LOVELOCK - After about a year with an interim pastor, Lovelock's First Baptist Church has a new spiritual leader. Pastor Jeff Barnes took his place at the pulpit on May 26.
Barnes is a certified pastoral counselor and licensed through by the Southern Baptist Convention as a chaplain and biblical counselor. He has been in ministry for 20 years, he said.
At age 62, Barnes admits he has not always been a pastor. He grew up in California, graduating from Long Beach State with a degree in biology. Directly after college Barnes went into the U.S. Navy and joined the submarine service. He became a liaison to the Italian Submarine Service and eventually went into the private defense field. Barnes has also been a museum curator and a park director of a zoo.
"All of this primed me for ministry," Barnes said.
Through all his journeys Barnes said he was always a believer in God and Jesus, but it wasn't until a family crisis that he gave way to his calling as a pastor. In his early pastoral years he became involved in grief counseling and has worked with coroner departments, hospice and various hospitals. He has also pastored churches in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
He now refers to himself as a semi-retired Baptist pastor.
Barnes said he became acquainted with the Lovelock church when a friend told him of the church's need for a pastor.
"I got a call from a Nevada friend who told me I would absolutely love being in Lovelock and I do. Lovelock is a neat town. I'm happy to be here," Barnes said.
Barnes said he plans to get out into the community to find where he could be of service. He said he would offer chaplain or counseling services to anyone who needs them.
Sunday services are at 11 a.m. with bible study at 10 a.m. Mid-week bible study is Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.
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