Laurie Barber is a semi-retired Baptist Pastor affiliated with Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec. He was formerly the Director of Missional Initiatives with CBOQ. He has ministered in hundreds of churches within Canada and the United States. He helped to establish US and Canadian urban and inter-cultural mission-focus partnerships of churches, particularly with Baptist churches of Virginia, including some affiliated with the US-based Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and with Canada's Toronto Baptist Ministries. Virginia Baptist Association partnerships with Canadian churches included those of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, Dover Baptist Association, NorthStart Church Network, Middle District Baptist Association and the Richmond Baptist Association.

Laurie served as an Area Minister In Manitoba and Saskatchewan with Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (1984-1986) and in the Greater Toronto Area with Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec (1999-2006). He has pastored local churches in Uxbridge (1974-1980), Ontario and Calgary, Alberta (1980-1984), before coming to Toronto to be Senior Pastor of Kingsway Baptist Church in Etobicoke (1986-1999).

In these present, early 'autumn days' of Laurie's life and ministry, he is reflecting on what he's been able to harvest and gather through the years, and on other subjects and avenues in which he continues to have interest. Laurie's interests are wide and varied, even eclectic and he shares here some of the fruit of his ministry, presenting it in attractive and nourishing ways. He invites you to discover this doorway - to your own amazement, amusement and good.

As an author, pastor and teacher, Laurie is an experienced and respected leader among Christian churches in Canada. Having ministered mainly in Canadian Baptist settings, Laurie now serves as an ongoing spiritual consultant and faith-building coach in the Toronto area among all churches and those with spiritual interests (that include the Presence of God in all aspects of creaturely life). More recently, Laurie served interim preaching pastor at Kingsway Baptist Church (February 2014 - April 2016) and you will find some of his sermons their (YouTube assisted) site. Laurie is the founder of Tochar Studios, a ministry that disseminates the wisdom and perspective of his 360-degree in-take and his wise, pointed and focused thinking.

Laurie Barber is a graduate of Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto (BTh-Missions, 1970). He graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts (MDiv 1974) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (now Trinity International University) (DMin 1993), in Deerfield, Illinois. He has ministered internationally – in Germany, Kenya, Lebanon, the United States and throughout Canada.

Laurie has served for over 16 years as a Member of the Board of Arrow Leadership International Ministries. He has visited and traveled in England, Scotland and Ireland in pursuit of his study and understanding of ‘Celtic Mission and Spirituality.’ He has worked in Somali ministry in both Toronto and Kenya, particularly in East Nairobi, Garissa and Dadaab, on short-term projects with Canadian Baptist Ministries, Toronto Baptist Ministries and Toronto Baptist International Services.

Laurie is married to Jane, his wife of over 45 years. They have thee married adult children and three grandchildren.

Laurie’s interests include: blogging, genealogy and N-scale model railroading. He is a skilled musician who plays several instruments. He is also a gifted photographer and  videos creator, as well as a producer of podcasts that capture his sermonic and shorter thoughts and wisdom. He is a master of both mixed and un-mixed metaphor. Laurie loves all sports and is keen about world travel, eager to discover the layers of history, beauty, people and traditions of the places he visits.

Through his role as a key leader and developer of Tochar Studios' ministries and resources, Laurie produces a wide-variety of both traditional and contemporary approaches, including informative and inspirational products and resources that encourage fellow apprentice-disciples of Jesus, as they seek to live out their faith with purpose and joy.

Laurie is a teaching and facilitating leader in missional understanding and praxis and is gifted in helping North American churches respond appropriately and graciously in their welcome and communal integration of various cultures now residing throughout Canada and the United States.

Laurie is known and respected as an informed, winsome and challenging speaker who communicates ancient and contemporary truth in fresh, arresting ways. His insights are both current and deep, distilled from his involvements of over 40 years in many aspects of pastoral, denominational and missional leadership. Laurie’s involvements in the wide areas and activities of local church life as well as his learning in contexts of denominational ministry engagement, along with his years of personal study of Scripture and Theology in concert with his passionate awareness of contemporary issues at each age and stage of his ministry, has helped to make him uniquely qualified to speak into present and future issues confronting North American churches.

Through individual and collective efforts and pursuits, Laurie seeks to bring leadership, inspiration and resources to Christian churches and ministries, through the model of his own life and service, and by encouraging others in their own spiritual pursuits, especially as they consider and seek to live into the claims of the Good News of Jesus, Who came to bring Life - Life in all its fulness.