H7 Story: Meet the Barnes Family

Jim and Laurie Barnes have served with Open Door Libraries for the past 24 years, where they established and operate a public Christian library and community center in the heart of the capital city of the Czech Republic!! As a tool for outreach and evangelism, the Library provides a place where people can come and explore the truth of Christianity and grow in their faith and understanding of God.

Meet Jim & Laurie Barnes
Laurie Barnes grew up in Pennsylvania. However, she spent some of her young adult years in Greeneville, TN, and it was actually while attending First Christian Church that Laurie came to know Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.

Laurie married Jim Barnes, and the combination of their educational and personal passions would carve the way toward their future in the Czech Republic. Jim got his PhD at the University of Toledo with an emphasis in Modern European History. Laurie received her Masters in Library Science and wrote her MA thesis on training and educational needs in small international libraries. Her goal was to improve library services as well as support others who might have a similar vision to establish a Christian library or utilize books in ministry in different parts of the world.

According to the Barnes’ website, “God provided the original vision for a Christian library in November 1990 when Willard Black, Executive Director of the Institute for Christian Resources, began to prayerfully pursue the possibilities and means to provide much needed Christian resources in the former Soviet Bloc countries.”

In the summer of 1994, Jim and Laurie made an exploratory trip with Willard to Prague. They were able to meet and talk with various Christian leaders and observe the spiritual landscape of the city. God provided the clear confirmation of the need and desire for the establishment of a public Christian library. The goal was relatively simple and straightforward: establish a long-term commitment of sharing Christ through a new found “ministry of books.”

In 1999, the library was officially opened and dedicated. Over the years, the building has been used for much more than just a library. They host lectures on a variety of topics like Biblical studies, marriage, family and parenting, counseling, world religions, Christianity and the arts, leadership development, and business ethics. They also conduct workshops for personal finance and provide small group training for church leaders and pastors. In addition, community members can attend English classes for beginners and intermediates. Jim has also offered 6-week Theological English courses designed to help those who have good English skills.

Recently, Jim and Laurie offered something new at the library. “This summer we hosted our first English Day Camp -- and what a truly amazing time it was!!” Jim and Laurie wrote in their last letter. “Each day included focused teaching times, fun group games and lots of individual conversations that allowed for building relationships. After the English lessons each morning, followed by lunch, there was also a time of worship, sharing testimonies, and a Bible story leading to everyone hearing the Gospel on the final day!!”

While the English Day Camp was a new offering, programs for children are a key part of the weekly normal at the library. They offer programs like “Kidz Life Story Hour” on Saturdays and “Time for Tales preschool program” on Wednesday mornings. The library also hosts after school kids’ clubs throughout the school year and Bible studies and worship services.

FCC is incredibly honored to support Jim and Laurie in their mission to bring the gospel to those in Prague through books! Your giving is part of why we can make a difference in their ministry. For more information about this amazing couple and their programs, please visit their personal website at: https://czechbarnes.weebly.com