 Allan & Edna Barr |
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Allan & Edna Barr |
ATLANTA, Georgia—Allan Barr, superintendent of the Southeast district, was born in 1944 in Dayton, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati for several years. He met his wife, Edna, in Texas in 1965. They were married in 1968 in Cincinnati.
In 1968, the Barrs moved to Pasadena to attend Ambassador College. Al graduated from Ambassador in 1970. He was hired by the church and sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as an assistant pastor for six years. “During the six years in St. Louis, I served under four different pastors, ” Barr recounted.
Barr was transferred back to Pasadena for a year’s sabbatical (1976 to 1977). In 1977, he was sent to pastor the Chicago, Illinois, Southside church. “The Chicago Southside church was a wonderful first assignment for a young pastor. The Southside members were loving toward my family and me.”
In 1985, Barr and his family were transferred to Miami, Florida. “The Miami church was an exciting church to pastor. I learned many vital lessons for ministry in Miami. One of my greatest challenges was helping our members recover from Hurricane Andrew.”
In 1993, he and his family were transferred to Atlanta (1993 to present). “I learned to preach and teach the new covenant in Atlanta. I praise God for the members in the Atlanta congregation. Their response to the new covenant messages was wonderful and amazing.”
In 1996, Barr was asked to serve as the district superintendent for the Southeast district. “I believe we are living in the most exciting time in the history of the Worldwide Church of God.
“We see Jesus transforming lives and congregations. We see Jesus transforming our youths. It’s a wonderful blessing to see what God is doing in our fellowship. I thank our God for the privilege to serve during this transformation.”
Barr’s philosophy for personal ministry is: “It’s not about us; it’s all about him. We were created to worship and serve him forever.”
Al and Edna had five children and two sons-in-law: Joanna and her husband, Kevin, Susanna (died in 1996), Jonathan, Leeanna and Pamela and her husband, James; and two grandchildren, Nathan and Kayla.
“God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, who loves the Lord, and five children who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Following are the Southeast district churches and pastors.
Anniston and Roanoke, Alabama: Don and Lana Johnson.
Athens and Stone Mountain, Georgia: Howard and Jacqueline Shadoan.
Atlanta, Georgia: Charles and Debbie Young.
Birmingham and Good Hope, Alabama: Bob and Ruth Miller.
Buford, Georgia: David and Tina Whited, and Terry and Susie Cohron.
Columbus, Georgia: Larry and Cynthia Oglesby.
Douglasville, Georgia: Don and Joanna Madlena.
Dublin, Georgia: Stanley and Eneida Kilgore.
Greenwood, Mississippi: John Ross.
Jackson, Meridian and Hattiesburg, Mississippi: John and Cathy Novick.
Kennesaw, Georgia, and Fort Payne, Alabama: Tom and Elizabeth Mahan.
Macon, Georgia: Frank and Sharon Stephens, and Willie and Jacquelyn Taylor.
Monroeville, Alabama: Johnnie and Jennifer Hall, and Phil and Saundra Nichols.
Montgomery Alabama: Arthur and Eula Carlisle; James and Ruth Lewis.
Opelika, Alabama: Annette Winston, pastoral team leader.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama: John and Wink Cooper; Larry and Vicki Pritchett.
Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2004