Faith Covenant Church, located at 4810 Willow Road, started with 10 people in 2005. It now has a membership of 500, including 350 active members. Pastor Quinten T. Barlow is taking the church to new spiritual heights. (Photos by Earl Stanback)

Twenty-seven-year-old Pastor Quinten T. Barlow and his congregation admit to being B.A.D.  In fact, the words, “We are B.A.D.” are inscribed in the Sunday morning program, on CD covers for his sermons, and on historical records about the Faith Covenant Church, now located at 4810 Willow Road in Memphis.

What does B.A.D stand for?   Blessed And Delivered.

The church, which started with 10 people in 2005, now has a membership of 500, including 350 active members. “We were small once and we were mediocre,” Barlow said.  “But we’re not small now.  And God is a god of order.”

On this Sunday morning, the church parking lot and pews are filled as Pastor Barlow preaches with power, energy, enthusiasm, and humor. This is a young man “called” at age six, who preached his first sermon at age 10. He weaves elements of the traditional and non-traditional church together in a way that is universally appealing.  “My age allows me to be a part of the trend but my upbringing allows me to respect tradition,” he said.

His approach allows him to travel across the age divide. “I love that he breaks it down, makes it simple.  You can look it up in the Bible,” said Allison Chism, who joined the church two and a half years ago at its old location at 4325 Hacks Cross. “He keeps it interesting and helps me grow in my faith.”

A family of new members recently joined church. They are (from left) Donna Hornburger, Arnetta Wesley, Ariel Wesley and Wanda Towns.

Eight months ago, Donna Hornburger came to a funeral, and found a church she could call home. “Service was so good at the funeral that I started coming every Sunday,” she said, adding since then 10 of her family members have joined.

Rev. Barlow said Faith Covenant’s mission has three E’s:  Edify the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, equip saints with the word of God and embrace sinners with the compassion of Christ.

Entering into Pastor Barlow’s office Sunday after service, his mother, Dr. Linda F. Chism declared, “That was a fantastic sermon today.  It was right on time.”

In Rev. Barlow’s family, religious faith is a cornerstone for each generation. The son of Rev. Quincy S. Barlow and grandson of Rev. Ray Chism Sr., Barlow was licensed to preach by Rev. Sampson Townsend Sr., pastor of New Era Missionary Baptist Church, in 1993 and ordained by Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr., pastor of New Salem Baptist Church, in 2000.  When he organized Faith Covenant, Dr. Chism, director of training and development for the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, moved her membership to Faith Covenant.  She has always been his staunchest supporter.

A 2003 graduate of Morehouse College, where he majored in religion and philosophy, he founded the church in Nov. 2005 after sharing his vision with ministerial mentors, family and friends.  Its first services were held at the Marriott East Hotel.  The church continued to grow and later moved into its first building.

When official installation services were held at the Hacks Cross location in April 2006, it featured a “who’s who” of theologians, including keynote speaker Dr. Frank Ray, his pastor and mentor; Bishop Edward Stephens of Golden Gate Cathedral; Dr. James Netters of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church; Dr. Sherman Helton of New Hope Baptist Church in Southaven; Dr. Jasper W. Williams of Salem Bible Church in Atlanta as well as young ministers like Rev. Hosie Hopkins, Rev. Joseph Williams, and Rev. Aaron Letcher. 

Renowned clergy like Dr. Benjamin Hooks and Dr. Melvin Charles Smith and dignitaries including Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton, County Mayor AC Wharton, Governor Phil Bredesen and then-Congressman Harold Ford Jr. sent well-wishes.

Dr Linda Fay Chism, mother of Rev Quinten Barlow, checks his sermon. Other family members are members of the church as well.

“At a very early age, Quinten stood before the congregation to boldly announce his calling into the ministry,” wrote Rev. Townsend in a congratulatory letter about his former junior deacon and pastor’s helper.  “Since I am unapologetically an old-fashioned Baptist preacher, I challenged Quinten in regards to his calling right before the congregation.  Quinten responded prophetically with courage and enthusiasm.”

Rev. Barlow starts working on his weekly sermons on Sunday evening through in-depth study of scriptures and commentaries.  Later, he prays for the “Lord to give me a word for the people of Faith Covenant.” 

Sandy Taylor, owner of Getwell Cleaners and Laundry, left church recently with a message that she’ll remember. “It was from Psalms 100 about praise and singing,” she said.  “He said you should come to church with a song in your heart.”