Barry Black's appointment as chaplain of the United States Senate in 2003 was only the latest step in a long and unexpected route God had brought him. From his upbringing in inner-city Baltimore, Maryland, raised by a single mother, Black had moved through two historically black schools, Pine Forge Academy in Pennsylvania and Oakwood College in Alabama, on his way to becoming a preacher. He was pastoring in North Carolina when he met some sailors who had driven miles to attend his church. They said there weren't any black chaplains at their naval base. And Black got the idea to help with that need. He only wanted to minister as a chaplain but ended up rising to the rank of Rear Admiral and commanding all the chaplains of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. It was upon his retirement that he received the further honor of serving the U.S. Senate. And now he is back to just what he wanted to be; a pastor who helps lead others to Christ. It's all ministry, says Black.
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