The message of Jonah is not about a fish.
It's about obedience, compassion, and the mercy of God that overshadows human comfort.
My predecessor in this job once said, "Stay in God's will for your life-because one Book of Jonah is enough."
Here are two truths every leader must learn:
Running from God always comes with a price tag, one that you choose to pay.
Walking in God's will always releases God's divine providence. God pays the bill.
If you wrestle with God's assignments, find people difficult, or keep repeating lessons you never seem to master, don't despair. God doesn't give up on you.
He won't rewrite the lesson, but He will pursue you until you return to Him.
I want to walk in God's will. Don't you?
Follow God today.
Pastor Tim
A Message from the Desk of Tim Barker:
God is patient, but He's not interested in rewriting the lessons He's already given us.
Jonah's story is a prophetic wake-up call for us to walk in His will.
We can no longer be reluctant servants. The only practical way to survive in pastoral ministry is to push our comfort aside and give ourselves fully to the will of God.
Tim R. Barker, D. Min.
About Tim:
Reverend Tim R. Barker is the Network Pastor/Superintendent of the South Texas Ministry Network, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
He is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Ministries/Biblical Studies, with a minor in music. He also received a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from SAGU and received his Doctorate of Ministry Degree from West Coast Seminary.
Reverend Barker was ordained by the Assemblies of God in 1989. He began his ministry in the South Texas District in 1984 as youth & music minister and continued his ministry as Pastor, Executive Presbyter (2006 - 2009) and Executive Secretary-Treasurer (2009 - 2011) in the South Texas District, where he served until his election as the South Texas District Superintendent in 2011.
By virtue of his district office, Reverend Barker is a member of the District's Executive Presbytery and the General Presbytery of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri. He is a member of the Executive Board of Regents for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, Texas, and SAGU-American Indian College, Phoenix, Arizona. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pleasant Hills Children's Home, Fairfield, Texas, as well as numerous other boards and committees.
Reverend Barker and his wife, Jill, married in 1983, have been blessed with two daughters. Jordin and her husband, Stancle Williams, who serves as the South Texas District Youth Director. Abrielle and her husband, Nolan McLaughlin, are church planters of Motion Church in San Antonio. The Barkers have four grandchildren, Braylen, Emory and Landon Williams and Kingston McLaughlin.
His unique style of pulpit ministry and musical background challenges the body of Christ, with an appeal that reaches the generations.
