ABOUT JOHN

Pastor Barnes helped my son walk in the light with God and find hope when life seemed dark and hopeless. My now grown son was diagnosed with Aspergers, ASD, early in his life. While high functioning and very successful even by neurotypical standards, his journey has been stressful, unacquainted, unique, and rewarding. There were times when my son felt he was traveling the road to adulthood alone. That road could feel isolating when bearing the added burden of ASD, even having a supportive family. He always knew and understood that God was somewhere along his journey, but had no idea where to look. As a young boy, he would ask very deep questions about God, Jesus, and the role of religion in his life. On at least 2 occasions, other children’s ministers would ask him to “go to church with mom,” because the questions were too deep for the other children. This created skepticism, rejection, and discouragement. However, Pastor John Barnes was different. I reached out to Pastor Barnes on my son’s behalf in a particularly dark moment. He was immediately available to my son on a spiritual, and intellectual level. Pastor Barnes was very open to exploring the questions that were posed and opened the conversation. These conversations with my son sometimes asked more questions than they answered; but it was that willingness to be open to inquiries and banter that helped my son. Pastor Barnes provided a space that allowed uncomfortable and sometimes unanswerable, challenging queries. He also met my son where he was... As a young man with ASD, having someone in your life who meets you where you are and accepts you wholly, gives hope. Having hope, understanding, and acceptance has fully given my son the confidence to become very active in his college congregation. He knows now that life’s journey can be dark, by is reminded that God provides the light. Pastor John helped my son know where to look for that light.