The Christmas story.

We've acted it out in church plays, put out nativity scenes on our mantles, and sung carols around the fire.

We've decorated our trees and hung the Christmas star.

The danger we face is familiarity. The story has become so commonplace that it has lost its majesty. We see the manger but overlook the miracle. We exclaim over the nativity but no longer sense the glory.

The night of Jesus' birth was never about sentimentality. It's always been about warfare. His birth is the instant that God announced cosmic warfare wrapped in the flesh of an infant.

The Lion of Judah had arrived as a lamb.

The book you are holding is important because the Christmas story didn't just happen two millennia ago.

He's still drawing us to Him. When He returns, I want to be ready.

Don't you?

Pastor Tim

A Message from the Desk of Tim Barker:

The Christmas story is more than a story.

It is God speaking to mankind.

He is still speaking to us today. It's our job to be still and listen.

Tim R. Barker, D. Min.

About Tim:

Reverend Tim R. Barker is the Network Pastor/Superintendent of the South Texas Ministry Network, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

He is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Ministries/Biblical Studies, with a minor in music. He also received a Master of Arts in Practical Theology from SAGU and received his Doctorate of Ministry Degree from West Coast Seminary.

Reverend Barker was ordained by the Assemblies of God in 1989. He began his ministry in the South Texas District in 1984 as youth & music minister and continued his ministry as Pastor, Executive Presbyter (2006 - 2009) and Executive Secretary-Treasurer (2009 - 2011) in the South Texas District, where he served until his election as the South Texas District Superintendent in 2011.

By virtue of his district office, Reverend Barker is a member of the District's Executive Presbytery and the General Presbytery of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri. He is a member of the Executive Board of Regents for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, Texas, and SAGU-American Indian College, Phoenix, Arizona. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pleasant Hills Children's Home, Fairfield, Texas, as well as numerous other boards and committees.

Reverend Barker and his wife, Jill, married in 1983, have been blessed with two daughters. Jordin and her husband, Stancle Williams, who serves as the South Texas District Youth Director. Abrielle and her husband, Nolan McLaughlin, are church planters of Motion Church in San Antonio. The Barkers have four grandchildren, Braylen, Emory and Landon Williams and Kingston McLaughlin.

His unique style of pulpit ministry and musical background challenges the body of Christ, with an appeal that reaches the generations.