Reverend Orstell L. Barnett is the Pastor of the Faith Temple Christian Church of Winchester, Virginia. In January of 2001, God led him and his family to join First Baptist Church of Sterling, Virginia. God's plan at that time was to have him use his gifting, skills and talents to support the mission and vision of the Church in the areas of teaching and program administration. He was elevated by his Pastor to the position of Director of the New Members Ministry in March of 2001 and in 2003 added the roles of Director of the Men's Ministry and Christian Education.
Pastor Barnett answered his calling into the Gospel ministry to proclaim the Word of God under the anointed and dynamic leadership of Bishop Leslie Patterson, Jr. Pastor Barnett was ordained after successfully completing the Minister's Training and Leadership Development Program. Pastor Barnett was called to the pastorate of the Faith Temple Christian Church in Winchester, VA in 2006.
He is a man who passionately pursues the promises of God and believes that Faith in God is the answer life's challenges. He believes that all things done for Christ should be in a spirit of excellence and as unto the Lord.
Pastor Barnett was born in Gastonia, NC and was raised by his grandfather who instilled core values such as faith in God, hard work, educational excellence, integrity, dedication and the importance of setting and reaching goals.
He attended Ashbrook High School where he excelled in sports and academics. In the fall of 1981, he continued his academic study at Gardner-Webb University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and was a four year letterman in Football. In addition, he received the prestigious President's Award for Academic Excellence as the male athlete with the highest grade point average at his college, as well as being selected as an Academic All-American. In the fall of 2003, he was inducted in the Gardner-Webb University Gallery of Distinguished Alumni for his professional achievements and community involvement. Pastor Barnett hasa served as a member of the Gardner-Webb University Board of Directors. He is also currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree, with a concentration in Christian Education at Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary .
Pastor Barnett has over 25 years of executive and leadership experience in the areas of strategic planning, business development and client relationship management. He has also been a lecturer at several universities, providing insight to undergraduates in the areas of business management and leadership, as well as leading elementary and middle school partnerships to aid in the inspiration and development of our next generation of leaders.
Pastor Barnett truly believes that "to whom much is given, much is required" and this is why he loves to serve God by Pastoring and leading people.
Pastor Barnett and his wife First Lady Robin T. Barnett have three children and live in Winchester, VA.
