Richard (Dick) Barrett came to Oak Grove to fill the Associate Pastor Position in November 2002. Dick is from Akron, NY, near Buffalo. He is 43 years old. He and his wife Mary have two daughters; Emma, and Erin.
Raised in a Roman Catholic faith, experiencing a failed marriage (sons, Timothy and Joseph were born to this marriage), Dick began to study the Bible in the early 1990's as he realized that something was missing from his life. As he read the Bible, he began to develop a relationship with God and Jesus Christ like never before. He realized he could be forgiven for his sins. He was also able to forgive himself.
For over 20 years, Dick has been employed as a Police Officer/Sergeant with the New York State Police. He has been involved with the D.A.R.E. program and has a master's degree in Criminal Justice.
Dick's spiritual pilgrimage has been a winding road. God has led him through amazing circumstances to new life in Jesus and to the Clarence Center/Akron Mennonite Church. In the last several years, Dick has felt God calling him to serve in a greater capacity. He has taken seminary courses from colleges in his area as well as from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He completed a master's degree in Pastoral Ministries from Christ the King Seminary in October 2002.
