Barbie Jared

Growing up in alcoholism and abuse, Barbie Jared met Jesus at the very young age of six. Her relationship with Him would be her salvation on many different levels. Devouring the Word of God from the time she could read brought not only comfort, but instilled Truth in a world filled with fears and pain. Barbie was always the class clown and laughter was not only her passion, but her coping mechanism. Experiencing tremendous grief, guilt, and loss when her best friend was shot and killed by his mother, who then took her own life, Barbie had her first encounter with death, depression and thoughts of suicide. Through the next few years, she lost several other friends in various tragedies.

Barbie married when she was 18 and also began a very successful career with the federal government, working primarily with veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She had three miracle sons in five years. However, her dreams of the perfect marriage with the white picket fence were swallowed up in the reality of a broken marriage. Substance abuse replaced the peace and comfort she previously received from her relationship with Christ.

After almost ten years, depression, anxiety, fears and thoughts of suicide consumed Barbie's life as she began to deal with the pain of her childhood and the reality of her present life filled with feelings of worthlessness, abandonment, and failure.

Completely and utterly broken, Barbie turned control of her life back over to The One it had always belonged to.

Barbie remarried and the last ten years of her journey have been devoted to telling the Story of a God that is big enough to clean up anyone, anywhere. Convinced there is nothing darker than a Christian not walking in the Light, Barbie has counseled hundreds of believers in the grace and mercy of God.

Barbie owned a Christian Childcare Center for 68 children outside of Carson City, NV. Jacob's Ladder was actually right across the street from a brothel. Barbie's passion and boldness only grew as God continued to bring beauty from the ashes of her life. She pioneered a program to take the Gospel to juvenile offenders in Carson City, preaching and teaching for four years. The program continues today.

After moving back to OK in 2003, Barbie continued her work in Early Childhood, overhauling a childcare program for Head Start. After her Father's amazing journey to faith and fight with cancer, Barbie began to work with Hospice. She was ordained and now serves as a Hospice Chaplain and Grief Counselor. She ministers at the local Homeless Shelter and speaks for women's ministries and recovery programs.

Barbie lives in Ft. Gibson, OK with her husband Mark and children.