Rev. Joe Barnhill was born and raised in Currie-Montague, North Carolina. He received the Holy Ghost on March 25, 1970 and was baptized in Jesus Name on November 1st of that same year. He moved to Butte, Montana on May 31, 1975 and while in Montana he met Sis. Dalene Fennell where they were married, on April 3, 1976. While living in Montana, he was very dedicated to the work of God, willing to serve by cleaning, making & selling peanut brittle, serving as a youth and song leader, or whatever the need, he was there. Bro. Barnhill is very passionate about spreading the message of salvation to others and began his first ministry called “Spread the Bread.” Through this ministry thousands of cassette tapes of preaching were mailed all over the world including many going to those serving in the military. He was involved in many outreach events through door knocking, marathon walks through Great Falls, hosting events at the Great Falls Convention Center, and many others.
After relocating to North Carolina, God began to open doors and move Bro. Barnhill’s life to a new level. August 1992, Bro. Barnhill founded the Apostolic Way Church in Lagoon, North Carolina where he first became a pastor. In August 1998, he also founded the Apostolic Lighthouse Tabernacle Church in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He continues to pastor both churches, Sunday afternoon and Thursday evenings in Lagoon, and Sunday morning and evening, Tuesday and Friday evenings in Laurinburg. In 2002, the “Spread the Bread” ministry was expanded when the Apostolic Circle of Friends Live Recording Project began.
Throughout his life he has shown a strong level of faith, knowing that God will provide and perform a miracle in whatever the situation needs. He enjoys giving Bible studies to those seeking to obtain a better understanding of the Bible, and sharing the word of God with others to let them know there is a better way. Not only does he feed people spiritual food, but can be found in the kitchen cooking up something good to eat. He is full of compassion always willing to help others
Sis. Dalene Barnhill was born in Vernon, Texas and lived in several states through the years growing up. As a child she spent many years under the ministry of Rev. Samuel White in Bellflower, California and later under the ministry of her father, Rev. Wayne Fennell, when he first became a pastor in Indio, California. In September of 1962, while living in Oregon, she received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus Name in June of 1963. In 1967, her family moved to Marysville, Washington where they lived for several years until 1972, when her father accepted a position as pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Great Falls, Montana.
She began teaching Sunday School at the age of twelve. She took up making peanut brittle for the church, a talent she learned from her father. During the winter months she continues the tradition making brittle to raise money for different projects at the church. In 1992, she became a pastor’s wife when her husband became pastor of Apostolic Way and then in 1998, Apostolic Lighthouse Tabernacle. Along with being a great pastor’s wife, she has also taught Sunday School throughout the years, and works in many different areas of the church. In 2011, she graduated from Sandhills Community College with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Together they make a beautiful team lead by God to serve others in their walk with God and to give encouragement to many both locally and out of town