Bible College graduate: Julie Barrett, left, and her husband, Desmond Barrett, stand on the campus of the Nazarene College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, following his graduation and the awarding of a bachelor of arts degree in pastoral ministries. Barrett, a member of the ECWCD board of commissioners in Lehigh is holding a white towel which symbolically represents “servanthood.” Said Barrett: “As Christ washed the feet of his disciples before the last supper so too are men and women graduates of Nazarene Bible College reminded that we are servants of the Lord.” Photo provided

It’s been a long time coming, but one of the commissioners on the East County Water Control District has been awarded a bachelor of arts degree in the ministry from Nazarene College. Desmond Barrett is now being addressed as “Pastor Desmond Barrett” by his fellow commissioners and friends.

At last month’s East County Water Control District meeting of the board, a big cake with white icing sat on a table in the back of the room teasing everyone. At the conclusion of the meeting, ECWCD Chairman Nate Stout invited everyone, members of the commission and visitors, to enjoy a slice of cake in honor of Barrett’s recent graduation from Bible college.

Barrett’s desire to obtain a college education began ever since he was elected to the ECWCD in November of 2000.

He completed and was awarded an associate in arts degree in hospitality management in 2003 from Southwest College and another associate’s degree in early childhood education in 2008 from Southwest Florida College. He completed his most recent course of study that earned him the bachelor of arts in ministry in May and took a full load of courses online.

While studying, he worked 40 hours a week and served in public office for more almost 11 years and attended board meetings. He participated in church activities and maintained a family with children.

“Throughout my school life, my wife, Julie Barrett, has been a strong supporter and helper in making my dream of completing my degree a reality,” Barrett said.

“Since we were married on Election Day in 2000, I have been striving toward a bachelor’s degree.”

Barrett said that when he finished high school, he had a “full ride tuition” and books scholarship to Edison College

“After a year and a half, I flunked out because I was spending more time working than in my studies. My wife knew my desire when we got married to achieve a degree and through her help I went to night school while working full time and trying to keep up a family life with a mix of politics added in,” Barrett said.

His wife, Julie, also had a “mix of politics” added in her life as she served a term as a member of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District board of commissioners.

“In 2003 I became the first in either of our families to graduate college. But my desire for a bachelor of arts still persisted. Through all the ups and downs of the last decade, God has enabled me to achieve my dream,” Barrett said.

And come this fall, he plans to enroll in a master’s program at Trevecca Nazarene University in Organizational Leadership as his major.

“My grandmother, Paulette Hunt, instilled in me the value of an education, and through my wife’s encouragement, I still persist on to be who God wants me to be,” he said.

Barrett said since graduating from Nazarene Bible College of Colorado Springs, Colorado, he is now taking steps to find his first church within the denomination of the Church of the Nazarene and he hopes to hear something in the next few weeks.

“I’m applying and getting my name out there and hopefully will get an offer to preach,” he said.

Desmond spoke highly of the Nazarene Bible College.

“The college exists to glorify Jesus Christ as Lord by preparing adults to evangelize, disciple, and minister to the word. Since 1967, Nazarene Bible College has fulfilled its mission of preparing men and women for the ministry,” Barrett said.

Nazarene Bible College is one of 10 Nazarene institutions of higher education in the United States. It is one of the two institutions charged by the denomination with the relatively exclusive task of preparing ministers.

The college is accredited by both the High Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 2006, and the commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), 1976.

“I take from my time at NBC, as the school is also referred to, the joy of understanding the Lord’s word in a more deeper and meaningful way,” Barrett said.

He noted that in the book of St. John, Chapter 15:5, it states: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.”

Barrett said that as he leaves Nazarene Bible College, he is praying that he remains in Christ and Christ within him.

Barrett is usually called on to offer a prayer at the beginnings of each of the East County Water Control board meetings.

When and if a congregation offers Barrett a job minister of a church, Barrett says he and his family are ready to move away from Lehigh Acres.

And that would mean a resignation from the ECWCD, too. Some of his previous experience in the work force has been as head of a daycare center in Immokalee.

“This is something God has called me to do and I am going to glorify him with my future endeavors,” Barrett said.