I’m Jason Barker, an Orthodox Christian writer and publication specialist. I write and design articles and publications, produce podcasts and other audio material, and create interactive educational applications.
ABOUT ORTHODOX RESOURCE
Orthodox Resource is my personal website, gathering together the podcasts, studies, booklets, articles, and other materials I create for the Department of Youth Ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the Orthodox Christian Network, Ancient Faith Radio, and other Orthodox groups.
The subjects covered in these materials cross the gamut of Orthodox Christian life: Bible study, prayer, fasting, evangelism, self-control…my resources focus on how we can live and grow as Orthodox Christians in the modern world.
ABOUT JASON BARKER
To help you better understand a little about me, below is some of the basic information from my curriculum vitae.
Areas of Expertise
Multimedia Christian Education
I have extensive experience creating multimedia Christian educational materials for youth and adults. I’ve written and developed computer applications for biblical studies and Orthodox outreach and evangelism, and developed a forthcoming resource application for Orthodox youth workers. My thesis and ministry projects for the University of Balamand focused on multimedia education.
New and Alternative Religions
I was raised a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness. Following my conversion to Christianity, this experience led me to spend nine years working with organizations focusing on church education about – and outreach to – new and alternative religions. I’ve published over thirty articles, written a dictionary (published under corporate authorship), and given three professional papers on a wide array of alternative religious groups and practices. I’ve also given a Synaxis lecture on cults at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA.
Education
M.A. in Applied Orthodox Theology, University of Balamand / Antiochian House of Studies, 2005.
B.A. in Communication, Washington State University, 1991. Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Select Publications
John: A Study of the Holy Gospel According to St. John the Theologian. Westwood, MA: Department of Youth Ministry, 2009. A complete set of full-color printable study sheets, with accompanying website.
Life Together: An Interactive Study of 1 Corinthians. Westwood, MA: Department of Youth Ministry, 2007. A multimedia application, with accompanying printable study sheets.
Be Transformed: An Interactive Study of the Epistle to the Romans. Westwood, MA: Department of Youth Ministry, 2005. A multimedia computer application, with accompanying printable study sheets.
Follow Me: Following Jesus Through the Gospel According to St. Mark. Westwood, MA: Department of Youth Ministry, 2004. A complete set of full-color printable study sheets.
The Cambridge Guide to Children’s Books in English. Ed. Victor Watson. New York: Cambridge UP, 2001. Contributed articles on the American Sunday School Union, American Tract Society, Chaim Potok, and The Simpsons.
Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 5th ed. Ed. J. Gordon Melton. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2001. Contains the previously published article, “Youth and the Occult.”
I have also researched and written a dictionary of new and alternative religions (published under a corporate leader’s byline), and have published articles in The Watchman Expositor, The Dawn, and other publications. My online writing and web design work has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times, San Jose Mercury News, Colorado Springs Gazette, Tallahassee Democrat, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Fort Myers News-Press, Computing Today, Christian Computing Magazine, and on Christianity Online.
Media
I have appeared as a guest on Truths that Transform with D. James Kennedy, Issues Etc. with Don Matzat and Todd Wilken, and Hope for the Heart with June Hunt. I’ve also been interviewed by such media outlets as MSNBC and numerous daily newspapers and radio programs.
Personal
I am married with one child, and live in the southern Midwest. My family attends a small mission of the Orthodox Church in America.
