Article Submitted

to Church News

news@showmetimes.com

Dexter, Missouri - On Sunday, June 30, 2013 the First United Methodist Church of Dexter, Missouri, welcomed their newly appointed pastor Dr. Barry E. Winders and his wife Carmen from Lamar, MO. 

He challenged the congregation in his first worship service by saying, “…Together we will climb the mountain again but not to reach the top just so we can come down.  Instead, we will climb the mountain to hang on the mountainside, near the top, near the summit…and then look for another place to climb higher.”   This climbing metaphor illustrates  how a person can always choose how they will travel, metaphorically, and can decide to engage challenges with passion, to commit to a goal, to compete with our past and improve, to overcome setbacks we face, and to enjoy the journey along the way.

Dr. Windors is a United Methodist ordained elder in full-connection with the Missouri Conference.   He responded to his call to ministry at the age of 17.  He is originally from a small rural town northeast of Paducah, Kentucky and a University of Kentucky graduate.  He is an Army veteran, a Paul Harris Fellow and active Rotarian, and an avid golfer.

In 43 years of ministry, he has served as Senior Pastor and also as staff in small to mid-size churches in four states in the Midwest ranging from 13 to 600 in attendance and membership.  He is a gifted communicator, leader and pastor. 

Barry has four earned degrees an A.A., BA,, Th.M. and a Doctorate of Ministry  with an emphasis in leadership.  In 2012 he completed the ACOS certification with Saint Paul Seminary in Kansas City, MO.  He is a Certified Church Consultant to churches including United Methodists, a coach to pastors, a workshop presenter, and has authored two published books.

Barry and Carmen, his wife of 33 years, have one daughter and two grandsons who live in Burfordville near Jackson, Missouri. Carmen has been an educator for 19 years and plans to teach elementary special education at Malden Schools this Fall.

The Dexter church offers multiple service options for people and guests to attend.  New worship times begin Sunday, July 21.  Early Worship  8:15 a.m. – 9 a.m., Cross Over Contemporary Worship 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

If you would like to contact Dr. Winders by email, his address is barrywinders@gmail.com.