Pastor Ries Barlow

I was born into a Christian home where my parents regularly took us to church. At the age of 5, I professed Christ as my Savior, a decision which was confirmed in my early twenties. I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Marketing, and for the next 26 years I worked in the corporate world in various sales, sales support, and customer service positions. I also served my local church in whatever capacity was needed: a Deacon; Sunday School teacher; Neighborhood Bible Club leader; Vacation Bible School teacher; and Nursery Worker. 

I met my wife, Chrissy, through mutual friends and we were married in 2009. The Lord has blessed us with four daughters: Mercedes, Louise, Evelyn, and Jennifer. 

While I was in my mid-40s, the Lord called me into the ministry. I graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Bob Jones University, and began a rigorous 21-month internship with a church in NY. In December 2022, Macomb Baptist Church called me to be their next pastor. I was installed on March 4, 2023. 

My philosophy of ministry is tied into the foremost goal of the Church,

to be the praise unto His glory (Ephesians 1:12). This is accomplished through obeying God’s Word – specifically, the Great Commission, i.e. evangelizing the lost and discipleship of believers. I have a great burden to shepherd the congregation through the careful teaching and expository preaching of God's Word. The goal is to build up the body of Christ for the work of the ministry. Furthermore, it is to present every person complete in Him to fill its commission – to make disciples of every nation.