Hometown Hero--Andy Barringer

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
Colossians 1:4-6 NLT

When Andy Barringer was a child he had visions of being a hero. He could see himself rushing into a burning building to save a helpless child. He probably pictured himself bringing that child out of a smoke filled house while giving rescue breaths. He collapses to the ground, barely able to breathe himself, with the child in his arms.

Suddenly—the child begins to cough. An oxygen mask is placed on the young boy as he is loaded into a waiting ambulance. Andy returns to his duties—life saved—now we need to put out that fire.

For 29 years, Andy risked his life to help others. He joined Parkwood Fire Department as a teenager. He later became a full-time firefighter. At the time of his death he was an Assistant Chief—still serving at the same department where he started.

From the first time that Andy put on the turnout gear, his life was on the line. Every firefighter knows that. However, a firefighter not only puts his life at risk to save others, he dedicates his life to the service of others. On call, 24 hours at a time, waiting for someone to call out for help.

On Sunday, March 1st, Andy was the one who called out for help. While serving as a chaperon on a ski trip for a group that included his son, he began to experience chest pains. When the paramedics arrived, Andy walked to the ambulance and climbed in under his own power.

No one would have ever expected that on the way to the hospital Andy would go into cardiac arrest. The medics did everything they could do. So did the doctors and nurses at the hospital. It seems tragic that a man who had dedicated his life to helping others could find no help on his day of trouble. There were lots of people that tried to help—but to no avail.

As I talked with Andy’s wife, Amanda, I struggled for the words to say that might bring comfort to her and to Colton. As we talked, her words were the ones bringing comfort to me.

Amanda told me that the last few years of Andy’s life had been his best. He had come to understand John 10:10 and what Jesus meant about giving him a full life—abundant life.

She told me that Andy did cry out for help many years ago. He cried out to Jesus and Jesus heard him. Jesus helped him. Jesus saved him from his sin and during the past few years Andy grew in his faith. By leaps and bounds—especially after the family moved to Rolesville.

Moving caused Andy and Amanda to seek out a new church where they met Pastor David Sims, and they all ended up together at Richland Creek Community Church.

The Lord used Pastor David and the church family at “The Creek” to build into Andy’s life and things changed for the Barringer family—to better than ever before. That is not to say that Andy, Amanda and Colton did not face difficult circumstances over the past few years. Just like any other family they have had their share of hard times.

The big change was this—when looking back over the hard times they faced over the past few years, Amanda sees them as sweet times—because Andy had allowed Jesus to change his life and put things in proper perspective. Don’t miss the point—Jesus changed Andy’s life. Drastically.

Andy was changed and so was his family. Andy was the spiritual leader of his home and Jesus was at the center of everything they did. Together, they came to find out what a life of true “JOY” is all about.

Everybody is looking for joy in this dark and difficult world that we live in. If Andy could speak to you right now, he would want you to know that he found there is only one true source of joy—Jesus Christ. As Andy led his family to understand the proper perspective of life, he understood the word joy and that you can find joy by following the letters—J-O-Y.

J=Jesus: Simply put Jesus first in your life—in everything that you do—give Him first place and honor Him above all else. This comes by understanding the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

O=Others: Honor and serve others. Put the needs of other people before your own needs. Love people and serve them in a way that brings glory to God.

Y=You: That leaves you—last. Honor Jesus first and honor all others before yourself. Most people try to work this model upside down. Doesn’t work that way. I think Andy would want you to know that.

Many of you who are reading this knew Andy Barringer. Some of you are still grieving over his death. Life will never be the same again for some of you because of the void that Andy’s death leaves.

One thing I believe that my brother Andy would want you to remember about him is this—His life was changed forever by his relationship with Jesus Christ. He would want you to know that Jesus can bring you the same joy, peace and hope that he lived with here on earth.

Andy would also want you to know that you should not weep for him. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, his hope has now become sight. The Savior that he trusted in faith here on earth is now his Savior by sight—forever—in heaven.