The Church Developer
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEVELOPER
The Provisional Session of Grace Presbyterian Church – the daughter church of First Presbyterian Church in Pontiac/Spears Creek Church Road in northeast Richland County – in conjunction with the Church Extension Committee of Catawba Presbytery, announced to the FPC Session on April 18 that it recommened to presbytery that the Rev. Brandon Barrett be called as their church planter.
Brandon had been serving as the minister of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia where he lived with his wife Elizabeth and their 5 children – Caroline, Henry, John Mac, Hannah, and William.
Brandon is originally from Nashville and Elizabeth from Charlotte. They met as students at Davidson College. After graduating from Davidson, Brandon taught high school English for two years. Following a developing sense of calling toward ministry Brandon went on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and served at the University of North Carolina for 5 years. Brandon and Elizabeth were married after his first year on IV staff. Following his time at UNC, Brandon then went to Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia pursuing a Masters of Divinity. While there, the Barretts were part of a new church planting effort in the city of Philadelphia. After finishing his studies, and still having a burden for students, Brandon went on the staff of RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) where he was asked to start the ministry at William and Mary in Williamsburg.
While at William and Mary, Brandon and Elizabeth – along with many of their RUF students - become associated with Grace Covenant Presbyterian. When the minister there left to answer a call to another ministry, Brandon had opportunity to preach as the church searched for a new minister. After a number of months the search committee approached him about considering a call to be their pastor. Brandon served as their minister for 5 years.
As this path was unfolding for Brandon other developments were happening on the family front. During the years Brandon ministered at UNC, Elizabeth was studying at UNC Medical School. While Brandon was studying at Westminster Seminary, Elizabeth was completing her medical residency at an inner city hospital in Philadelphia. Then for a few years in Williamsburg and as children started to become part of their family, she worked at a medical clinic for the poor. As the family has continued to grow she is now giving herself full time of the home front.
Brandon was called as Church Developer of Grace Presbyterian Church at a June 7 meeting of Catawba Presbytery. The Barretts arrived in Columbia on June 14.
Brandon is currently the minister of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia where he lives with his wife Elizabeth and their 5 children – Caroline, Henry, John Mac, Hannah, and William.
Brandon is originally from Nashville and Elizabeth from Charlotte. They met as students at Davidson College. After graduating from Davidson, Brandon taught high school English for two years. Following a developing sense of calling toward ministry Brandon went on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and served at the University of North Carolina for 5 years. Brandon and Elizabeth were married after his first year on IV staff. Following his time at UNC, Brandon then went to Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia pursuing a Masters of Divinity. While there, the Barretts were part of a new church planting effort in the city of Philadelphia. After finishing his studies, and still having a burden for students, Brandon went on the staff of RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) where he was asked to start the ministry at William and Mary in Williamsburg.
While at William and Mary, Brandon and Elizabeth – along with many of their RUF students - become associated with Grace Covenant Presbyterian. When the minister there left to answer a call to another ministry, Brandon had opportunity to preach as the church searched for a new minister. After a number of months the search committee approached him about considering a call to be their pastor. Brandon has now been their minister for 5 years.
As this path was unfolding for Brandon other developments were happening on the family front. During the years Brandon ministered at UNC, Elizabeth was studying at UNC Medical School. While Brandon was studying at Westminster Seminary, Elizabeth was completing her medical residency at an inner city hospital in Philadelphia. Then for a few years in Williamsburg and as children started to become part of their family, she worked at a medical clinic for the poor. As the family has continued to grow she is now giving herself full time of the home front.
