SENIOR PASTOR DR. LUTHER BARNES
Luther Barnes, though quiet and unassuming in person, is a musical and ministerial force. Through years of performing with The Sunset Jubilaires, The Red Budd Gospel Choir, and The Restoration Worship Center Choir, he has become one of gospel music’s premier male vocalists.
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Luther graduated from St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he developed into a truly remarkable soloist, pianist, vocal arranger and songwriter. While in college he formed a gospel group, “The Peace and Harmony Singers,” which traveled and represented the College at various occasions.
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Awarded a B.A. in Music Education, Luther began to make his mark on the world by teaching high school music at his alma mater in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and at elementary and junior high schools in Nash/Edgecombe County. Combining his love for teaching, love for music and his dedication to the gospel music ministry, he provided piano and voice lessons to an extensive list of private clients and church choirs.
While continuing to write, arrange and perform his own music, he wrote for and performed with various major gospel artists. He expanded his musical experiences to include performing in Off-Broadway plays, and he initiated and produced the Annual North Carolina Fall Gospel Classic which takes place during the month of October in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
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Feeling an urge to branch out and explore new musical territory, on April 16, 2002 Luther released his most adventurous project to date, his debut solo effort for Atlanta International Records entitled, “Come Fly With Me.” While he loved performing with other artists, this project granted him an opportunity to express new ideas. “It allowed me the flexibility to explore the various sides of Luther Barnes from a musical perspective.”
The Gospel music industry has also recognized Luther’s work. In 1992, Luther received the “Vision Award” presented by the BET Network’s Bobby Jones Gospel Show and Score (now Gospel Today) magazine. Luther has also received nominations for the “Stellar” and “GMWA Excellence Award” for his work on the Barnes Family 1999 release, “A Live Reunion,” and for “Best Traditional Male Vocalist” for years 1998 - 2001. On May 6, 2003 Luther received the “Truth Magazine Award” for “Best Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year” in Las Vegas, Nevada. In Tampa, Florida on August 13th, Luther was presented the “GMWA 2003 Excellence Award” for “Best Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year.” On February 8, 2004 Luther received the Grammy Nomination for “Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album,” for It’s Your Time, in Los Angeles, California. On January 15, 2005 in Houston, Texas, Luther received the “Stellar Award” for “Traditional CD of Year,” for It’s Your
Time. In that same year he received the “Gospel Heritage Award” and was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan.
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When we hear the name Luther Barnes we think of Gospel Music. We know him as the author of great songs like “I’m So Satisfied,” “I’m Still Holding On,” “It’s Your Time,” “You Keep on Blessing Me,” and “God’s Grace.” Now, we know him as a teacher and minister of the Gospel. He was dedicated to God at birth, raised in the church, trained for the ministry at his father’s knee, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very early age. Luther Barnes was destined for the ministry. After many years of prayer and study, in 2006 Luther Barnes took that step to expand his music ministry to become an ordained minister. In 2014, the Lord called Luther Barnes to Pastor his own church by the name of Restoration Worship Center located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
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Luther Barnes knows the power of music and the anointing that comes from God. He is a visionary who holds up the triumphant heritage of Gospel music. His motto remains: "With God All Things are Possible".
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He is the father of two daughters, Bonita Greene and Kimberly Davis.
ASSISTANT PASTOR MELVIN BARNES
He serves as the President and Founder of MelMar Transportation Services, located in Raleigh, NC. For over 25 years, his company was well-known in the Motor Coach Charter Industry with a fleet of six motor coaches.
He has obtained Eldership in the body of the United Holy Church of America under the late Bishop W.E. Fields. In the body of and the Church of God in Christ under Bishop Charles E. Blake. He received his Master of Theology degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. The satellite host was located in Nashville, NC under The Nashville Praise and Worship Center Church. He sat at the foot of great leaders including his father the late Bishop F.C. Barnes, founder of the Red Budd Holiness Church in Rocky Mount, NC and his spiritual father Bishop Patrick Wooden, Pastor of the Upper Room C.O.G.I.C. Raleigh, NC.
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He is currently the Assistant Pastor of the Restoration Worship Center located in Rocky Mount, NC. He and his brother established this church and currently celebrates its tenth year. Since its inception, he has worked diligently with his brother, Pastor Luther Barnes, in helping the lost, the hopeless, and the destitute rebuild, recover and be restored with confidence, guidance giving them a mindset to succeed.
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He was married for 38 years to the love of his life, Evangelist Martha Barnes, a young, beautiful and powerful woman of God. God’s ultimate plan called her home on Nov. 20, 2017. They have one daughter Michelle. She is a minister of the gospel, an awesome worship leader, a songwriter and an author. She currently lives in Winston Salem, NC.
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His testimony is “I am a servant of God and His word declares in John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Thus saith the Lord.”
Born 3rd son of the late Willie Mae and Gospel Music Legend Bishop F.C. Barnes, Melvin began his early childhood being exposed to music, traveling and the word of God. As a young boy, he witnessed the power of God on the life of his father and mother which set his destiny and purpose in motion.
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Musically, he has recorded several projects, written and composed songs for his brother Luther Barnes, his cousin Deborah Barnes, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and many others. Titles include, but are not limited to: “I came to Jesus”, “Spirit Fall Down”, “Abide”, “All about the Lord” and “Carry Me”. In addition, he has been featured on various projects such as Barnes Family Reunion I and II, F.C. Barnes and Company, and Luther Barnes’ 2016 release, “God’s Grace”.
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He serves as the President and Founder of MelMar Transportation Services, located in Raleigh, NC. For over 25 years, his company was well-known in the Motor Coach Charter Industry with a fleet of six motor coaches.
