HISTORICAL VIGNETTE: The legacy of Elroy Barber

Elroy Barber (1945-2001) was born September 8, 1945, in Sarah, Miss. The eldest of three children, Barber was raised and educated in Buffalo, N.Y. He attended Barry University, Stetson University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Logos Bible College and Seminary.

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Barber was with Riverside Christian Ministries of Miami, from 1981-1995. He was teacher, counselor, preacher, and community agent for good in this period of ministry. From 1985 to 1993 he was pastor of Brothering Help Church, a mission of First Baptist Church, North Fort Lauderdale.

He was pastor of Westside International Baptist Church, Hollywood, and New Creation Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, at the time of his death in 2001.

Barber was a pastor leader and denominational servant. He served on the Florida Baptist State Convention State Board of Missions and in many capacities in the associational, state convention, and Southern Baptist Convention ministries. He served as vice president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1998 and as president in 1999. He was ordained by the Lauderdale Manors Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale. He and his wife, Paulette E. Grice, had two sons; Terrence and Daryl.

Barber was an innovator. He started such ministries as “100 Gospel Men,” daycare in the inner city, leadership development, prison ministries, and mentor training.

The first African American to serve as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention (1999), Barber was well respected as a hard worker, team player, and great preacher and pastor. He had previously served as first vice-president of the convention. Barber served in numerous denominational posts. He served as moderator of the Gulf Stream Association and was chosen by the North American Mission Board as a church starter of the year. In the Florida Baptist State Convention he received the John and Nancy Sullivan Multicultural Leadership Award and the Mac J. Williams Memorial Warrior Award.

Barber was best known in the Florida Baptist State Convention as a church starter. He and his congregations had a role in starting 29 new congregations in Florida. His ministry was Holy Spirit-led and ministry- based.

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