Rev. Stephen Michael Barnes, M.Div.

Early Faith Formation
Steve’s story began in the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic school. He was raised in a large Catholic family and attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Evanston, Illinois, from kindergarten through eighth grade, where he was educated in the Jesuit tradition. From fifth grade through his junior year of high school, Steve served as an altar boy. His early understanding of God was rooted in the belief that God existed as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Meditation and Martial Arts
Steve began studying karate during his junior year of high school. After each class, his instructor led the students in meditation, which Steve found to be the most relaxing and peaceful part of his day. Later, another karate instructor entered Steve’s life and introduced him more deeply to the arts, drawing from training received in a Japanese monastery. Through this teacher, Steve was introduced to Zazen meditation.  He holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shorei Guju-Ryu, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate, and an instructor license in both styles.

Expanding Spiritual Study
As an adult, Steve studied several religious and spiritual practices, including Native American Medicine, and other global religious and belief systems. He was drawn to teachings on awareness and energy.

Pastoral Leadership and New Beginning
From 2001 to 2024, Steve pastored four churches in the African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination. In 2013, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. When Steve first felt called to pastoral ministry, he also sensed that the AME Church was preparing him for the work God had in mind for him. As of September 15, 2024, Steve is stepping into that plan. He leads with a focus based on Luke 17:20-21: “The kingdom of God is within you.”

Rev. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes, Psy.D.

Rev. Dr. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes has been blessed to walk and serve within her calling as a Clinical Psychologist and Minister. She earned a BA in Psychology from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL, completing her Post-Doctoral training in the rural communities of West Virginia. She received her ministerial training through African Methodist Episcopal Church Board of Examiners along with matriculation at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri.  From a young age, Rev. Dr. Lynette has studied world religions and Divine thought, gravitating to spiritual disciplines which emphasize our oneness with the Creator and the power of Divine, Holy Spirit within us.

Dr. Sparkman-Barnes has devoted her career to a personal and professional commitment of working with underrepresented and underserved populations. She’s served in a variety of settings, including Universities, Community Mental Health Centers, School-based Mental Health Organizations, Churches, and Private Practice, impacting systems and communities as a clinician, pastor, professor, program developer, manager and in various administrative leadership roles. She is an often-sought presenter in the areas of Mental Health, Inclusivity, Social Justice, and the interface of Psychology with Theology, Religion, and Spirituality.

Rev. Lynette (as she’s known throughout the church) and her wonderful husband, Rev. Stephen M. Barnes, co-pastor The Spiritual Expansion Center, a dynamic non-denominational ministry which serves a local and virtual congregation. In addition to her work as a Licensed Psychologist and Clergyperson, Dr. Sparkman-Barnes is very active in the community, choosing to serve within her sorority and on organizational Boards that are committed to the causes of social, educational, environmental, and health equity for all.

Rev. Dr. Sparkman-Barnes lives and leads from love, propelled through the prayer of Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Lynette and Steve have been honeymooning for over 33 years. Their connection is dynamic synergy, the powerful flow of spirits that have been connected to each other throughout eternity. As theoretically spoken by Akhenaten to Nefertiti, “We are both the secret of the existence of the other.” Their marriage is a ministry purposed to bring love, light, joy, and hope to all. As they come into greater remembrance of who they are in the Divine, their love expands and elevates, creating even more excitement and enthusiasm in becoming full expressions of the Creator. Guided and grounded in the liberating gospel of love, Steve and Lynette walk in the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV)