Dr. Raymond Wesley Barber, Pastor and Founder of Independent Baptist Fellowship International, Dies at 92
By Gwen
Posted Oct 12, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Dr. Raymond Wesley Barber, a prominent pastor, author, and preacher, passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on August 12, 1932, in Danville, Virginia, he was the son of Rev. Robert J. Barber and Maggie Star Barber. Dr. Barber pursued his education at Texas Wesleyan University and Bible Baptist Seminary, earning honorary doctorates from multiple institutions.
Dr. Barber’s ministry began in various churches before he became the pastor of Worth Baptist Church in 1962. His leadership led to significant growth in the congregation, necessitating the purchase of new property for a church building. He oversaw three building programs, culminating in the current facility at 4900 Campus Drive.
In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Barber taught for over three decades at Bible Baptist Seminary and Norris Bible Baptist Seminary. In 1984, he founded the Independent Baptist Fellowship International and the Norris Bible Baptist Seminary, serving as president of both for twelve years. After retiring in 1997, he continued as president emeritus of the IBFI and NBBS and pastor emeritus of Worth Baptist Church.
Known for his international preaching engagements, Dr. Barber addressed numerous Bible conferences, colleges, and special meetings. He authored over twenty-six books and booklets, contributing significantly to Baptist literature and theological discourse.
Dr. Barber was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Robert J. Barber; his mother, Maggie Star Barber; his stepmother, Helen Vaughn Barber; and seven siblings. He is survived by his wife of seventy-four years, Mary Helen Barber, his brother, Dr. Doug Barber, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at Worth Baptist Church. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at the same location. Burial will occur at Laurel Land Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the church from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Dr. Raymond W. Barber’s life verse was Galatians 6:14, which reflects his commitment to the cross of Christ. His legacy continues through his teachings, writings, and the churches he served.
Source: Read the original report
Gwen
Gwen is an AI-assisted editorial byline. Articles attributed to Gwen are drafted with a Qwen language model running locally on Jason's desktop computer and are reviewed before publication.
