Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma, is home to Christian Life Church (New Horizons Conference) where Neil Barlow and his wife, Christy, have co-pastored for over 20 years. While their community may be small, their ministry proves how the ‘little things’ matter most.
After meeting at Southwestern Christian University, Neil and Christy married in 2002. Less than a year later Bishop Randall Drake installed them as pastors.
What sounds “quick and easy” was anything but.
Pastors Neil and Christy Barlow of Christian Life Church in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma
Neil grew up non-denominational and, while ministry had been a part of his life, he never thought it would be his career. At 14, Neil’s mother decided there must be more to following Christ, so she asked her family to join her in finding somewhere new to attend church. After finding Foursquare Church, the entire family was saved, and Neil was involved in leading devotionals and youth ministry. In high school, he went to vo-tech for carpentry, so he planned to pursue a career in construction.
Christy moved to Oklahoma from Pennsylvania after her family was torn apart by divorce. She came with her mother, and while Christy navigated this change herself, she also had to help her mother through a difficult situation regarding her brothers. It was Christy’s grandmother who brought her Christian Life Church.
Neil and Christy’s paths crossed when Neil changed his college plans just the night before he was set to begin. He had the “weirdest, most overwhelming” feeling that he was meant to change course, and so he enrolled at Southwestern Christian University. Christy was already attending SCU but transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma to pursue a medical degree and work in Africa. However, she discovered that was not where she was meant to be, so she returned to SCU.
As newlyweds, and still trying to figure out what was next for them, Christy’s great-uncle asked Neil to preach at Christian Life Church. At the time, Christian Life Church struggled to keep a pastor for more than 4 years for different reasons, and it was not on Neil or Christy’s radar because they never planned to call Paul’s Valley “home”. They were also being mentored, so they thought it would be at least 10 years before they would lead a church.
That Sunday was a turning point for the Barlows. Afterwards, Bishop Drake reached out to them and “wouldn’t take no for an answer.” During the phone call, Christy revealed to Neil that she knew Sunday that pastoring Christian Life was a possibility. For Christy, Micah 6:8 gave her the confidence to move forward with God had in store for them. Neil, however, was not as sure. His next call was to his dad who also shared, “I knew it. I knew it on Sunday,” but he also encouraged Neil to pray about it.
They did so, and it was 2 months before Neil and Christy allowed their names to be considered for the lead pastor position. It was during this time that God reminded Neil of the story of the children of Israel crossing the Jordan River. Neil also needed to take a step of faith to see what would happen.
This situation also forced Neil to practice one of his favorite scriptures: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV). People may not know, but Neil was shy growing up. He did not have any interest in being in front of people, and he struggled with self-confidence. Joshua 1:9 has helped him throughout his life to remember that God has called him to be exactly where he is meant to be, and that God will walk hand-in-hand and lead him through.
They were interviewed and hired at just 23 years old. Just 2 months after their first service, they celebrated their 1-year wedding anniversary. The church took them in, and many who are still there were, and continue to be, spiritual leaders and ministry helpers. Christian Life Church is a generational church: kids have grown up there and continue to come and bring their children and so on. Pastoring has also given the Barlows the opportunity to share the Lord with Christy’s brothers who eventually reunited in Paul’s Valley. “It’s a story of God’s restoration and redemption in Christy’s family,” Neil reveals.
Pastors Neil and Christy Barlow with their children (L-R): Zechariah, Elijah, Natalie, and Addison
Their time as pastors has been meaningful in many ways, especially in the daily, one-on-one interactions and relationships they have with their congregation and community. Neil shares, “It’s easy to look back and wonder what we have accomplished in 20 years. The personal, small wins that we’ve been able to walk with people matter. It can’t be seen on a data sheet or big screen or anything like that.”
Neil finishes with, “I want people to trust in the Lord and follow His guidance in doing the ‘little things.’ American church celebrates ‘big’ accomplishments, but ministry is the small things. I am where I am today because of ministry in small church, because of personal one-on-one ministry, and I think that’s important. We ask ourselves, ‘shouldn’t we have more?’ but when we focus on each individual person and seed that’s been planted, we’re reminded of what it’s truly about.”
Bishop Drake has approached the Barlows about open churches; however, each time they have pray about it, the Lord has shown them that Christian Life Church is where they continue to be needed. Neil also serves on SCU’s Board of Trustees and as New Horizons Conference Assistant Superintendent. Christy is the Conference’s Women’s Ministry Director. They are also involved in ministry alliance and help throughout their community. Their service reminds us that there is strength in small, and the Kingdom of Heaven celebrates all the “little things.”
