John Barber was born at Rochford Hospital, just outside the City of Southend, UK (40 miles east of London) in 1951. He grew up and has lived in Southend for most of his life, and has traveled widely. He settled back, based in Southend, from 1983 and is now living with Jolly (his wife) and their cat (Mischief). They have one son – Matthew. They also have a home they share with their Indian family in Trivandrum, India, where they visit when they can. He holds three degrees: BA (Hons.), B.Sc. (Hons.) and PGCE. He has had three careers: secondary school science teacher, software engineer and computer consultant (including 12 years running his own business) and community worker, and has been involved in serving the community, in a wide variety of ways. He has been doing this in a near full time (some paid; but often unpaid) capacity since 2001. He is active in his local church – Providence Baptist. Now retired and limited activity wise due to a disability that has worsened in recent years, he tries to keep up with his community, church and writing interests, thankful that the good Lord has blessed him.

John with his “India” family – 2012

He is now “retired” but remains a gospel preaching, community activist, watchman on the wall. He has some health issues but is grateful to God for being able to make a difference. He reflects on his past wide ranging activities and observations as a Christian involved in the wider community in his book: “Outside the Camp” – which was intended at telling his story and setting the record straight, and to encourage current and future community activists. He has written other books and papers. Many can be found in electronic form that are freely available as downloads from this website (check out the Writings page for details). His “Covid lockdown” project was to write Prophets of the Bible. His recent writing projects have included writing three months worth of daily meditations on Solomon’s three books of the Bible, followed by an in-depth consideration of the Kings and Priests of the Bible and their significance. These three books can both be freely downloaded from this website and be purchased from Amazon and the like.

He has latterly stepped down as chair of the Southend homeless action network (SHAN), and chair of Street Spirit but continues to supports various projects and individuals concerned with homelessness and other social justice matters. He is involved in his own local church, including as a teacher of the Old Testament and, having served many years as an elder in a Plymouth Brethren assembly, these days he is a member of a Grace Baptist church. He works with churches and Christian initiatives wider afield, regardless of denominational label (he is interested in the real thing and enjoys fellowship with any who love the Lord, as well as believing churches have an important part to play serving the community), while remaining strongly Bible based and Reformed in his theology with charismatic sympathies. While he is anti woke in his approach, he recognises there are important social justice issues that ought not be ignored. He is interested in End Times prophecy, taking a futurist, pre-millenialist view on unfulfilled prophecy and supportive of Israel, although he does not agree with all Israel does.

He writes and blogs regularly. He has a particular interest in and love for India, where he has family and friends, visiting when he can. He takes an interest in and commentates on today’s culture wars, current affairs, religious matters, world events, Israel / Judaism and the Middle East / Islam, the war in Ukraine and hot potato subjects like Covid vaccines, climate change and the LBGT agenda, and is a critical friend of Jews and Muslims alike. He reads widely (especially the Bible) and remembers walking in the great outdoors (a lot more restricted these days due to physical disability). He follows sports especially cricket, plays chess and reflects on news from various sources (although less so mainstream which he is skeptical concerning). He is interested in politics worldwide while being politically neutral. He sees his role as being a gospel preaching, community activist, watchman on the wall (whose job was/is to warn people of impending danger. He sees us now as living in perilous times and longs for a vibrant church and spiritual revival.

Back to the website – it is, as the strap line at the top the page says, under the author’s mug shot, a place to deposit (some at least) of the “thoughts, publications, activities and interests of John Barber“, which he updates when opportunity, especially the blog section. Most of the content can be accessed via the tabs below the strap line. It was envisaged the website will be regularly updated, which has been largely the case, especially the blog (the main feature of the website). While he has strong views on many topics, he tries to respect the views of others recognizing we all have differing perspectives, many of which are valid. The number of blog entries is 2424 (at the time of this “About” update) and covers a wide range of subjects and is intended as a commentary on his times from his perspective as a gospel preaching community activist wanting to provide balanced insights, albeit based on his own theological understanding and interests. This undertaking he sees as his “party piece” and his contribution in response to God’s call on his life.

In his role as a watchman, he is concerned not just with some of the significant goings in the world but also that people should be aware and respond appropriately, especially his main constituency – the Christian church. There is a lot of good things happening too as well as more fun stuff worth considering, which for the sake of balance is also covered. He posts typically two or three times a week on topical subjects, including the two considered taboo in certain polite circles – politics and religion, on topics that happen to capture his imagination, as well as “fun stuff” and engages regularly in dialogue that is relevant and respectful, e.g. via social media (Facebook if not censored and X). He realises there is much he doesn’t know, that is best left for others but, given we live in turbulent times, we can’t ignore. He is committed to serve God’s mystery: the Church. He knows he is far from perfect and his days are numbered, due to age and health issues, but is committed to playing his part building God’s kingdom, including pointing people to Christ, giving God glory and passing the baton to the next generation of God’s servants.

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About the Writings: this is an opportunity to access the author’s main writings over many years and are available as free downloads. Some are these are books that can be purchased in paper form.

About the Blog: New entries are added regularly (typically 2-3 times a week) on a huge range of subjects, covering religion, politics, current events and assorted personal interests. The number of entries is now now well over 2000. People are invited to comment and do. The blog makes extensive use of hyperlinks – so things referred to on the world wide web or on this website can be more readily accessed. While often what is shared is controversial evidenced by often good people disagreeing, Each entry tries to focus on facts and says so when it is an opinion that is offered.

About SHAN: this related to an organisation that deals with some of the author’s main community activist interests, especially around homelessness, and it contains some helpful links and resources e.g. the latest rough sleeper leaflet and details of meetings. It is now no longer maintained and points to the current SHAN website.

About the Gospel: as one who has been called to preach and sees it as his most important activity, it seemed appropriate to the author that he could do just that using his website. It is a brief, direct, no nonsense, no frills presentation of the most important message ever!

About About: nothing more to say – this page is it and has been produced to help visitors navigate their way around this website.

About Links: this relates to the main websites (all currently maintained) regularly accessed by the author, in particular those used when setting up this website. Each website address is pointed to along with a short description. We have checked out each link and confirm they work and the information is currently being updated. The author recognises there are many other useful links to do with community etc., he refers to on at least an intermittent basis.

About News: this provides information about things going on in the author’s life, things he is involved with and things he would like to plug. It was intended to prefix items of interest on a regular basis as matters arise, although it has been a bit hit and miss thus far!

While he won’t commit to having protracted dialogues, he welcomes respectful and meaningful exchanges, including responding to feedback and questions, even from and with those who disagree with him. The author is of the view that the overriding consideration ought not be pride, prejudice or eloquence but rather righteousness, truth and justice, along with meekness, humility and grace. He is all for respectful, intelligent and engaging dialogue.

Note: for those not familiar with hyperlinks, this technique is used in many websites – you place your mouse cursor over highlighted or underlined text, left mouse click and, providing it corresponds to a valid Internet address, up pops a page of information etc. relating to that text. Hyperlinks have been used extensively in this website and what a boon it is when providing more information! (Experiment: move your cursor over the word “hyperlinks” and click your left mouse button to find out more on this subject. Afterward, click on the left arrow at the top of the screen to return to where you were).

You can contact John Barber by email at: jjandm.barber@blueyonder.co.uk

You can also telephone him in the UK on 07710 134935 (send a message if no reply as he picks up on those sent). He also has a WhatsApp and a Telegram presence. He is a regular Facebook user and posts and comments regularly (https://www.facebook.com/john.barber.3956) and he also has an active ‘X’ account.

last updated 28 February 2025