Okay, I’m not linking to the story in the News-Sun because I don’t think you can see it online if you are not a subscriber. I am going to feature it here, though, because if there is one story that should be out there for all to see, it is this one.

It was written by Matt Getts of the News-Sun (kpcnews.com). Rev Barker was the minister who spoke at my mother’s graveside service, and I will be forever grateful.

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KENDALLVILLE — Thursday night, the Kendallville Area Chamber of Commerce gave its highest individual honor to a man who has dedicated much of his life to helping those in the lowest of stations.

The Rev. Dan Barker, a retired pastor, current executive director of Common Grace and Noble County Jail chaplain, was named the chamber’s 2012 Citizen of the Year at the conclusion of Thursday’s 55th annual banquet.

Barker humbly accepted the honor after being given a standing ovation at a packed Kendallville Event Center.

Barker, 66, was born in Brighton, Mich., and when 2011 Citizen of the year recipient Ray Scott announced this year’s winner was born in that community, the rest of the laurels Scott had mentioned started to hit home for Barker.

“I was shocked,” Barker said. “When I heard Brighton, Mich., I kind of panicked.”

Barker’s surprise honor came following a keynote speech from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Also receiving special recognition by the chamber were 2011 Industry of the Year Creative Liquid Coatings and 2011 Business of the Year Shepherd’s Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Common Grace provides services to those who are undergoing financial hardship, offering food, rent and utility assistance.

KENDALLVILLE — Thursday night, the Kendallville Area Chamber of Commerce gave its highest individual honor to a man who has dedicated much of his life to helping those in the lowest of stations.

The Rev. Dan Barker, a retired pastor, current executive director of Common Grace and Noble County Jail chaplain, was named the chamber’s 2012 Citizen of the Year at the conclusion of Thursday’s 55th annual banquet.

Barker humbly accepted the honor after being given a standing ovation at a packed Kendallville Event Center.

Barker, 66, was born in Brighton, Mich., and when 2011 Citizen of the year recipient Ray Scott announced this year’s winner was born in that community, the rest of the laurels Scott had mentioned started to hit home for Barker.

“I was shocked,” Barker said. “When I heard Brighton, Mich., I kind of panicked.”

Barker’s surprise honor came following a keynote speech from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Also receiving special recognition by the chamber were 2011 Industry of the Year Creative Liquid Coatings and 2011 Business of the Year Shepherd’s Chevrolet Buick GMC.

Common Grace provides services to those who are undergoing financial hardship, offering food, rent and utility assistance.

“Common Grace is the one place to go if you need help,” Scott said.

As its executive director, Barker has been the go-to agency’s go-to man for the better part of two decades. He helped start Common Grace in 1995. For the last 11 years, he has ministered to inmates at the Noble County Jail.

It would be accurate to say Barker came upon his philanthropic endeavors naturally — and evenly divinely.

His parents both were pastors, and they showed him what caring meant.

“Our home was a home to anybody and everybody,” Barker said.

After graduating from Marion College, Barker entered the Asbury Theological Seminary. While in the seminary, the young man from small-town Michigan spent time in the Bronx section of New York City. There, he learned the joy of helping people from all walks of life.

“I referred to it as my conversion,” Barker said.

Barker graduated from the seminary in 1971. He served pastorships at several United Methodist churches in Michigan before coming to Kendallville in 1978. He oversaw the flock at Trinity Church United Methodist for 15 years, then spent eight years at Trinity United Methodist in Albion before retiring in 2011.

He remains active as the executive director of Common Grace, a man who has lived a philosophy that the church isn’t limited to a structure. That’s why, he said, helping others is what he must do.

“It’s imperative to serve the poor,” Barker said. “I see in every person a reflection of God. I’ve never met a person I could sense the presence of that divine essence.”

Barker said he is but one small part of the success of Common Grace. He cited the generosity of ordinary citizens, church groups, foundations and social organizations with really making things happen in this area.

“It’s a community that cares,” Barker said. “I don’t feel I’ve had to do that much. People want to help people.”

Barker doesn’t see his work at Common Grace coming to a close any time soon. His work for those who have nothing isn’t a hobby, it’s a calling from God to serve.

“That’s what your life is,” he said. “It doesn’t require any extra effort to be who you are.”

That doesn’t mean it’s easy, he admitted.

“You don’t like experiencing the despair of life some people have to deal with,” he said. “At the same time, it’s extremely gratifying.”