ABOUT THE PASTOR

Barbara DaCosta cares.

She received a clear call to ministry shorty after her conversion to Christ at age nineteen.  Her pilgrimage began when she served at Dayspring Foundation in northern New Hampshire where she was ordained through a local congregation.  During the five years that she worked with that ministry, she was able to reach out with the good news of God’s great love throughout northern New England, Boston and into the heart of New York City.

Barbara holds a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School.

She gained much experience in her role as associate pastor of Central Baptist Church in Providence where she was ordained.  Later, she served as pastor of an American Baptist church on the Seacoast of New Hampshire for eight years and also served as the Senior Pastor of The Mount Vernon Larger Parish, a fellowship of three churches, that serves the Foster/Western Coventry area.

Barbara has served her denomination in various capacities and is presently the Senator for the Minister’s Council of Rhode Island.  She is very ecumenically minded and is a part of the Cranston Clergy Association.  She sees the Christian message as one that invites all people to wholeness and wellness in Christ.

She is endorsed as an institutional chaplain with the American Baptist Churches (USA).  Her chaplaincy experience has blessed her with the opportunity to help individuals bring their physical, emotional, and spiritual life into greater harmony.  The National Board of Certified Counselors certifies her as a professional counselor.  Her counseling experience enables her to bring the gift of psychological insight to her ministry.

Barbara has an aesthetic heart and an authentic love for people and a desire to see people come into a growing understanding of God’s amazing grace.  She is an avid animal lover and spends much of her free time with her two miniature pinchers Sunrise and Jordan.

Barbara warmly invites you to worship with us at Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church, an awesome congregation, where there is always a place for you!