Anniversary of tragedy breathes new life

Coming up on Oct. 13 for Redkey Nazarene Church is a tragic 30-year anniversary that, at the time, shocked a heartbroken congregation and an entire community.

In 1994, I was still quite new at assisting with local Memorial Day ceremonies, Veterans Day ceremonies and military graveside honor guard funeral details.

I had returned home from active duty in the Pacific fleet of the U.S. Navy in 1989 and began helping the guys at the Redkey American Legion post in any capacity needed.

I personally always liked to have a real clergyman, and preferably a veteran, to assist and bless our ceremonial details.

The pastor of Redkey Nazarene Church assisted in this role anytime we asked without any hesitation or delay.

Rev. Jack Barker was a veteran and was a valuable asset to both his own church congregation and the extended community. He was a popular and well-respected man.

On Oct. 13, 1994, he was tragically killed in an accident on U.S. 35 southeast of Muncie.

To say Jack’s loss put Redkey Nazarene Church and our entire community into a state of shock would be an understatement.

Jack was an active and engaged pastor and had years of service left to give, beyond any reasonable doubt.

One of the ladies, who was active in the Redkey American Legion Auxiliary at our American Legion, post had a 15-year-old daughter at the time who was an active member of the Nazarene Church congregation. 

Jack’s loss was a heartbreaking milestone in her young life.

We all took Jack’s death hard.

This story now takes a twist of fate that only God himself could have possibly foreseen.

Fast forward to Sept. 1, 2024. That little 15-year-old girl is now a mother and a pastor’s wife. She has two children of her own that are a bit younger than she was at the time of Jack’s death.

She and her husband were assigned to the Union Chapel Nazarene Church Northwest of Fiat, Indiana.

On Sept. 1, Redkey Nazarene Church hosted a welcoming ceremony service for a new pastor and his family.

Yep, you guessed it, that little heartbroken 15-year-old girl, her dedicated husband and two children are now residents of the same church parsonage that Jack and his wife lived in 30 years ago.

Rev. Fred Stevens and Trisha Stevens are now the pastoral family of the Redkey Nazarene Church and the congregation and community has embraced and welcomed them with open arms.

Jack’s widow even attended the dedication service as they took over.

The fine young lady that was once that heartbroken 15-year-old girl told me that it sure seems weird to live in that church parsonage now.

I suppose everything has its own reason and timeline.

On that date in 1994, no one could have possibly foreseen what would come out of such a tragic day.