by Mark Milioni
On June 1, Barb and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Just a few weeks after that day in 1985, we packed our little Toyota and moved to the campus of Baptist Bible College to begin our journey, and like you, we had no idea of what the following decades would bring.
Following our graduation in 1988, I was soon thrust into being the senior pastor of my home church. So not only did our church have a rookie pastor but also a rookie pastor’s wife. We had no idea what we were doing, but God began to bless and bless.
Since those early days, Barb has been an example of godly love, kindness, and class to literally thousands of other women. As a pastor’s wife she has never — never — been a bad example, said an unkind word, or hurt anyone. She has been the most kind, unselfish, humble, loving, and helpful example of a Christian and pastor’s wife I could ever imagine possible.
She doesn’t sing or play the piano, but for 25 years “Miss Barb” found her favorite ministry leading the little ones. Hundreds of boys and girls looked forward to their favorite day of the week because they would get to see “Miss Barb.” They would call out her name and run to her, getting a hug and telling her something important. Our church grew because of this ministry — the quality, the teaching, the safety, and the care they experienced made parents confident their little ones were protected and loved. Under her care, every one of those precious little ones knew that Jesus loved them, that God created the world, and that they were special.
She has excelled as a loving wife, a mom to four, and in the role as a pastor’s wife. She has been a tremendous example of a believer filled with joy, love, peace, gentleness, and kindness. Please know we have had our struggles as everyone else — losing our parents while young, losing a child, going through life-threatening illness, numerous building programs, and just dealing with a growing church is a busy hard life, but through it all I have been blessed with a loving wife that constantly encourages and believes in me.
I alone get to see the time she spends with God and in His Word. I know her love and care for her Lord, her husband, her kids, and grandkids, and now I watch her love on your students here at Baptist Bible College. You can be very confident in the example and love our young ladies are privileged to have.
There is no doubt that in our movement we have failed to properly honor and recognize the women that have made this entire ministry — BBC and the BBF — possible. So I share this to acknowledge that this is not just about Barb, but about ministry wives all over the country and the world. Thank you, ladies.
I am blessed far beyond what I deserve and could never put into words the depth of my love. Thank you “Miss Barb,” I love you.