Men find good food, gospel at ‘The Barn’

On an unseasonably mild late afternoon in February, a setting sun expends the last of its warmth on a red barn in southern Greenville County, about five miles west of Fountain Inn.

Two chattering boys toss a football near the barn’s twin garage-door openings, while Chloe, a 6-month-old black Lab, works earnestly to make a visitor feel welcome, shaking off a spray of pond water.

Michele Schultz

Chloe, a 6-month-old Labrador retriever, and her master, Michele Schultz, look on as visitors arrive at the barn.

Bluegrass music emanates from a sound system inside the barn, where 10 oversized tables await the evening’s visitors. Overhead, light fixtures fashioned from wagon wheels and canning jars hang from the rafters. Shovels, hoes and rakes occupy an entire 10-foot section of wall. The tangy smell of hay infuses the air.

As afternoon dissolves to twilight, cars and pickups are parked on the side of the single-lane country road just up the hill, and men and boys, in groups of two or three, start making their way down to the barn.

Before the night is over, more than 100 will come, and they will chow down on a variety of chili recipes as part of the barn’s third annual chili cook-off. They will also hear a message from Woody Dantzler, former standout quarterback for Clemson University.

It is a scene that’s repeated every month, and it’s all accomplished by word of mouth. Men and boys, many of them first-time visitors, come to the barn for a free steak dinner and to hear a message from a former NFL or Major League Baseball player, a college player, or an evangelist or pastor.

It’s about helping men come to Christ, encouraging accountability relationships, and mentoring younger men and boys, says Ken Howell, who was instrumental in launching the ministry more than three years ago. Howell was inspired to start the barn ministry in South Carolina after seeing it work successfully in Florida.

He said the Upstate barn ministry has hosted thousands of men over the past three years and seen “scores come to know Christ as their personal savior, get involved with a Bible-believing church, and be mentored and discipled.”

Howell is a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, and he said the barn ministry grew out of a men’s group there. The ministry is not associated with any denomination, however, and operates strictly on donations from churches, businesses and individuals, he said.

“We have done this on purpose,” he said. “Our goal is to bring men to a relationship with Jesus — not to a religion.”

Howell said churches representing different denominations have supported the ministry. “Many men hear about us and come because they do not have a men’s ministry of their own or don’t have anything in the way of outreach at their own churches,” he said.

“We are able to combine the two — men’s ministry and outreach — by hosting a free steak dinner and a speaker. All the men do is show up. As part of the outreach, we want them to bring with them an unsaved neighbor, friend, coworker or family member.”

David Quigley, who attends Calvary Church with Howell and teaches math and science at Woodmont High School, said attendance at a barn event is always good because it is informal, and “guys like to be informal.”

Men and boys enjoy samplings from the chili cook-off.

Men and boys enjoy samplings from the chili cook-off.

Howell jokes that only two women are allowed at the barn — his wife, Shannon, who makes a really good corn casserole, and Michele Schultz, who, along with her husband, Stan, makes their barn available for the men’s meal each month.

Howell said the free steak dinners at the barn attract an average of 100 men each month, and about 30 or so are usually first-time visitors.

On this night, the menu doesn’t feature the usual rib-eye steaks, but instead a variety of chili dishes prepared by several of the men. Terry Walker, who won last year’s chili cook-off with a cubed-steak and Italian-sausage recipe, has his eyes on the prize again this year.

Walker, who also ministers through an organization called “Cooks for Christ,” said the important thing isn’t the menu or winning a lighthearted contest — it’s being a part of a ministry that helps men develop “King David and Jonathan-style relationships.”

(For the record, Walker retained bragging rights with a chili made from shredded sirloin steak and Cajun sausage.)

Howell said he hopes other barn ministries will soon spring up in South Carolina. To learn more, or to view information about upcoming speakers, visit BarnMinistry.com.

4 thoughts on “Men find good food, gospel at ‘The Barn’

  1. Can I please get more information about the barn ministry? I know a few men who would GREATLY benefit from this. My son, who is a ministry student, knows some young men who would benefit too. Thank you kindly !

  2. The Barn encourages and inspires me to be a better Christian, Father, Deacon, and a Man. Can’t wait for the Taylors/Travelers Rest Barn location to get started. Thank you Ken for making everyone feel welcomed.

Comments are closed.