Meet the pastor
Rev. Larry Barber
I grew up in Grand Rapids, MI., the son and grandson of pastors. I attended both Public and Christian Schools in and around the Grand Rapids area, and am a graduate of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. with a degree in English and Art, along with a teaching certificate.
I became a member of The Reformed Church in America in 1970, and have been a part of three congregations since; Grace Reformed Church of Wyoming, Mi. (13 yrs.), the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA. (27 yrs.), and Church of Grace, Garden Grove, CA. (15 yrs.)
Over my life, I have been involved in many phases of ministry since, being a youth group leader, Sunday school and catechism teacher, the driver of the bus to pick up shut-ins and those in care facilities for Sunday worship, a greeter, an usher, the head of volunteer security ministry of the church, a member of the Executive Pastor Advisory Council, a deacon, an elder, and Pastor. From the time that I entered college, I have felt the call to enter fulltime ministry. Initially, I did not recognize it as the call of God. I thought it was just the expectations of persons who thought I should be in ministry like my dad and grandpa.
Over the years from time to time, God has tapped me on the shoulder and tugged at my heart. It seemed that I always had an excuse for not answering his call, job, family, Christian school tuition, etc. In 2005 I was given the opportunity to enter Commissioned Pastor training under the tutelage of Rev. Terry Nyhuis. It was as if God was saying my son, what will be your excuse this time? I answered that call and after nearly three years of preparation, I was commissioned as a teaching pastor at the Crystal Cathedral. I entered Western Theological Seminary in 2010, and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 2015.
In 2011, God called me, along with my wife Carole and the Rev. Debra Yurk, to plant Church of Grace, Garden Grove, a congregation of The Reformed Church In America. It has been an exciting adventure.