Mikeal Barnes II shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Mikeal, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Prayer. Every morning I get up and pray with two of my close friends Malachi Robinson (the great maestro) and Dave Walters Jr (the filmmaker) and meditate on Gods goodness and mercy, then whatever song God lays on my heart I put it on and worship him.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Greetings! My name is Mikeal Barnes II and I bring you love and peace from Burlington NC. Today I’m being interviewed to talk to you all about my Nonprofit Organization People Who Inspire Change Inc. This nonprofit that God has trusted me with, focuses on community based service and aid for those who are homeless and less fortunate. We are dedicated to the highest quality of aid for the community, delivered with trust, thoughtfulness and care. Although I am glad to be able to speak about this part of my ministry, I am more inclined to speak to you all about my Young Adult Ministry which is another branch of People Who Inspire Change, known as Leaders Of Tomorrow. Leaders Of Tomorrow is my current focus because it is imperative that I reach my generation, as well as generations past, present, and future and bring them back into oneness with God. I have had several conferences such as a prayer retreat, a conference on sexuality in the church, and a health care conference that focused on Naturopathic Medicine which was taught by my good friend and cousin, Bianca Best. The ultimate goal here at People Who Inspire Change is to empower the everyday person who faces the tests and trials of life and let them know that God still loves them.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Thank you for that question! God. God saw me clearly before I could see myself. His word says that he knew me before I was “ever formed in your mother’s womb” in Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5. It was he who even gave me the heart and the drive to be able to do what I get to do today and serve in this capacity. After God it’d have to be my mom. Shout out to my First Lady for sure! She continues to always pray for me, stand beside and support me, and is always present. Then after her I’d have to say my leaders. Apostle Faiger and Grea Blackwell of Pinnacle Ministries and Pinnacle Ministries North (Yanceyville), who continue to cover me in prayer and push me to be better and challenge me to grow in Gods word.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Wow! This question here is a good one! 2 Timothy 2:12 states “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” and that taught me that your present situation isn’t final. In 2020 and 2021 I went down a rabbit hole. I was doing things that I knew were wrong, hanging out with people who were no good and I caused that suffering, but once I got rebaptized and rededicated my life to Christ that’s when the suffering really started. I tried to commit suicide, I got hit by an 18 wheeler, once was being evicted and was in the process of having my car repossessed and that taught me that faith has more power than being labeled “successful” in man’s eyes. Suffering is mentioned over a hundred times in the Bible and success (depending on what version you read) is mentioned anywhere from 25-54 times, thus showing us that you’re more likely to suffer more than you have success, but your success should not be dictated based on how much money you have or your title(s) or accolades, but how much love you can give the next person despite your differences.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Learning to love others unconditionally. Simple. The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:8 that “love covers a multitude of sins” and that’s what this world needs today, LOVE! We have got to learn to love people no matter what age, race or ethnicity, where a person comes from, how much money they have or don’t have, their political or religious affiliation, their social status, sexuality, and all other nonsense that causes division and strife. God is not pleased, and the belief that I can love some who has a different outlook on life than I do is what I am committed to and ultimately what People Who Inspire Change and Leaders Of Tomorrow is all about.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I loved God and I loved his people. For three years I worked at Blackwell’s Funeral Home here in Burlington and a few lessons that I learned from working there are life is short, people are rude when it’s time to give out obituaries, and that your love for others will speak for you well after you’re gone!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @peoplewhoinspirechange & @leadersoftomorrow_
- Facebook: Mikeal Barnes II
