About Barry
Barry James Buzza D.D. (1947 - )
Dr. Barry Buzza is passionate about helping people discover their life’s meaning, purpose and direction. Through his pastoring, teaching, counselling, and writing he is working towards reaching a larger audience with this goal. His words and inspiration is spreading from coast to coast and across the seas as he travels extensively throughout Canada and Asia to conduct Pastor’s conferences and partake in TV interviews.
Becoming a Pastor
Barry grew up in a Christian family, the third of six children in the Vancouver area. He knew he wanted to be a pastor at the age of 18, when he committed himself to full time pastoring, on the last night of youth camp. In the fall of 1966, his 5 years of formal training began at LIFE Bible College of Canada. He spent most of his schooling years working as a truck driver and labourer. At 24 years of age, although he had a good spiritual foundation, he knew he was not ready to be a pastor, so he began a 10 year career in business with Canadian Forest Products and continued his studies in business during those years.
In 1979, while still studying for his Master of Ministry at Trinity Western University, Barry and Susan founded Northside Foursquare Church. Northside Church meets at two campuses (5 miles apart in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam) in the suburbs of greater Vancouver, Canada. Barry serves as Lead Pastor beside an exceptional staff and hundreds of zealous volunteers. With lots of dedication, hard work, and two healthy churches under his belt, Barry was honoured with a Doctor of Divinity degree, in 2004.
Barry preaches to three packed services every Sunday. The church has well over 1500 members and continues to grow and have a profound influence in the Tri-City community (Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam) with its Higher Ground Ministries and internationally through annual Missions trips. For more information go to Northside Church’s website www.northsidechurch.ca
A Teacher
Barry has taught diverse subjects as an adjunct professor at Pacific Life Bible College over the past 25 years. His passion for teaching the bible is very evident in his Sunday Sermons, Wednesday evening bible study and his most recent series of books the Red Thread. He has a wonderful knowledge of the bible and this is evident through his interpretation of the biblical stories during ancient times and the original Hebrew meanings of the God’s word.
A Writer
In 2000, Barry’s first book, Life Centre was published; 6 years later 13 books have been published through his publishing company Life Pathways. As you read Barry’s books you will find many references to his growing up years, his experiences in the workforce as a truck driver and a manager, counseling and shepherding countless people at all stages of their lives, and most importantly growing up with his family. Barry has written these books with the intent that God will shine a light on your uniquely designed life path.
Devoted to His Family
Barry is a husband to Susan (35 years), father to Kelly (Tom) and Kristy (Jeremy), and grandfather to their children – Alexander, Jacob, Madeline, Maxwell, Victoria, and Jordan.
Barry’s Values
From Matthew 22:37-40, my two primary values are to:
- Love God
- Love others
The “Love others” value is worked out in Exodus 18:20. “Then teach them the statutes of the law, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.” For me, as a pastor/teacher, I love others by:
- Teaching them the Word – I believe that the Bible is our basic Instruction Manual. Everyone should read it and come to understand it as it applies to their own life. (The Red Thread Series was written for this purpose.)
- Teach them the Way – God has prepared a unique pathway for each of us. It relates to our God-given gifts, our talents, skills, experiences, temperament and life situation. I want to point people in the way they should walk. (Life Journey was written for this purpose.)
- Teach them the Work – Everybody has been given a life assignment and will one day be asked by God, “Did you do what I told you to do?” My job is to help people find their destined purpose. (Life Purpose was written for this purpose.)
