Gregory Lynn Barrier
June 9, 1956 - October 9, 2022
Gregory Lynn Barrier (June 9, 1956-October 9, 2022) was born in Salisbury, NC to the late Raymond F. and Grace M. Barrier. He was the youngest of three boys and the first in his family to graduate from college. His father passed away suddenly when Greg was a Junior at UNC-Chapel Hill just before Christmas and his mother passed only 5 years later, so Greg was an adopted son to many families in his early adult life.
Greg received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1979 from UNC-Chapel Hill and worked for one year as a pharmacist in his hometown, but couldn’t shake his calling into ministry. He joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in 1980 where he ministered at various colleges and universities including Ohio State, Kearney State, Appalachian State, UNC-Charlotte, Wingate, Winthrop and focused most of his seventeen years with CRU starting new ministries on campuses in NC, SC, TN and KY, where there was no full-time staff. He served on many summer projects and short-term mission trips including Wildwood, NJ, Gatlinburg, TN, Branson, MO, and overseas in Kenya, Uganda, Thailand, and India. He returned to school and received a Masters of Divinity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 2001 and moved into church ministry. He spent just under three years as Pastor of Discipleship at Bethany Church in Weddington, NC where he loved helping people understand how to make their faith a practical part of their life.
Afterwards he accepted the Senior Pastor role at Grace Church (2004) and was there until just this past April when he stepped down due to health complications. He would say there was no greater privilege than meeting with people one on one to help them grow in their faith. On the side, Greg taught the Worldview Class at Towle Institute for the past 7 years. He continually grew more and more passionate about helping young people understand how the Christian faith compared to other religions of the world and is the only one that is steeped in grace.
Greg met Martha Sherrill in May 1990 in Charlotte, NC and they married 51 weeks later. Together they grew to love and depend on each other only out of God’s grace in their marriage. They have four children who have enriched their lives exponentially: Gregory (Alexis) of Washington, DC, William of Newark, DE, Barbara (Andrew) of Charlotte, NC, and Margaret of Newark, DE. Greg is also survived by his brother Michael Barrier (Joanne) of Myrtle Beach, SC and sisters/brothers-in-law Betty Barrier of Salisbury, NC, Laurie Sherrill Prince (Phillip) of Charlotte, NC, Donna Sherrill Steele (William) of Charlotte, NC, and Tobe Sherrill (Anne) of Greensboro, NC. He is also survived by a myriad of nieces and nephews: Renee Barrier Fowler (Mike), Amy Barrier Bowers (Curtis), Dara McGinn Page (Nash), Tavis McGinn, Kathryn Steele Glazier (Chris), Harrison Steele (Emily), Cameron Sherrill and a great nephew, Joey Fowler, and two great nieces, Miranda Fowler and Sabrina Bowers.
Along with his parents, Greg was predeceased by his brother David F. Barrier of Salisbury, NC.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Helen Graham Cancer Center and the fine people at Bayada Hospice for their care for Greg. And above all they are forever grateful to the congregation of Grace Church for their unbelievable love, prayers, and support certainly for the entire life of Greg’s ministry, but especially during the past year as Greg received a cancer diagnosis.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Grace Church, 355 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Interment will be held privately.
In honor of Greg’s love for reading and studying God’s word, the library at Grace Church will be renovated. Any additional funds will be used to create a terraced space for outdoor gatherings on the church property. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to these projects at Grace Church 355 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711.
Ruth Steidinger
Wrapping you all in love and peace. Greg served His Lord well. ❤️
Tobe Sherrill
One of the 3 best brother’s-in-law ever. Greg will be missed more than family can express. His memory will live on in all that knew him.
Amy, Kurtis &Sabrina Bowers
We will miss your smiling face, Yncle Greg. You were always so strong and happy, and you will be very missed for the rest of our lives.
Mike Nedrow
Greg will be missed greatly as he had a wonderful Godly impact on thousands of both young and old. Rest In Peace my brother!
Pam Monroe Pitt
Dear Martha,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Greg was a kind soul and good friend to Tim back in the day. It makes me smile to imagine their reunion. My heart felt condolences and prayers for you and your family. With love, Pam Monroe Pitt
Donnie Leichman
So sad to hear. Greg was a friend to all in school at NRHS in Spencer NC. He was always kind & a great band leader.
Debbie, Warren, Megan and Ryan Chase
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Megan and Ryan loved having Greg as there teacher for Worldview at Towle Institute. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. We pray you will feel the loving arms of God holding you all so close to him.
Daryl Raper
Met Greg in 1st or 2nd grade and went all through school with him. We did not stay in touch after high school. I was so glad when I heard he had gone into the ministry. He was a person of integrity all his life. It is a comfort to know he has obtained his reward.
Lynne Purvis
Iam so sorry to hear of the passing of Greg. I went to high school with him at North Rowan in Spencer,NC. He was one of my drum majors in the band. He was always so pleasant and so respectful and a very nice guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief and sorrow. May God hold you all in his arms and give you strength.
Susan Kimball
Surrounding you all with prayer and praising God for Greg’s beautiful legacy.
Carolyn Howe
Gary and I are so sorry for your loss–he lived a full and happy life-I did not realize how much he was able to travel and share his love for Christ-he will be missed –he was loved on this earth and he will be loved in heaven–he has many family members waiting for him with open arms–my mother Irene Beaver was Greg’s aunt–I am a cousin
Donna DiCarlo
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Donna and Steve DiCarlo
Joe & Becky Tabasso
We are sending our deepest condolences and holding you all in our prayers.
Solomon S. Yawson (Pastor)
As much as we loved you, Jesus loved you best! Rest in perfect peace!!
Queen and Evan Humes
We will miss you but we know you are in a much better place and smiling down on us right now. Rest in perfect peace our dearest pastor and spiritual father.
Skip Morgan
I would like to send my sincerest heartfelt wishes for comfort and solace to all of Greg’s family and close friends. I grew up with Greg in the Calvary Baptist Church family in Rowan County, North Carolina; I am 6 years younger. My father, Milton Morgan, was Greg’s Sunday School teacher for the teenage boys class, and I experienced some casual friendship with Greg and the other students way back then. Though I lost track of Greg’s promising life through the years, as many do, it is obvious that he was “listening in class” & was touched by a strong foundation in Christ. I like to think that my father had a small role in nurturing this love for Jesus to which Greg dedicated his life. I remember Greg as being kind, gracious and pleasant to all, even youngsters & “pests” like me, and fondly recall his kindness to this day, many years later. Well done, good and faithful servant! “The toils of the road will seem nothing when we get to the end of the way.”
Faith Coco
He will be greatly missed. I am so great full that church recorded his sermons so we can go back and hear his voice and his wise words.
Your in our prayers.
Tessa Bosch
Pastor Greg was an amazing man. He has walked with Christian and I throughout our life and I will never forget the impact that he made. He also baptised our baby Nadia which was such an honor. Can’t wait to see you again!
Andy Campbell
Mike I’m so sorry to hear about your brother you and the family have my deepest condolences.
Michael Mehaffie
Greg was a tender and genuine hearted friend. He loved His Lord and people well. His influence will live on and on. He’s breathing heavenly air.