Meet the pastors
Rev. Larry Barber
Rev. Larry Barber
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.
Rev. Larry Barber
Rev. Larry Barber
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. (3yrs.)
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.
Rev. Larry Barber
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 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 along with Carole 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.
Rev. Carole Barber
Rev. Carole Barber
Rev. Carole Barber
I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to a Christian family and grew up in Northern Michigan in the Cadillac area. I attended the Christian Reformed Church and Northern Michigan Christian Schools. I graduated from the Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI with a major in Bible and a minor in Music.
Rev. Carole Barber
Rev. Carole Barber
I attempted to find a position on a mission field and when that didn't work out I continued my education at Barrington College in Rhode Island now called Gordon University and earned a BA in music Education with a minor in sociology. I then began to teach in Grand Rapids at Millbrook Christian School. At the same time I attended graduate school and earned a MA in education from Michigan State University. In 1983 we moved to Southern CA due to my husbands job and I began teaching at the Crystal Cathedral Academy. I have worked in education there except for three years when we returned to Grand Rapids where I again taught at Millbrook Christian School. When we returned to California, I again taught at Crystal Cathedral. For the past 10 years I have been the principal there which was called Shepherd's Grove and now Trinity Christian Schools. I have taken commissioned Pastor training with Rev. Terry Nyhuis and have been commissioned as associate pastor of Church of Grace.
Rev. Carole Barber
I have now graduated with a MDiv from Western Theological Seminary in Holland Michigan. My husband and I reside in Mission Viejo, California and have a married daughter, Malari, a son in law Dan, and two beautiful grandchildren who live in Long Beach California.
I made a decision for Christ when I was twelve years old and have been interested in mission and church work ever since. I have been involved in evangelism for a Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, teaching Sunday School at various churches, Wednesday night Bible clubs, directing junior church choirs, church organist, directing Bible Schools, serving on evangelism committees, in cast for Glory of Christmas and Easter, greeter, elder, and a variety of other committees, etc. I am excited to serve as co-pastor at Church of Grace.