Apostle A.P. Barker
Dr. A.P. Barker accepted her calling as Pastor in the early 1980s and was ordained by the Full Gospel Association. She established Faith Tabernacle WORLD Ministries in the greater Seattle area with a vision to spread the uncompromising gospel. Dr. Barker holds various certificates, educational awards and community acknowledgements. She sits on several boards and is heavily involved in the community and government affairs. She was married and granted the high call of motherhood and is “Nana” to her grandchildren.
Dr. Barker began her education at the American Institute of Banking, Highline College, and Seattle Central Community College. She continued on to Western Washington University, Seattle University, and the Bishop A.L. Hardy Academy of Theology, where she received the President's award in 2006 and later earned her Doctorate of Religious Education in 2007. In 2008, Dr. Barker earned her ThD and Christian Teaching Certificate.
In the early 1990s, she received recognition from President Clinton as one of the first inner city AmeriCorp members. As an AmeriCorp member, she was commissioned to establish the Resource Mothers program, which helped pregnant teen mothers. She has also testified before the State Legislature in regard to foster care system changes. This has led her to work tirelessly in the training and support of foster parents.
Dr. Barker established Hand In Hand Community Development, a community-based organization with a goal to educate and provide resources to the community. Her labor of love was evident, as she spent many hours preparing what she calls “Jesus bags”, containing clothes and food for the street ministry serving the homeless and destitute.
Dr. Barker’s influence in the community and beyond reaches many lives. God has blessed her to gain a ministerial partnerships around the world including Jamaica, Mexico, Senegal, and others. Her work has touched countless lives.
If you remember nothing else about Dr. Barker, keep this in mind: she is saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. Salvation is her greatest gain and she holds it as her highest gift that God would allow her to be his servant.
Apostle A.P. Barker and son Pastor Donald Barker
Dr. Barker believes the apostle Paul said it best in the Book of Philippians:
“but what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”
The family business
Simply put, the Travis family business is Kingdom business. Apostle A.P. Barker and Pastor Donald Barker are carrying on the legacy of Dr. Edna E. Travis, founder of New Covenant Pentecostal Church. She was one of the first Black female pastors in Tacoma and will always be remembered for her generous spirit and positive impact to the Tacoma community and beyond.
Please visit drednaetravis.org to learn more about this visionary leader.