When Terry Barone was a college student in the mid-’70s, he wasn’t sure where his career path might take him. Now, just over 40 years later, Barone is wrapping up his career in Southern Baptist communications.
On Dec. 31, 2021, Barone officially retired after 30 years serving as communications director for the California Southern Baptist Convention.
At the February 2022 annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications, Barone was honored by his Southern Baptist colleagues for his decades of denominational service. In addition to his three decades with California Baptists, Barone served 12 years with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
“Terry is a wonderful communicator and ministry leader. His consistent and faithful service through the years has blessed not only California Baptists and all the places he has served, but the entire Southern Baptist Convention,” said Brian Hobbs, 2021–22 ASBP president and director of communications for Oklahoma Baptists.
“We congratulate Terry on this important milestone and pray the Lord blesses him and his family now and in all the days ahead.”
‘Comfortable with calling’
When he enrolled at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Barone had his eyes set on becoming a physician. His first biology course created a quick change of direction for Barone.
Over the next several years, Barone took university journalism classes, worked at the Baylor news service and, while still a student, landed a job at a Waco newspaper — working the 4 p.m. to midnight police beat. Upon graduation, he spent a year working in communications at a Baptist hospital in Waco.
From there, he went to the Texas convention and then headed west to California, which “wasn’t a part of my plan at all,” he laughed. There, he invested his life for the next 30 years in his Christian communications calling.
“For me it was more of a gentle leading. God was leading me in the direction [of Christian communications], allowing me to become comfortable with that calling,” he recalls.
His denominational career also took him to the newsroom of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention for many years as well as short-term stints serving internationally in Christian communications.
‘Embrace change’
Barone has experienced many changes through the years, particularly as communications moved from a print to digital culture.
“Things have changed dramatically over the past 30 years, even the past 10 years,” he said, adding that he has “learned to embrace change and move with it.”
In 1991 when Barone transitioned to the Golden State, the California convention didn’t even have a website. Today, the convention delivers Baptist news in a digital-only format.
‘A good ride’
The career Baptist communicator is grateful for the many friends and colleagues who have encouraged, challenged and mentored him through the years, helping him become a “better communicator.” He’s done his part to “give back” to others serving in denominational communications, serving as 2015 ASBP president as well as in numerous elected offices with Baptist Communicators Association.
He has also been committed to Trinity Baptist Church in Fresno, California, his home church for the past 30 years, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and committee member.
“I would like to think I’ve become a good church man. In reality, all that really matters is my relationship with Jesus and what He allows me to do for the Kingdom,” he said.
“It’s been a good ride. The Lord has been gracious to me. He’s always taken care of me and my family anywhere we’ve served,” Barone said.
Related news
In related news, ASBP members also honored another colleague — Gary Ledbetter — during the annual meeting. Ledbetter recently transitioned from his role as editor of the TEXAN, the official publication of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, to become project manager and senior editor for High Street Press, a book publishing imprint of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
