Linesville Baptist Church ------            Retirement Celebration

Jeff Johnson attended the farewell service, fellowship dinner, and sharing time for Rev. Art and Kristy Barnes of the Linesville Baptist Church in northwest PA. He has served that church for nearly thirty years. After preaching his last sermon during the morning service, his family; immediate and extended closed things out by singing a special song for the occasion. Everyone then recessed into the fellowship hall for an amazing and abundant dinner. After eating, everyone went back into the sanctuary to reminisce and sharing their thanks for the couples years of ministry. Several speakers had been pre-selected, such as Jeff, representing our regional family. After taking a few weeks off, Pastor Art will begin working with Jeff and the churches in the co::lab experience, having led his own church through the process in 2013.

Here is the pic of the lay leadership presenting Pastor Art and Cristy a gift from the church.

Pastor Art and Kristy on the sofa, hearing reminisces from Pastor Bill Minser, former pastor of FBC, Meadville and convener of the Barnabas Group, a clergy peer group in the northwest of which Pastor Art has been a member for two decades. Pastor Bill flew in from Madison, Wisconsin for the occasion. 

Pastor Art and Kristy on the sofa with words of thanks being shared in the forefront by their minister of worship and music, Pastor Terry and his wife Joy. In the background is present associate, Pastor Joel who will become the new senior pastor this week. 

Pastor Art and Kristy being thanked by their three sons, Christopher, Matthew, and Michael who grew up in Linesville. Michael surprised his parents by flying in from Nashville where he leads a nationally known Christian rock band, RED. Matt leads the praise team at Linesville. Chris does the same at another church in the area.