Tony Martin
Editor
Barry Lee, pastor of Rolling Hills Church in Carriere, was honored as the 2023 Bivocational Pastor of the Year during the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s annual meeting from October 24-25. Lee has dedicated 15 years to Rolling Hills, and concurrently served with the Picayune Fire Department for 23 years. In addition, like many firemen, Lee had a side gig in construction, which for several years made him “tri-vocational.”
Born in Picayune in 1962, Lee resides in the house where he grew up in Carriere. During his youth, he attended West Union Church in Carriere with his family. At the age of 9, he committed his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized. He later graduated from Pearl River Central High School in Carriere.
In 1982, after dating for a year and a half, Lee and his future wife Barbara tied the knot. The couple began their spiritual journey together at Corinth Church in Nicholson. Barbara was already actively involved, playing the piano and teaching Sunday School. Lee soon joined her, serving in various capacities, including being ordained as a deacon. Notably, they witnessed their two children embrace faith and get baptized. After many years at Corinth, they transferred their membership to West Union Baptist Church in Carriere, where Lee had grown up. There, Barry occasionally stepped in as a supply preacher, sensing a divine calling to ministry during this period.
In 2005, heeding this call, Lee served at multiple churches, including Crane Creek Church in Perkinston and two stints as interim pastor at West Poplarville Church. A significant chapter began in 2008 when Rolling Hills Church in Carriere approached him to fill in as an interim pastor after their lead pastor’s passing. What initially seemed like a 6-month commitment transformed into a 3 ½ year-long journey, highlighting the special bond between Lee’s family and the church. Lee and Barbara have two children: Kelly Fulton, and Nathan Lee and his wife, Sarah. Plus, Lee and Barbara are grandparents to four grandchildren: Briggs, 7; Anderson, 7; Graham, 5; and Marbrie, 1.
