Barbara is married to John and the mother of two grown up children, James and Carol. Professionally, she is a qualified teacher of the visually impaired. Her job involves working with parents of pre-school children with visual impairments and supporting blind and partially sighted young people in school, as well as managing staff doing the same job.
Barbara was born into a Christian family and had the joy of having parents who supported her in prayer during her early years, into adulthood and then they prayed for the next generation. Originally intending to study to be a librarian, Barbara changed course to become a primary school teacher before moving to a school for the blind in Newcastle and, in the process, losing her heart to all things Geordie. Though originally from Warrington, but born in Watford, work also took John to Newcastle, which is where they met. John and Barbara settled in Gateshead – about 2 miles from where the Angel of the North now stands – and both their children were born there.
A new job for John brought the family to Loughton in 1988. Although new to the area, Loughton is almost equidistant from where Barbara’s mother and father had been born (Ongar and Hackney respectively) approximately 80 years before so it felt like coming back to her roots. Goldings Church is within five minute walk of Barbara’s home and has been her ‘spiritual home’ since her first week in the town.
Each Sunday morning, Barbara gives a children’s talk which is enjoyed by children of all ages. It is the opportunity to teach basic Bible truths not only to the young in age but also the young in faith. Having had a lifetime of Christian teaching at church and in the home, Barbara is very conscious of how, when a life is truly surrendered to Christ, every attitude and decision is affected. Being a Christian is not just signing up to a set of values but opening oneself up to a complete makeover – to be changed into Christ’s likeness. In order for such a change to take place, there must be sound Biblical teaching and Barbara regards the children’s talk as part of the church’s teaching programme.
Barbara rejoices in the fact that both James and Carol also seek to serve the Lord, and as a result she has been drawn into unexpected situations - A visit to Ghana during Carol’s gap year to see the work she was doing with Wycliffe Bible Translators and the annual trip to work as a cook at Live Wires, a Christian computer camp run by Scripture Union. Like several of the young men who lead on the camp, James ‘volunteered’ his Mum when kitchen staff were needed! There is always work for a Christian to do regardless of age.
When asked to tell us her favourite Bible Verse, Barbara said: "This is a difficult one as there are so many but I think I would go for Psalm 46 v10 ‘Be still and know that I am God’. It’s so full of meaning.