AFP Spotlight: Bishop Dr. Edward Barnett, PhD
AFP Spotlight: Bishop Dr. Edward Barnett, PhD
Founder & Pastor, The Greater Grace Family Ministries Church | Founder, Greater Grace Family Ministries Global Fellowship | Washington, D.C.
The Universal Peace Federation USA is honored to spotlight Ambassador for Peace Bishop Dr. Edward Barnett, a distinguished pastor, educator, and mental-health advocate whose life’s work reflects the spirit of service, family strength, and community healing central to UPF’s founding vision. For more than 30 years, Bishop Barnett has embodied the principle—often emphasized by UPF Co-Founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon—that peace begins with transformed individuals and God-centered families.
As Founder and Pastor of The Greater Grace Family Ministries Church in Washington, D.C., Bishop Barnett has nurtured a ministry rooted in deliverance, spiritual restoration, and the empowerment of families. Established in 1991 following a mission trip to Kenya, the church has grown from a gathering inside his home into a thriving, multigenerational community. His wife of over 35 years, First Lady Adreinne H. Barnett, has served faithfully by his side, and their adult children, Emmanuel and Gabrielle, now support the ministry in leadership roles—reflecting a legacy of unity and faith passed across generations.
Bishop Barnett’s commitment to uplifting families and strengthening communities extends globally through the Greater Grace Family Ministries Global Fellowship, which partners with churches in Kenya, Zambia, and Asia. His preaching and teaching throughout East and West Africa and cities along the U.S. Eastern Coast continue to inspire individuals to discover their divine identity and purpose.
A respected mental-health professional for three decades, Bishop Barnett is certified in Substance Abuse Counseling through Catholic Charities and serves as both educator and advocate across Charles County, Maryland. He lectures monthly at Recovery Centers of America, teaches weekly at regional recovery programs, and conducts vital public-health education on infectious diseases and PrEP. His work consistently reflects a life lived “for the sake of others,” a guiding ethic shared across all UPF peace initiatives.
Bishop Barnett is also a prolific communicator. His long-running radio show, “H4H – Help for the Hurting / Mental Health in the Community,” and his podcast have brought healing, insight, and encouragement to countless individuals seeking hope and resilience.
As an author, he continues to shape conversations around spiritual growth, mental health, and family life. His first two books—“Living Wittingly” (2015) and “Living Wittingly: Higher Dimension” (2021)—offer tools for intentional, God-centered living. He is currently completing two additional works, “A Threat to Marriage” and “Mental Health and the Church,” addressing themes vital to both faith communities and broader society.
Bishop Barnett’s contributions have been recognized by civic and faith institutions alike. In 2017, the D.C. City Council honored him with The Dr. Edward Barnett Recognition Resolution for his leadership in mental health and ministry. In 2019, he was appointed by UPF as an Ambassador for Peace, and in 2020, he and his wife were named UPF’s Parents of the Year, honoring their steadfast support of families during the global pandemic. Most recently, in 2024, he received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to service.
Today, Bishop Dr. Edward Barnett continues to be a guiding force—pastor, counselor, educator, and builder of peace. His work beautifully reflects UPF’s mission of fostering spiritual renewal, family harmony, and compassionate leadership for the sake of a better world.
