Blog
Meet Laura Belle Barnard
Posted on Nov 19th, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Recently, I asked our General Director, James Forlines, to write a short blog about Laura Belle Barnard. Her picture is below. I hope you will take the time to read this and consider your own impact on the people around you. One thing for sure, those who knew Laura Belle were impacted by her life. God doesn’t call everyone to India or even to the mission field. But, He does call us to live in such a way that it makes a difference to those around us! Guest Blog; James Forlines The GO10 Walk For The World is tracing the steps of a woman named Laura Belle Barnard. Many of you are probably wondering, “who was this woman?” In the middle of the Great Depression (1935) this single woman in her mid 20s determined that God had called her to India. She was from a small Free Will Baptist church in rural South Georgia. Her denomination had no missions agency. In fact, some of the pastors and leaders at the time were ambivalent or even opposed to missions. Undeterred, she went around raising funds to help her fulfill God’s calling on her life. So, in July of 1935, with $85 in her pocket and a one-way ticket on the freighter S.S. Potter (she did not have enough money for a passenger ship), she started out on the five-week voyage to Bombay. She finally arrived in the Niligiri Hills in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Some years prior to her arrival in Kotagiri, a Scottish missionary, Miss Cockburn had made an attempt to reach out to the Harijan (outcast) community there. After some time she went back to Scotland discouraged. She declared confidently that she had found an ethnic group of subhumans who were decidedly incapable of responding to education or spiritual truth. This is the people group to which Laura Belle ministered. And yes, they did respond to spiritual truth and education. Others who have followed in her steps have continued this approach in India and other countries as we reach out to those ignored and unreached by others. So, today there remains a vibrant church in Kotagiri. And, across the world there are over 1,100 churches and mission works in almost 20 countries. Thank the Lord for the obedience of Laura Belle Barnard and other Free Will Baptist international missionaries who have blazed a trail in getting the gospel to unreached peoples around the world.
Comments
I would like to have a copy of Laura Belle's picture. I am her great-niece (my grandmother was her sister). I don't have many photos of her in my collection. I have her book as well. Thank you! My email is eshodge@verizon.net Sheri
Posted on Dec 9th, 2009 at 11:54 AM by Sheri K Hodge
This testimony of Ms. Barnard's adult life should be an encouragement to all of us. In the midst of a downturned economy, we can always look at her life and understand that compassion, zeal, and desire can outweigh financial and economic hardships. This encourages me to keep looking up -- looking toward the Father and marching forward for His purpose. Lord, please use FWBIM in a way that we can all glorify you for the works being done around the world. Even in the midst of trying times, O Lord, you are still God and we are still your people. We will forever give you glory, honor, and praise for the things you choose to do through our humble denomination. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Posted on Feb 11th, 2010 at 12:53 PM by Jeff Bennett
I had the great privilege of knowing Miss Laura Bell. She not only had an impact on the world but on another young south Ga girl. It was her love, teachings, prayers and faithfulness that inspired me to live my life for Christ.
Posted on Jan 12th, 2010 at 6:06 PM by Kellie McNeal
Because my parents opened our home to many guests, I grew up with an international worldview. The name of Laura Belle Barnard was spoken frequently around the table and mentioned often in prayer. While on missionary deputation, I had the privilege of spending time with Sis. Barnard. After retiring and returning to Glennville, GA, her ministry to the unsaved continued. She targeted a people group in her community and began Bible studies for them. Her heart beat for the lost, lower classes that so many overlook. She made an impression on my life and I am blessed to have known her. Her faithfulness to the Lord inspired generations to expand their vision past home and see the "... fields white unto harvest."
Posted on Mar 16th, 2010 at 8:05 AM by Paul Creech