Yielding a Harvest: A Lighthouse in the Darkness
Photos by Tom Price
Pastor Dean Barham of Lighthouse Calvary Chapel in Manchester, NH, said he felt like a bolt of lightning went through him when he heard this Eric Liddell quote from the movie Chariots of Fire: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast! And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Dean compared the quote to his own experience with God: “Standing up on Sunday or anytime to teach God’s Word is the easy part. That’s what He created me to do.”
Dean Barham of Lighthouse CC in Manchester, NH, has a special time with his daughter, Rebecca, who is handicapped and needs around-the-clock care while his wife, Virginia (in the background), prepares a meal. They have four children; one daughter, Rachel, is a Calvary Chapel missionary serving with her husband and family in northern Italy.
Bi-vocational since 2007, Dean thought of his two full-time jobs as: one puts bread on the table, the other serves the church. “A number of us pastors are in this situation,” Dean specified. “We work to support our families and for health care benefits.” This is poignant for Dean, who has an adult disabled daughter requiring 24/7 care. He and his wife, Virginia, adhere to a strict routine that enables Dean to wear many hats: as a program project manager, a pastor, worship leader, husband, father, and skilled caregiver.
He [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
As a program manager, Dean observed, “I lead people and manage teams, so that translates well to ministry.” Dean and Virginia have a divide-and-conquer approach to home and ministry life. In a typical week, his wife teaches the women on Tuesday and Thursday; he leads men’s ministry on Monday and Wednesday. Friday night is worship team practice and on Saturday he prepares Sunday’s sermon.
Virginia manages most of their daughter’s intricate care, and Dean handles the regular morning routine before beginning his workday. Dean explained, “We do not want to lose perspective in why we do this. God does things in our lives because we are on display for others. The way we handle the trials, stresses, and storms—hopefully He is using that as a teaching and encouraging vehicle through us.”
When asked how they do it, Dean replied, “We want to, we have to. We feel compelled because the mission is to serve the Lord, the church, His people, and getting the Gospel out.”
Dean knows his life is atypical of most pastors. “I got into this because I love the Lord. He called me—I have to go forward, press on,” he reasoned. His exhortation to bi-vocational pastors holds much weight in light of this. “Don’t give up, don’t quit. Don’t allow discouragement or anyone who would tell you [that] your church is not big or the ministry isn’t what it could be because you are working full time. If you are following the Lord, seeking His leading, you have to do what He tells you to do and how He tells you to do it.”
Dean works full time as a project manager, seeing products from concept to manufacturing in addition to his time ministering as senior pastor.
Following sage advice, Dean now gives himself the ‘Pastor’s Self-Talk’: “You have to remind yourself of the Gospel and what happened to you. Like Paul, when he recalled he was a violent and insolent man, attacking the church and killing people, then saying, And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12).” Dean believes God gave him a vision that He is going to bring people into the church. “Not through [transferring between churches], but through salvation and [God doing] a work in this [local] area, which is very dark, oppressive, and spiritually challenged.” He encouraged, “God often leads us into impossible places—impossible humanly speaking—but perfect for God to work.”
Using the Exodus 14 account of the Israelites hemmed in by mountains, sea, and the approaching Egyptian army, Dean illustrated, “Moses told them to stand and see the glory of God. Then the Lord parted the Red Sea, and they walked through. He does things in a way so He gets the credit. I am OK [with] where God has us—in a place where we are loving and serving Him, pouring ourselves out, but He ultimately gets the glory and honor.”
Learn more about Lighthouse Calvary Chapel at lighthousecalvarychapel.com
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Follow this series in which we highlight bivocational—and even trivocational—pastors who minister to others through secular jobs while faithfully serving their congregations.
From Farrier to Shepherd
Pastor Steve Feden, Calvary Chapel Fluvanna, VA
Today’s Tentmaker
Pastor Richie Cancel, Calvary Life Brooklyn, NY
Rubbing Elbows with the World
Pastor Don Rypstra, Calvary Chapel Rochester, MN
Serving God at Work & Church
Pastor Steve Freeman, Calvary Chapel Living Hope, West Des Moines, IA
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