Rev. Rebecca Barnes

In January 2017, Rev. Rebecca Barnes became the Coordinator of the Presbyterian Hunger Program after serving for 5 years as the Associate for Environmental Ministries (within PHP). Rebecca coordinates and supports the PHP national, international, lifestyle simplicity, and environmental programs that work to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes—in the United States and around the world. PHP approaches hunger, poverty and environmental degradation through 5 main tools: direct food relief combined with root cause work, sustainable development, advocacy, intentional and sustainable living, and education. Previously in her position of Environmental Ministries, Rebecca supported the national PC(USA) certification program for Earth Care Congregations, coordinated the volunteer local leadership network called the Environmental Ministries Action Network, and worked to help Presbyterians connect their Christian discipleship to ecological, economic and global justice concerns. Rebecca is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she earned a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Art in Religion in 2011, with a thesis titled: “A Fuller Experience of God’s Grace: How the Sacraments Invite Us to Relationship with, and Care for, the Earth.” While in seminary, she authored “50 Ways to Help Save the Earth: How You and Your Church Can Help Make a Difference,” which was recently reprinted for distribution to the Commissioners of the 2016 General Assembly of the PC(USA)