I was initially connected to Pastor Barry Winston and his son, Nathanial (who’s story will be next) through my friend, Chkwna (yes, my friend has a been a true supporter throughout this entire project haha). Pastor Winston and I had the opportunity to speak over the phone the day before my drive to Richmond, Virginia. This phone conversation blessed me more than I expected. In fact, I’d ended up wiping a tear that had fallen from my eye while sitting in my office at work. You must read his powerful story!

It was this picture I received from my father’s sister. The picture of a young man, no older than 18 years old, dressed in his military uniform. It was then that I began to get a better clarity of the challenges my father must have faced in his life as a young man. I asked my aunt plenty of questions concerning my father’s military service. I soon learned that when he came back from the military, his family said he was never the same. My birth certificate says I was born in Beaverdam, Virginia. I met my biological mother for the first time when I was 10 years old. She came to my foster home crying, saying that “she wanted her baby back.” I remember my foster mother asking me if I wanted to go with her. Not knowing her but feeling sorry for her, I said yes. We walked out of the house and down the front steps while she held my hand. I turned back, looked at the house, snatched away my hand and ran back into the house. I cried and hid for two days. I met my father once while pumping gas at the gas station for my foster mother. She immediately recognized him and said to me, “That’s your father over at the car on the other side of the pump. Go speak to him.” So, I did. He said to me, “I don’t know you.” I remember feeling so ashamed. From what I understand, my parents both had major issues going on in their lives, they were abusive to one another, heavy drinkers, and young.

My story begins as the youngest of 5 children. I was four months old riding with my siblings in a city car with our social worker who was taking us to a short-term emergency foster care placement- the home of a Pastor and his wife. We were to stay with them until a long-term placement could be found, allowing our family to stay together. This Pastor and his wife were the biological parents of 6 adult children and they would care for foster children in their home. They were also the founders of “St. Mark Church of God in Christ” in the north side of Richmond, Virginia. Growing up in the foster-care system and not knowing our biological parents, caused some challenges for us. I started getting into trouble and experimenting with drugs at a young age. The statistics were not favorable for my siblings and I to succeed in life. Out of a sibling group of five- my oldest brother passed away of HIV/AIDS, my only remaining brother passed away of an aneurysm, and my youngest sister passed away from an overdose. My oldest sister and I are the only remaining siblings.

It was while living in the home of this Pastor and his wife, that I began to understand God had a plan for my life. It was in this home where I learned the value of hard work and I saw what a marriage should look like. I was brought up in St. Mark Church of God in Christ. This is where I learned about God’s love for me and the call of God on my life. I remained in that home until I met and married my wife. Today, I am blessed to have a marriage of 34 years and three beautiful children; two sons and one daughter. I was able to meet my biological grandmother on my father’s side of the family before her passing and have gotten to know many of my family members. My father’s siblings have shared portions of my father’s life experience with me. Although I still have many unanswered questions about my past, the picture of my father and the information that has been shared by his siblings have enlightened me concerning his life.

In 1996, my wife and I began a ministry called “Family Restoration,” which was located in the south side of Richmond. We taught classes on marriage, training up children and ministered to families. We were blessed to touch many lives through this ministry and for that, I am grateful. In 2013 I was appointed to pastor the church I was raised in- “St. Mark Church of God In Christ.” It is here that we were task with revitalizing the church. We have now become a strong community partner in Northside Richmond, Virginia, touching the lives of families.

I am grateful to God for having gone through the challenges and trials in my life. The blessings that came out of my pain will forever be greater than the pain was, even as I passed through it. To my Kingly Brothers, the struggles and challenges that we endure in our lives only shines a greater light on our character and purpose.

Pastor Barry Winston - St. Mark Church of God in Christ