, WV. 1999 Temporary Youth Pastor at Canaan Baptist Church, Charleston, WV Jan. 2000- Oct. 2001 Senior Pastor of Big Otter Baptist Church, Ivydale, WV January 20, 2001 Ordained by Big Otter Baptist Church and the Elk Valley Association. Aug. 2001-Aug 2004 Moderator of the Elk Valley Association. April 2002- April 2006 Youth pastor of Sutton Baptist Church, Sutton WV April 2006 - present Pastor of North Mill Creek Baptist Church, Petersburg WV.
My life verse... Mat 6:33 (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
My future plans... After prayerfully considering the future I beleive God desires for me to finish my classes through the WVBC School of Christian Studies... (should be accomplished by Oct. 2008) Then work on my M.DIV through Palmer (via extension program at Ripley WV) this will be about 4 yrs of every 6 weeks going to Ripley for a week of intense study... It will be hard, but I know God wants it done... so I am going to do it.
All the while pastoring, and loving God, and loving others...
OK, that is about all!
The Purpose of this Blog
This blog was set up as a way to express myself. Not to express the thoughts of others in my life. Not the thoughts of my wife, Not the thoughts of my children, Not the thoughts of my friends, Not the thoughts of fellow church members, Not the thoughts of fellow church leaders, Not the thoughts of our church, North Mill Creek Baptist Church. This blog is set up to reflect my thoughts. That is why it is titled, "Tiny's Thoughts" You may find religious thoughts, political thoughts, off the wall thoughts, but they are all MY thoughts. Things I find funny, may not be the same things you do. The stands I feel are worth my time, may not be the same stands you would take. The candidates I endorse, may not be the same candidates you would endorse.In other words, If you come here to read, you are reading MY thoughts.And if you don't agree with me, don't get offended. Realize that what you are reading are my opinions. Nothing more nothing less, and your opinions are just as important in this life as mine are. Just leave me a comment.
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