The Lord gave Pastor Robert Earl Barber, a pastor with a thriving ministry in Senatobia, Mississippi, a vision for a new ministry to be planted in Memphis, Tennessee with this scripture: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" from Philippians 3:14. Feeling God's leading to develop spiritual character and not just church members, he began the groundwork for "A Total Ministry for the Total Man".
The History of
Higher Calling
On Sunday, September 5, 2010, the 1st Service was held at T-Style Hair Salon, 1279 Marlin Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38116. Pastor Barber begin the 8am service with two songs, "This is the Day that The Lord has Made", and“I Need Thee Every Hour". Pastor Barber's message that 1st Sunday of Worship was "The Benefits of Waiting" from Isaiah 40:28-31.
In addition to Pastor and Lady Barber, there were 11 other attendees and the total 1st offering was $226.00. To demonstrate his belief that God had indeed called Higher Calling into existence, service was adjourned to look at a church building on the corner of Finley at Faronia. As a good steward, no hasty moves were made. Higher Calling Ministries was incorporated in the State of Tennessee in June, 2012.
In God's timing, Higher Calling was directed to a dilapidated building at 3210 New Getwell Road which had been a former child care center but had been abandoned and ravaged. However, God gave the visionary Pastor a vision that when executed, astonished all that had known of it previously. On Sunday, April 17, 2016 a beautiful edifice was dedicated to the Glory of God.
A true visionary and innovative leader, Pastor Barber does not yield to the allure of worldliness, but teaches holiness with a realistic approach directly from the Word of God. He encourages the members to hear and heed the voice of God and encourages them by not only prayer, but support of wholesome efforts to fulfill their individual callings and build the Kingdom of God.
In obedience to the voice of God, the New Dimensions Community Development Corporation was founded as the community outreach extension of the ministry. Each year, Higher Calling conducts several campaigns to reach the community in a variety of efforts. In addition, God directed Pastor Barber to establish the Greater Mid-South Fellowship to help ministries thrive and grow and he was appointed a Superintendent in the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.
God has been our source, our supply, and our sustainer. We have only just began to reach the world for Christ, one total man at a time. The best is yet to come, and “IT'S GETTING READY TO HAPPEN"!