The People Project:
Barry Chance
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | December 8, 2021
Meet Barry Chance!
Barry was born in Illinois, but grew up in a few different states during his childhood. He lived in Nevada, Virginia, Illinois, New York and North Carolina. He has an older brother who currently resides in Nevada. He met his wife, Katie, during a North Carolina civics program where high-schoolers learn more about city government. She went to a different high school, but they met there. They kept in touch, and eventually dated, then married in 2003.
Barry got his undergraduate degrees in Business Management and Religious Studies in 2002. At the time of his graduation, he was the only student with that double major at North Carolina State University. He then went to Union Presbyterian Seminary West, and graduated in 2005. He spent 7 years at a church in Shreveport, then was asked to move to the Hammond church. He has been the Pastor for 9 years at the First Presbyterian Church. In January of this year, he was elected the Stated Clerk of Presbytery of South Louisiana. There are about 40 churches in the region that he assists with maintaining the order and procedures, constitutions and by-laws.
Katie and Barry have a son, Jonah (11), and 2 cats (Tater Tot and Peanut) who were strays in their backyard a year apart from each other.
He is very involved in Boy Scouts, both the male and female troops. He is the Advancement Chair for troop 270 (the male troop) and the Charter Representative for troop 2020 (the female troop). He was an eagle scout, but it was Jonah's excitement after an information session that got Barry involved again.
We want to thank Barry for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: Growing up, we rarely lived close to family. Every time we moved to a new place, my mom would always find a Presbyterian church to be a part of. They became our extended family. In 1996, Hurricane Fran damaged our home and church members that we barely knew offered their home to my family. They had a new baby, and had their own things going on, but that sense of community was something I remember. I had already had the calling, but seeing that, I knew I wanted to create that sense of community for others.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: For breakfast, I order the Two to Tango with a side of plantains from Yellow Bird Cafe. For lunch, I get the Green Curry from Thai Green Leaf. For dinner, I order anything from Punjabi Dhaba Indian Cuisine.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: When we lived in Nevada and I got a mountain bike when I was around 11 years old for my birthday. I would go ride in the desert on dirt roads. I would see wild horses, rattlesnakes and all types of wildlife. I would ride through the "river", which was sometimes a small puddle, but depending on the weather could be a bigger stream.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: A road trip with my family out west, going to national parks.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: Groundhog Day is my favorite movie. I don't really remember what movie I saw, but I remember the cartoons that would play before the movie started!
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: I once heard, if I had to sum up 90% of my sermons, it would be, "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, can you please be nice to each other."
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: My Dad and I want to visit all 30 major league baseball stadiums. It started after my Mom passed away, and he asked what I wanted for Christmas, as she was the one who handled all the gift giving. We have been to Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Miami and St. Louis to visit stadiums.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I listen to a little of everything. We actually had the opportunity to have the The Avett Brothers play at our wedding before they were known! We listened to them play, and we liked them, but we decided not to have them perform. A couple of months later they blew up, and we were kicking ourselves! We actually have tickets to see them play.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: The Louisiana Children's Discovery Center, because right when we moved here we brought Jonah there a lot.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Desmond Tutu. I would want to go somewhere in Capetown.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The Louisiana Renaissance Festival! I also love how it is small college town. Everything I need is 15 minutes away, but also New Orleans is an hour away, full of museums and sporting events.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Wherever the spirit takes me.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I talk about my life every weekend during my sermons! But people probably don't know that my family and I love board games. We probably have about 40-50 games. One of my favorites is Trekking the National Parks.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: First thing that comes to mind is Jeremiah 29. It goes through all the ways to make your current space your home. And that always held a special meaning because we moved so much. So, regardless of where I live or how long I will be there, I make a point to make roots, and to make that place our home.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: We are actually looking for a custodian/handyman for the church now!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Thai food!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Working on my sermon usually. I am always working on it, either through music, listening to the news or another random thing.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was Christmas gifts to my niece and nephew in Nevada. We got them Nancy Drew and Redwall books. The last gift I received was a beautiful stole (he is wearing it in the photo) from a church member. She was a nurse, and brought it back from Central America.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being a Pastor or scouting.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: In the 90s I listened to classic rock! I saw Jethro Tull in concert.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To snap my fingers and fix things- people, houses, anything!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I play the ukulele, scouting and playing board games.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Thumbs up.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My son.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: A kayak and a fishing pole.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: I like to live with joy and laughter daily. I try not to live big moment to big moment, so I find things funny all the time.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would pay bills, fund retirement and education accounts and then not tell anyone!
Barry was nominated by Amy Brumfield
He nominated Dr. George Anthon
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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