About Us

At just 17 years old, Barry experienced a profound spiritual awakening that inspired him to dedicate his life to serving God. Within weeks, he felt a powerful call to become an evangelist. His speaking engagements were marked by God's blessing, leading him to join a  newly-formed mission organisation that specialised in conducting short-term outreaches at the request of village churches.

In addition to planning the outreaches, Barry's particular role developed into research, writing, and setting up a full-time training programme for Bible College graduates.  During this time he shared in a joint pastorate for an independent church in a south-coast town.  He also created a led a national network of organisations and indiviiduals active in rural mission.

A New Direction

Barry became concerned over the steady decline in Christian presence in rural areas as non-conformist chapel closed, clergy numbers declined, and parish churches struggled.  He knew that all the resources in the network, working together, would hardly make a difference.  If the kingdom of God was to grow in the UK countryside it would be necessary for rural churches to recognise and respond to God's call to mission.

He moved on from the organisation he had joined 25 years before.  With another former colleague he started 'Rural Sunrise'  (now known as Rural Mission)  He created a developmental process to envision, euip, and motivate churches to become truly missional.  Having also resigned from the urban pastorate, he answered a call for help from an unaffiliated Congregational church in a nearby village.  The church joined the Congregational Federation which led to several national roles including serving as the national ecumenical officer and one term as national President.    His work continued to be independent and transdenominational.

No sooner had Rural Sunrise begun, Barry was invited to assist a newly appointed  Diocesan Mission Enabler, teaching the process to rural parishes in Dorset and the Isle of Wight.  Other invitations followed.  Online webinars were developed as a signgnificant teaching programme alongside individual church consultations.

Ministry in Retirement

With the aid of a legacy, Barry was eventually able to engage a fellow mission enabler, and retire from eeeeRural Missions.  A new Chief Executive Officer was appointed who has continued to work with the vision Barry established, grown tthe team and expanded the ministry further.  

Colleagues and Helpers

Tribute must be given to the many who have worked with Barry including his late wife, Doreen, the co-founder of Rural Sunrise, Monica Cook, and especially Captain Gordon Banks of the Church Army. What has been achieved would not have been possible without them and many others.  Praise and thanks belong to God.

From its beginning, Barry's mission engagement has been almost entirely voluntary.  He counts it a privilage to serve God and would glady pay for that privelege.   A 19th Century missionary, CT Studd wrote, "If Jesus Christ is God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him."

Such is the spiritual need in the rural areas that Christians and churches (which are often with limited funds) need to respond to God's call to share in his mission as soon and as widely as possible. No charge has ever been made for our services in the past and present.

Ours services are available without charge.  Rural Christians does not appeal for financial support.  If more information is needed please email ruralbarry@gmail.com

Our aim is to encourage rural Christians and rural churches to enjoy a vibrant faith and have confidence to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  We respect the amazing diversity within UK Christianity and will always operate within the bounds of any tradition with which we are working.  We will hapilly work with any congregation or Christian that loves the Lord. Jesus Christ.

Working with such a variety of traditions requires respect and empathy for others.  Our aim is not to promote ecumenism, but the mission to which God calls us should not be hindered by our differences.

We assert that the 'oneness' for which Jesus prayed (see John 17) is formed by God through the indwelling of his Holy Spirit in the life of each Christian.  God makes us one with himself and unites us as one in his Body which is his Church.

He is a meber of Market Harborough Congregational Church and commits to following the principles and terms of theat church's Safeguarding Policy.  He holds a current DBS certificate which et is essentially the ministry in retirement of Barry Osborne who is an accredited minister in the Congregational Federation.  He is therefore subject to the disciplines of that denomination.

He is a member of Market Harborough Congregational Church and is committed to following its Safeguarding Policy.

He holds a current DBS certicicate which is renewed regularly.

Rural communities and churches come in a variety of sizes. When Barry started in ministry there was no continuity regarding defining rural within UK Government departments. While this has since changed, the definition is not always helpful.  So here are our own terms of reference.  A Village is a separate development with a population of not more than 5,000.  The economic life of a village might be associated with agriculture, fishing, tourism, light industries, wholesale or retail activity, or a range of other aspects of economic life.

In the main, villages tend to be small.  Many have a population under 1,000.  Consequently,  village churches tend to be small.  Some with only single figure congregations.  Size is not important to us.  Ideally, village church congtregations are formed from people in the local community.  For furthereflection see the ABOUT YOU page on this website.