Volunteers at Grace Welcome Center are saying that “Pastor” Jonathan Barker didn’t act very Christian-like today when he fired the entire staff of the food pantry and had police escort them off site.

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According to a Facebook post by Denise Russell, the food pantry’s executive director:

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“In a shocking display of callousness, Pastor Jonathan Barker and Grace Lutheran Church Council today terminated all Grace Welcome Center staff and had them escorted off church property by police – immediately after they finished serving breakfast to those in need. The Council has seized all facilities, food, and supplies intended for our community’s most vulnerable members…All services are temporarily suspended due to these actions. But hope remains strong. Kenosha Welcome Center will emerge from this stronger than ever. Our dedicated staff remain committed to our mission, and will continue employment under Kenosha Welcome Center. We will overcome these challenges and resume serving our community – because that’s what Kenosha does. We stand together. We will need your support more than ever as we rebuild. Stay tuned for updates on how you can help restore these vital community services. The heart of Grace Welcome Center has always been its people – not its building, and most certainly not this Church. Together, we will continue our mission of serving those in need.”

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According to Russell, over 250 families who will go without food this week and 150+ individuals each week who won’t receive their free homemade breakfast.

“What makes this especially devastating is that the Church Council had required our separation on July 27, 2024. After we legally established Kenosha Welcome Center (formally know[n] as Grace Welcome Center), established a Board, filed Articles of Incorporation, and started operating as KWC, they have attempted to seize control of an organization built by countless volunteer hours and community donations over the past seven years,” said Russell.

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“Pastor” Jonathan Barker is a controversial person in the community. He has been arrested several times in Kenosha and Milwaukee. He prides himself on being arrested.

On April 25, 2021, Barker was arrested for blocking access to the Kenosha Public Safety building. The Kenosha County Sheriff asked Kenosha DA Mike Graveley to charge Barker with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Graveley handed the case off to a neighboring county, where no criminal charges were filed. He was instead allowed to plead guilty to one non-criminal count of disorderly conduct. On August 23, 2023, he was arrested after blocking traffic in Milwaukee. KCE asked Milwaukee Police for records of the arrest, but were never provided with any.

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Here is the video of Barker rambling nonsense as he is being arrested by Milwaukee Police:

In April of 2024, Barker interrupted a Trump Rally in Green Bay. President Trump joked that Barker would “run home to his mom.” That is exactly what Barker did. He ran home to his mom, who then went on a live broadcast to talk about how proud she is of her “Pastor” son, who supports abortion until birth.

According to its website, the Council of Grace Lutheran church is as follows:

• Council president: Bert Felland
• Vice President: Gregory Foster
• Treasurer: Senja Underwood
• Secretary: Jarlene Kriehn
• Outreach & Evangelism: Karen Cassiday
• Worship & Music: Gracie Underwood
• Building & Grounds: position open
• Youth, Family, & Faith Formation: David Underwood
• Stewardship: Leah Schaut
• Peace and Justice Ministries: position open
• Love One Another Ministries: Vivienne Clyne
• At Large: Rich Knapp

KCE spoke with Jonathan Barker and he said he would send us a press release in the coming days. He has since removed the post off of Facebook and blocked access, but here is a screenshot: