Dave Barnett

Listening to Dave Barnett was quite the interesting experience, and I am grateful for it. Dave Barnett’s upbringing cannot be any more different from the common Pentecostal believer, but his journey towards the Holy Spirit is nonetheless inspiring.

Growing up, David Barnett called a local Christian college campus his home. Barnett’s father played a large role in the Christian college, pastoring and teaching, and from young Barnett’s perspective he was always busy and never around. This left Barnett with a bad taste in his mouth about the ministry, and did not at all want to be a part of it when he grew up.

While attending Messiah College, he was asked to join the staff of the Brethren in Christ. At this question he knew he was to become a part of the ministry. He therefore turned his focus to the ministries and being involved at this church where he worked on staff for seven years. It was during a transitional time in the church that would change his life and ‘life track.’ God began speaking to Barnett about the Holy Spirit, but being from conservative roots and beliefs, Barnett didn’t have deep beliefs in the present movements of the Holy Spirit. God spoke to him saying: “my disciples waited in the upper room, what do you think your doing?” Barnett new he needed to wait upon God, and the Holy Spirit.

Although the Brethren in Christ speak of holiness, they do not speak on the Holy Spirit movements. David began speaking upon the Holy Spirit, and in his own life the Spirit began moving. While taking this rash move in the conservative world, Barnett met up with much back lashing against his prodding the Holy Spirit, but he kept doing just that. Seeking the Holy Spirit, studying and searching for him. Through searching and researching, evidence of the Holy Spirit eventually poured into his life, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues.  Along with the Holy Spirit, came a burden for the town he was in. Barnett didn’t begin planting church, but planting individual small groups. Barnett’s idea, ‘Put small groups in every development and you’ll reach the town.” Barnett tends to shy away from the ‘big church’ idea and focuses on the core groups first, and from this there has been much success.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to David Barnett’s unique adventure unto the Holy Spirit and the deepening of his faith. I feel he has a complete unique path that us, being Pentecostal, should lend an ear too. I also believe his views on ministry are unique, focusing church on a ‘small group’ mentality. I’m glad this is working for him, and am thankful for his unique and fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit.