Bishop Leslie J. Barnes was born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies, and had his early education at the Culloden and Green Island Elementary schools. As a child Bishop Barnes was always exposed to church but he was not saved until 1954 when at a young age he answered the Lord’s call on his life. He served faithfully in the local Apostolic Church in Culloden and was very active in the Sunday School and Brotherhood departments. In 1961 Bishop Barnes, like many others at the time, migrated to the United Kingdom to take advantage of the opportunities there. He went to Wellington, England, and played a significant role in organizing a local Apostolic Church for the saints in the area. He was first appointed a Deacon, then Minister, and shortly after the Pastor died, Bishop Barnes was appointed Pastor of the church and ordained an Elder. The church continued to grow under his leadership but another call was placed on him when Bishop Sydney A. Dunn asked him to go to New York City to establish a church for the saints there. On October 10, 1974, Bishop Barnes arrived in New York City having left his wife and young family behind so he could prepare the way for their arrival. On his arrival he received help from saints already here including Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. who was instrumental in orchestrating his migration to the United States… read more.