This week, we learned that Toni Flanders is the primary caregiver for her husband and would not be able speak for our Joyful heart Conference this spring. God blessed our first call for a replacement speaker for the conference, and we are very excited about having Claudia Barba with us again.  She was our speaker seven years ago, and she was outstanding.

Claudia and her husband Dave have “Press On Ministries” which includes podcasts by Dave, and the Monday Morning E-mail Club for ladies by Claudia and many other ministries.

Here is a bit about the Barbas in their own words.

We have been married and in full-time church planting ministry almost 50 years. I hold a B.A. (Christian Education), M.A. (Theology) and DSMin (Ministry). Claudia holds a B.A. (English) and M.A. (Teaching).

Press On! Ministries has grown out of our experience in church planting. In 1974, we planted Falls Baptist Church in Menomonee Falls, WI. God built a church, school, radio broadcast, and missionary outreach. After 12 years there, we entered itinerant evangelism and had a fruitful family ministry for 9 years conducting revival meetings in the USA and on mission fields. In 1995, we left our traveling ministry to plant a second church, Trinity Baptist Church of Franklin, TN (Nashville suburb).

By 2001, we had built a building in Franklin and called a new pastor. In 2001, we started Press On! Ministries to help with all stages of church planting and growth. Since 2001, we have helped plant about 30 churches in the USA. We now use phones, door hangers, social media, and direct mail to get the word out about the new church.

When our schedule allows, we also assist established churches that are stalled in growth and outreach ministry. We use a modified phone program, door hangers, radio ads, social media, etc. to help them find new prospects and re-establish their presence in their growing or changing community. We also assist churches that are without a pastor and occasionally fill-in for a pastor who is recovering from a health issue.

In 2021 we added a global radio ministry now aired on over 60 FM stations in the USA and around the world via the internet and podcasting. Our home church/mission board is Burge Terrace Baptist in Indianapolis, Pastor Todd Curtis. We have three children and seven grandchildren.