Pastor Barber was raised in a pastor’s home and trusted Christ personally at an early age while his father was planting a church in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in Bible (’03 and ’06) and met his wife Dana while at college. They have 7 children, Nathan Jr., Micah, Charity, Gracelyn, Emma, Caleb, and Joshua.
In 2008 the Lord opened the door to assist Pastor Bryce Hager at Fellowship Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina. God used Pastor Hager to spark the Barbers’ interest in starting a church in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.
Through much prayer and pastoral counsel, the Barbers became convinced that God was calling them into church planting. In 2012 an opportunity arose to start a church in Shorewood, Illinois as a church planting work of Woodridge Baptist Church, which was pastored by Pastor Matthew Barber.
The Barbers moved to Shorewood in June of 2013, and have greatly enjoyed living in this beautiful, friendly town. With the help of the Lord and many like-minded churches and individuals, the Shorewood Baptist Church was launched in October of 2013.
After meeting in schools for 8 years, the church purchased 4,000 square feet of space in Joliet in 2022. The church is flourishing in the new space! The Barbers are thankful for God’s provision.