MEET
THE YOUTH MINISTER - Kristen Barner
Kristen Barner was born and raised in Pennsylvania but spent every summer
at Massanetta Springs Bible Conference in Harrisonburg, VA. She
attended Mary Baldwin College and earned her BA in English, Theater Arts,
and Secondary Education. Right after graduation, Kristen went to
Americus, GA where she went through training to be an IP (International
Partner) with Habitat for Humanity. During her time in Americus,
she had the privilege of having Jimmy Carter as her Sunday School teacher
and spent Sunday afternoons at Koinonia Farms, where Clarence Jordan wrote
The Cotton Patch Gospels.
In January, 1991, Kristen moved to Ghana,
West Africa. She worked with HFH, Intl. for two years. She
stayed in Ghana another two years and taught at the American School, teaching
English and starting their drama program. Kristen returned to the
US to earn her Master of Divinity in Theology from Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary. Following Seminary, Kristen returned to Virginia and worked
at a variety of non-profits, including teaching and college administration. She
has spent the last few years working in Youth Ministry and pursuing ordination. Kristen
is also a full-time Chaplain Resident at UVA's Medical Center.
Kristen
married American Shakespeare Center actor, David Loar in August of 2004. Kristen
and David live in Staunton with their dog, Monty.
|