Residents of Killarney welcomed Pastor Chris Barnes to their community, as the new pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Barnes settled into his new surroundings in mid-August with the official start to his lead pastor position September 1st. Barnes’ move from Winnipeg to Killarney isn’t the only life change the Lord has called him to. He was an ordained priest in Winnipeg at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, but felt God tugging at his heart to leave the big city and candidate for pastorate in Killarney. A place prepared “About a year ago, I just felt the Lord nudging me, saying that He was preparing another place for me, a new season of ministry,” he explains. “So, I spent quite a few months just discerning that and praying about that. And it was just amazing. One thing led to another, and I ended up applying for the job here at Calvary Baptist. And I just felt the Lord confirming, saying, 'yes, this is where you're to be'.” “And, ever since I've arrived, I just felt those desires in my heart just be confirmed over and over again and just feeling really blessed to be here in Killarney.” Calvary Baptist Church had been without a pastor for close to 2 years, with individual and weekly corporate prayer sessions dedicated specifically for God to call on a pastor, their pastor, hand-picked by God Himself, who would lead this congregation. Pastor Chris shared his heart and his testimony in multiple Sunday morning services at Calvary Baptist and then decided to candidate for pastorate. You could say, Pastor Chris was greatly loved by this flock of believers because they had been praying for him for two years, for God to call him, to prepare him, and for him to transition well into the community. Those prayers have been answered by Pastor Chris' own testimony on how he's been welcomed by the community. “It's funny because a lot of my friends and family back in Winnipeg, they keep calling me and asking me, 'How are you doing? Are you doing okay? Are you lonely?' Because I moved out here by myself,” shares Pastor Barnes. “And it's actually the opposite. I just feel so loved and welcomed. And there's always something to do and always people wanting to get together, which is a real blessing. So, I'm loving the community aspect here. I love that everyone seems to know each other.” “It took a little getting used to that everyone knew who I was before I knew who they were, you know, being at the Co-op or the bank or whereabouts in town,” he laughs, “but it's just been a real blessing and just such a loving community, a welcoming community, smiling, waving, like it's a different atmosphere here and it's one that I really appreciate.” Compassion in motion Pastor Chris was born into a military family in Montreal, and because of his father’s position in the military they moved to Canadian Forces bases across Canada including Moose Jaw, Fredericton, New Brunswick and Ottawa. “And then when I was a teenager my family settled in Winnipeg, and I’ve been in Winnipeg ever since,” he explains. “But as I slowly got called into ministry, one area that I really wanted to get involved with was mission trips. Barnes has been on numerous mission trips around the world, including Greece, Israel, and Belarus. One of the most profound and heartbreaking trips was to the Philippines through International Justice Mission (IJM) Canada where the outreach was to rescue children from child-trafficking. He saw the ugliness of organized crime in that country and how it connected to North America. But more importantly he saw the compassion, perseverance and bravery of those called to rescue these children. The mission team saw God’s healing touch on these young lives first-hand, so much so that they spoke with adults who had been rescued as children who are now the very social workers who help young survivors recover from the trauma of child-exploitation. Related article: Winnipeg pastor visits Philippines to witness children rescued from trafficking Faith in action: Serving where it’s needed most Pastor Chris has also participated in many mission trips to northern Manitoba, more specifically to Leaf Rapids. St. Aiden’s Church committed to a 5-year ministry outreach to provide summer Bible School (VBS) to the children in that community. Through the kid’s ministry they witnessed the children’s parents and grandparents come to Jesus. “Leaf Rapids is a real hurting community, kind of a community that’s fallen between the cracks. It’s not a reserve, and it also doesn’t have any source of income for anyone living there. So, we've been up there every summer, and all these mission trips have really helped me to grow in my faith and allow me to grow in my calling as a pastor.” Barnes says he wants this kind of compassion to flow out of his ministry as well as his new church in Killarney. A place to belong, a people who care “Calvary Baptist is here to be a positive influence in the community. We really want to connect. We want to serve, and we want to be a part of the community,” he shares. “So, everything we look to do in the community is to grow and to help this community. And we just want everyone to know we're here for you, and everyone's always welcome. But we also are here if there's anything that the community needs help with as well,” he adds. Community outreach includes the kids’ program of Disciple Town at Calvary Baptist. Each year the leaders of Disciple Town choose a theme and have a great time with the children from all over the community each Wednesday evening. “They’ve got a wonderful theme of Wild, Wild West and it’s just real fun! So, if you have any children that would be interested in that, they're welcome on Wednesdays till the end of November at 6:45. Just come to the church and we'll be downstairs. And just the setting there, it's just a real fun time. So, I would encourage everyone to join us for that.” For those who wish to go a little deeper in their understanding of the Bible and their own faith walk, Calvary Baptist Church offers life groups to not only their regular attenders, but anyone in the community who would like to join, typically on a designated evening each week. “Our many life groups within our church provide that closer setting for fellowship, for Bible study, for prayer, a more intimate time. And if that's something you're looking for, we'll definitely welcome you, and we'll find a life group home for you as well,” invites Pastor Barnes. Please listen to more with Pastor Chris Barnes below as he shares on Thanksgiving. For more information on the Calvary Baptist Church, their programs and Sunday morning services, visit their website HERE! Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 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