The African American community prays for the silencing of guns that are rampant in our neighborhoods. However, there is a “Gunn” that needs to be heard by both men and women, young and old, and Black and White. Reverend Barbara Gunn possesses a voice full of the comfort and wisdom that touches the souls of thousands of people.
It is the teaching, preaching, evangelistic voice of the pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, located in North Versailles, Pa. The anointed messenger of God was honored for 30 years of pastoral care and devotion to God’s people. Services throughout the weekend were rendered by Rev. Charles Mock of the Community Baptist Church, Erie, Pa; Rev. Dr. Ralph Johnson, St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Johnstown, Pa; and Rev. Johnnie Arvie of the Law Street Baptist Church in New Orleans.
“A Milestone Celebration“ banquet, honoring the missionary’s 30 years of preaching and 25 years of pastoring was held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Monroeville. Reverend Dr. J.V.A. Winsett, the man who Rev. Gunn calls “my pastor,” served as the banquet’s guest preacher.
Licensed in 1989 under Rev. Winsett, Gunn became the first woman to lead an established Baptist church in western Pennsylvania. When asked about her reception as a woman within the Christian denomination, the self-assured minister calmly said, “If there was opposition, I did not know it.” Following the “order of God and convinced that His plan on my life was being fulfilled,” she found her position within the Baptist community to be one of amenable acceptance.
Well known for setting up evangelism ministries and classes throughout Pittsburgh and beyond, the accomplished teacher has achieved many other “firsts.”
Worship leader
She has served as the first female director of Evangelism for the Pittsburgh Baptist Minister’s Conference and the first woman deputy executive secretary for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. Her abilities have been instrumental as an instructor for the American Baptist College, faculty member of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and Treasurer for the Pennsylvania State Baptist Convention, to name a few of her achievements.
Reverend Gunn’s first love is, without a doubt, evangelism. With a humbled confidence, she said, “I am an evangelistic teacher, preacher, pastor. Everything I do has an evangelistic theme.”
The unassuming powerful lady, who can easily be identified as a pastor’s pastor, has molded her ministry for 30 years. It all began for her at the First Baptist Church in Vandergrift, Pa., in 1989, where she led the congregation for 11 years. Fifteen years ago, the compassionate reverend accepted the call to grace the pulpit of Mt. Carmel. When asked about the ceaseless amount of time required to fulfill her calling, she was quick to point out that she is “really blessed by the leaders and membership of her church. They understand the purpose of my ministry as well as my community outreach.”
Given the spirit of Christ that emanates from her and gently transmits to anyone in her presence, it is no surprise that she has no limits. She explained it simply: “If our salvation and determination is our focus, we will live Christ in our lives. In spite of “experiencing difficulties and controversy, our center is the keeping power of the Holy Spirit that is always there.”
A native of the Hill District, Rev. Gunn graduated from the Pittsburgh public school system, Allegheny Community College and the University of Pittsburgh. She received her theological training at the American Baptist College and the Geneva College for Urban Ministry.
The religious scholar further obtained her master’s degree in theological studies from Pittsburgh’s Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Always on the move, the former corporate manager would also like to pursue a doctorate in counseling.
“Life is not really life unless governed by God,” she said without hesitation. “Nurture your relationship with God because the best friend you will ever have in life is the Lord. You will never be as happy or effective as when you seek God’s face. Your ultimate definition is your relationship with the Lord. Wherever you are in life, look forward…don’t look back. What is important to God is what is in front of you and not behind you.”
A widow and proud mother of daughter, Kelly McDaniels, Rev. Gunn stated her greatest accomplishment is her amazing daughter and her two beautiful granddaughters, Jule and Faith.
This amazing woman of faith not only embodies the love of Christ but lives and shares that love with the world. Reverend Gunn radiates an assured happiness that comes directly from the center of her heart. There is an honesty, a calmness and a deep-rooted compassion that touches the souls of so many. Therefore, the sound of this “Gunn” must continue to be heard…reaching men and women, young and old, and Black and White.
