(Robert, son Daniel, & father, Miles W. Barge, Jr. at Wayland Baseball Double-Header - April 09)

   Robert Barge has been a minister of the gospel since 1977.  This fall, he will begin his 33rd year in Christian ministry.  Robert was born in Birmingham, Alabama.  He was raised in a Christian home.  He grew up attending the Baptist church.  At the age of 11, Robert decided to follow Jesus.  During a spring revival in 1977, Robert accepted the call into full-time Christian service.  He was licensed into the ministry by Helena Baptist Church - Helena, Alabama.  He preached his first sermon in 1980.  He received his Bachelors of Music degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.  He also worked towards a minor in religion.

   In July 1982, Robert married Vicki Lynn Holbrook.  He received his Masters of Arts degree with an emphasis in Youth Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1986.  In 1986, their first child, Daniel was born.  In 1989, their daughter Lauren was born.  Robert was ordained into the ministry by the First Baptist Church of Warner Robins, Georgia, where he served as Minister of Youth for six years.

   In October of 2004, Robert stepped out of a local church ministry position for the first time since 1977 to launch Wherever Ministries - a ministry committed to revival and renewal in the local church.  He is the author of two books - "The Souljourn," published July 2005 and "the Jesus test," published July 2009.

Part-Time College Churches

   First Baptist Church of Pratt City - Pratt City, Alabama +++ Collins Chapel Baptist Church - Thorsby, Alabama +++ Bethsalem Baptist Church - Billingsley, Alabama +++ Summer Missions Director - Chilton-Unity Baptist Association - Clanton, Alabama.

Full-Time Churches

   Maplesville Baptist Church - Maplesville, Alabama.  Minister of Youth and Music: 1981-1984.

   First Baptist Church - Warner Robins, Georgia.  Minister of Youth: 1986-1992.

   First Baptist Church - Abilene, Texas.  Minister of Youth: 1992-1996.

   First Baptist Church - Fort Davis, Texas.  Pastor: 1996-2004.

Other Activities Enjoyed

   Robert enjoys spending time with Vicki Lynn, Daniel, and Lauren.  He enjoys hiking, reading, camping, baseball (Go Braves!), riding horses, preaching, writing, and westerns.  Autumn is his favorite time of year.  Mexican food, seafood, and steaks are his favorite dishes.  Sweet-tea and Mountain Dew are his favorite beverages.  Christian doctrine was his favorite class in college and seminary.  He likes to visit places of historical significance.

   Robert's favorite authors include Mark Batterson, Henry Blackaby. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Frederick Buechner, Tony Campolo, John Eldredge, Zane Grey, Vance Havner, Elmer Kelton, Louis L'Amour, C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado, Brennan Manning, Calvin Miller, John Ortberg, Eugene Peterson, Chester Swor, George W. Truett, Dallas Willard, Philip Yancey, and Mike Yaconelli.

   His favorite musicians include Rich Mullins, John Denver, Jeff Gore, Geoff Moore, Amy Grant, and Michael Martin Murphey.  He also collects western soundtracks.