Mike Barber

Mike Barber was one of the most sought after high school athletes in the country when he graduated from White Oak (Texas) High School in 1972. As a high school quarterback, Mike

passed for over 4,000 yards. He went on to play college football at Louisiana Tech, but did not stay at the quarterback position for long. Because of his speed, he was switched to receiver, then moved to the tight end position the following year. With a college career of 17 touchdowns and 1,226 yards, Mike was elected to All America’s First Team twice during his years at Louisiana Tech.

In 1976 Mike was the first draft choice of the Houston Oilers. Mike spent six years with the Oilers, then went on to play with the Los Angeles Rams for four more years. He holds the record for both teams for the most receptions by a tight end in one season. During his 10-year NFL tenure, Mike became the protypical NFL tight end. He had the size, hands and speed to make him one of the league’s best.

What makes Mike special today is not reliving the past glory of his pro football career, but spreading the future glory of God. Following his retirement in 1986, Mike and his wife DeAnne responded to God’s call into full-time prison ministry. Since January 1987, the Barbers have been in prisons all across the country, hosting crusades known as “Weekends of Excitement.” Mike considers the greatest team he has ever played with to be the team that goes into the prisons with him to “PROCLAIM liberty to the captives.”

The fastest growing industry in America today is building prisons and housing inmates, but Mike and DeAnne Barber and their ministry team are seeing first-hand that Jesus Christ is truly making a difference.