Meet Dr. Iris K. Barrett
I am Dr. Iris K. Barrett, founder of “The Word is My Life,” and I love helping people grow.
My earliest memories in life involve helping others learn and succeed. As a child, I remember waking up early to prepare lessons or games for my younger sisters. I taught them on Saturday mornings while my parents slept.
Years ago, I visited my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Hill, in an assisted living facility. She was in her 90s then. I asked her, “Who was I when I was 6 years old?” She said, “You were a somber child—focused and serious-minded. You were always helping the other children.”
My early years have led me to where I am today!
"The Word is My Life" is Born
In 2002, after working over 16 years in Human Resources for a telecommunications company, I left the business world. God prompted me to resign, and I did not hesitate. Here’s why. Although I loved the years dedicated to training and developing an exceptional workforce of employees, times shifted. The company entered a season of layoffs, and my job responsibilities required me to be integrally involved in that process. Transitioning from developing people to laying them off marked my season to exit.
So, in May of 2002, God commissioned me to continue training and developing adults, but in a different context and for different purposes. My passion is connecting people to God’s truths revealed in His Word by His Spirit. These truths show us how the Kingdom of God operates and how believers flourish even in these trying times.
Now, over 22 years later, God continues to provide a path for this ministry to “heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). I am grateful that God allows me to use my gifts of teaching, ministry, intercession, discipling, and writing to edify and build up the body of Christ. I minister from a lifetime of learning and growing and live what I teach!
If you want to grow in your relationship with Christ and walk in a faith that is settled in Him, this ministry is for you!
More about Dr. Iris Barrett …
Community Ministry and Personal Life: My ministry partnership with Christian Community Outreach Ministries began in 2002. Through this collaboration, God granted me the opportunity to counsel and minister to thousands in our community and beyond. As CCOM closes in December, 2024, I will forge a new partnership journey with Highland Baptist Church in Hickory. I continue to specialize in soul care, application of God’s Word to life’s challenges, prayer ministry, and personal mentoring to those with a ministry call. Though I serve as a spiritual mother to many, I serve my family first for the glory of God.
Education: BSPH (Bachelor of Science in Public Health) from UNC-Chapel Hill summa cum laude; MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Duke University; Ed. D. (Doctor of Education with a concentration in Adult Education) from Regent University
Membership: American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). Certificate courses with AACC—Caring for People God’s Way, Professional Life Coaching 101 and 201, and Mental Health Coaching 101.
For more … Review my curriculum vitae. Reach out to me through my contact page.