Home Staff Lyle Barthel

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Lyle Barthel
Assistant Director
Lyle Barthel was born in 1929 into an Illinois farming family the 4th of 11 children. After High School, he helped his Dad on the farm for 3 years and then in 1950 married Carol Ware. For 3 years he supported his family working as a hired hand on farms in the community. In 1951, a daughter Katherine Ann was born. In 1953 they rented a 160-acre farm and started farming on their own. 1953 also brought a difficult time in their lives when Carol gave birth to a stillborn son and almost died. Lyle says, “The Lord miraculously preserved her. It was the first miracle in our lives.” In their grief they turned to their Sunday School teacher who asked them the question, “If you died today do you know where you will go?” Together, through their pain, they gave their lives to the Lord.

In 1956, another son, Kevin was born and in 1958 another daughter, Karen. In 1965, the family moved to a larger farm in another community. In all, they farmed for 16 years. In 1969, while visiting his former pastor who worked at the Christian Servicemen's Center in Norfolk, VA, Lyle was offered a position at the Center. He accepted, and the family moved to Norfolk. Lyle worked in the Center's print shop and helped run day to day operations until he was laid off in 1976.

Lyle needed a job and had become familiar with the Union Mission Ministries. He approached Rev. Bashford about a job. Rev. Bashford sent him to see, Leroy Vaughan who was running the daily operation of the Mission. 2 weeks before, Leroy had told Rev. Bashford that he needed some help and wished he could find a man as faithful as Lyle Barthel, and here he was. Lyle says. “This was the 2nd miracle in my life.” He knew that this was where the Lord wanted him and he started work in the Mission's print shop, doing bulletins, newsletters, etc.

In June 1976, Lyle and his family moved to Hope Haven, serving as "Relief Houseparents" for 3 months and then as "Houseparents" for almost 25 years, helping to raise over 50 children. In 1997, Lyle and Carol retired as Houseparents and moved into their own cottage at Hope Haven.

Lyle was made Associate Director and has since served as Hotel Manager, Industrial Manager, Warehouse Manager, and initially ran the Rehabilitation Program at the New Life Center. Today Lyle ministers to the men in the Mission's Rehab Program each morning, teaching and guiding them in God's word, runs the ministry's warehouse operation and helps out wherever he is needed.

Learn more about the staff of the Union Mission Ministries