Pastor Kelvin L. Barnes was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He is the son of the late Lisa R. Barnes and Earnest McLean Jr. The oldest of five children, he was raised in a loving and nurturing home. He attended schools in Robeson County and is currently attending Shaw University Divinity School where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Divinity.
In 2003, he accepted the call by God into the ministry and was licensed to preach the word of God by McCormick Chapel AME Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Judy Johnson.
In 2009, Pastor Barnes joined Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John A. Campbell, Sr. While at Ebenezer Rev. Barnes served as the Youth Pastor where the youth membership and participation increased rapidly. It was with the Ebenezer Baptist Church that Rev. Barnes was license and ordained by the Lumber River Baptist Association as a Baptist Preacher.
In 2011, God allowed Pastor Barnes to unite with the Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John D. Fuller, Sr. While at Lewis Chapel he served as the Youth Coordinator and N.O.W Generational Ministries C.T.U Coordinator where he planned curriculum for youth bible studies and coordinated youth activities.
Pastor Barnes officially assumed the pastorate of the Historic Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church the first Sunday in January 2013. Pastor Barnes is the youngest Pastor to ever served this 154 year old congregation, the oldest Church of the Union Baptist Association.
Pastor Barnes was elected the 19th Pastor of Sandy Grove Baptist Church in October 2021. He holds this verse in his heart “When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true, fair and bright your home in glory, your enraptured soul will view…” Pastor Barnes has three beautiful children: Aiden, Khloe & Mason.
