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| Eric J. Barden |
This page is a tribute to
Eric James Barden EJB
Apr. 2nd, 1962 ~ Dec. 7th, 2008
While at the NTCC National Campground one year, Eric and I had a rare opportunity to see a Snowy Egret. This beautiful bird landed at the western edge of the camp's lower lake which was partially shrouded in the foggy mist that rises from water in the autumn as the ambient air cools to temps below the water temperature. It was a special treat to see such a glorious creature on the camp; and Eric and I both treasured the event. The song below seems perfect for reflection on Eric, his life, and the things he cherished.
There is a section for comments located at the bottom of this page.
Fare Thee Well ~ 10,000 Miles
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Fare Thee Well by Mary Chapin Carpenter 10,000 Miles Lyrics
Fare thee well
My own true love
Farewell for a while
I'm going away
But Ill be back
Though I go 10,000 miles
10,000 miles
My own true love
10,000 miles or more
The rocks may melt
And the seas may burn
If I should not return
Oh don't you see
That lonesome dove
Sitting on an ivy tree
She's weeping for
Her own true love
As I shall weep for mine
Oh come ye back
My own true love
And stay a while with me
If I had a friend
All on this earth
You've been a friend to me.
Obituary:
Eric James Barden (EJB)
Eric James Barden (EJB)
Eric J. Barden, age 46, of Stevens Point, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2008, in Wausau. He was born on April 2, 1962 in Rhinelander to Erwin and Bernice (Maciejewski) Barden.
Eric graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1980. He attended Gogebic Community College for two years before entering the United States Army. He married his wife, Marilynn (Armstrong) on August 30, 2008 in Rhinelander. In his spare time, Eric enjoyed scuba-diving.
Eric is survived by his wife, Mari, his father, Erwin (Susan) Barden, of Pipe Creek, Texas; his step-son, Jason (Jen) Masch of Mauston; his brother, Keith Barden of Harshaw; his sister, Cindy (Rick) Weyenberg, of Hortonville; and his grandchildren, Jema, Holden, and Dakota. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bernice.
A Memorial Service for Eric will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 1:30 P.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bundy with Pastor Al Montgomery officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 P.M. until the time of services. Inurnment will be in Union Grove Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established in Eric's name and contributions may be directed to the family. Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, 715-365-4343, is assisting the family with arrangements and all are invited to share memories of Eric on-line at hildebrandfh.com.
And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou. ...
2 Samuel 3:33-34
GO HANG YOURSELF, ERIC J. BARDEN
Following is the true story of events leading up to Eric's leaving the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. If you knew Eric as I, his wife of 8 years did, you would know what a difficult and painful decision this was for him. But rodger wilson davis' callous treatment of Eric, refusing to provide safety equipment for him or let him work on a different project than a steep roof, despite Eric's 13+ years of faithful service to the NTCC was too much for him, so he left. Here is what happened:
In the past ntcc has successfully runoff various people by cutting them out one at a time and sending them packing. The ntcc knows that one person alone is less of a threat to their money-making empire than a whole group of people who demand to know where does the money go and what do the so-called leaders really do all day.
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How davis saw you!
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When Eric Barden struggled with working on a roof because he had no safety gear -- something the law requires the ntcc employer to supply -- davis told Eric, in effect, to go hang himself. davis had russ mears, Eric's friend and building crew foreman deliver the message to "tie a rope on" and george keener added "yeah, put it around your neck!"
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Safety Gear
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Each building crew member was put at risk that day to be forced to work without safety gear or "to go hang yourself". davis won a dirty battle by singling out one person and forcing them to choose to do it his way or hit the highway.
The sad fact is that Eric was run off because he expected ntcc to pay for safety gear as the law requires of employers.
The dirty fact is that rodger w. davis was trying to force Eric into buying the safety gear from Eric's measly ntcc wages. [More on that scam later.]
For weeks Eric had worked on getting the ntcc building crew in Washington to send safety gear to the Missouri ntcc Campground. He wanted the building crew members there to be able to work safely without falling off the steeply pitched roof of the two-story-plus-high, hotel-style building that they were erecting for ntcc next to the main conference building (tabernacle) at the camp. Eric's persistence paid off, in part. His continual calls convinced the borg to send two small safety harnesses for a project that had four men working on it. So the two skinny, younger men, dustin smart and russ mears, got their safety equipment thanks to Eric's conscientious effort. george 'dad' keener, being much older, was expected to work from the ground and would not need a harness. But Eric, who was not a small man, was not going to benefit from his labor [a pretty common theme for the workers in the ntcc, a multi-million dollar real estate corporation masquerading as a non-profit church]. There was no way either of the small harnesses would fit him or protect him.
So, the night before going up on that steep roof, Eric called rodger w. davis to plead one more time for safety gear, or the opportunity to work on another project. As usual, davis refused to answer the request at that time. [People in the ntcc and some reporters who have tried to speak with the ntcc leadership know that stonewalling or refusing to answer legitimate questions is a common stall and divert tactic employed by the borg 'leaders' and their cronies.]
The next morning russ mears had instructions from davis to tell Eric to "Tie a rope on!"
Those were the general's orders!
Though he was too much of a wimp to deliver the message himself! Instead davis decided to see if russ mears would still be loyal to rdub, even if it meant burning his long-time friend, Eric. Well, now we know the rest of the story. mears delivered the message, plunging the knife in and george keener gave it a twist, adding "Yeah, put it around your neck!" Does that sound like the love of God to you readers? I didn't think so either.
Eric worked that day, and was forced to risk injury and death because davis refuses to spend one penny on anyone but himself! What a selfish hypocrite davis is. He can demand that the ntcc buy him a new Cadillac every year; or when the odometer reaches 50,000 miles (whichever comes first); but don't you dare ask him to dip into the multi-million dollar coffers of the ntcc to buy safety gear. davis wants you to buy it yourself. Or, "If you don't like it... "Tie a rope on." and "Yeah, put it around your neck!"
The sad fact is that Eric was run off because he expected ntcc to pay for safety gear as the law requires of employers.
The dirty fact is that rodger w. davis was trying to force Eric into buying the safety gear from Eric's measly ntcc wages. [More on that scam later.]
For weeks Eric had worked on getting the ntcc building crew in Washington to send safety gear to the Missouri ntcc Campground. He wanted the building crew members there to be able to work safely without falling off the steeply pitched roof of the two-story-plus-high, hotel-style building that they were erecting for ntcc next to the main conference building (tabernacle) at the camp. Eric's persistence paid off, in part. His continual calls convinced the borg to send two small safety harnesses for a project that had four men working on it. So the two skinny, younger men, dustin smart and russ mears, got their safety equipment thanks to Eric's conscientious effort. george 'dad' keener, being much older, was expected to work from the ground and would not need a harness. But Eric, who was not a small man, was not going to benefit from his labor [a pretty common theme for the workers in the ntcc, a multi-million dollar real estate corporation masquerading as a non-profit church]. There was no way either of the small harnesses would fit him or protect him.
So, the night before going up on that steep roof, Eric called rodger w. davis to plead one more time for safety gear, or the opportunity to work on another project. As usual, davis refused to answer the request at that time. [People in the ntcc and some reporters who have tried to speak with the ntcc leadership know that stonewalling or refusing to answer legitimate questions is a common stall and divert tactic employed by the borg 'leaders' and their cronies.]
The next morning russ mears had instructions from davis to tell Eric to "Tie a rope on!"
Those were the general's orders!
Though he was too much of a wimp to deliver the message himself! Instead davis decided to see if russ mears would still be loyal to rdub, even if it meant burning his long-time friend, Eric. Well, now we know the rest of the story. mears delivered the message, plunging the knife in and george keener gave it a twist, adding "Yeah, put it around your neck!" Does that sound like the love of God to you readers? I didn't think so either.
Eric worked that day, and was forced to risk injury and death because davis refuses to spend one penny on anyone but himself! What a selfish hypocrite davis is. He can demand that the ntcc buy him a new Cadillac every year; or when the odometer reaches 50,000 miles (whichever comes first); but don't you dare ask him to dip into the multi-million dollar coffers of the ntcc to buy safety gear. davis wants you to buy it yourself. Or, "If you don't like it... "Tie a rope on." and "Yeah, put it around your neck!"
People should band together and force ntcc to change or force ntcc to go on without them.
What r w davis did to Eric James Barden was illegal!
He got away with it and other atrocities because others stood by and allowed their friend to suffer without anyone standing to help.
When we choose to do nothing to help, we are becoming a partaker in the sins of those who are hurting our brothers and sisters.
He got away with it and other atrocities because others stood by and allowed their friend to suffer without anyone standing to help.
When we choose to do nothing to help, we are becoming a partaker in the sins of those who are hurting our brothers and sisters.
Will you continue to abandon hurting brothers and sisters and those who stand up against the evil? Or will you stand up for Jesus and the Christian way and do something to send the message to ntcc that hurting "the least of these" is the same as hurting Christ?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Matthew 25:40
It is your choice. Remember:
UNITED WE STAND
Who says ntcc should provide safety gear for workers whose ultimate boss is r w davis?
Well, the law of the land does.
OSHA inspectors enforcing laws.
But ultimately the real authority comes from God who specifically instructed us about this very thing in the scripture:
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. Deuteronomy 22:8
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HATH MADE
In the middle of July, 1991, Eric asked me to marry him.
I remember praying that God would allow R. W. Davis to perform the marriage for us.
He did.
Psalm 118:24
Was the theme of our wedding:
This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Over the years (and still today) I would learn the significance of this verse.
Praise God Who sees the end from the beginning!
Today Is The Day Video by Lincoln Brewster Click Here
The point is to fall off the roof and let God heal you... like Eli Gesang taught in his class. He fell off a roof, prayed, laid in a waterbed and was miraculously healed the next day.
ReplyDeleteGod is great - not.
Ha Ha Nicole, I like your satire. But it is written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God".
ReplyDeleteWho says ntcc should provide safety gear for workers whose ultimate boss is r w davis?
ReplyDeleteWell, the law of the land does.
OSHA inspectors enforcing laws.
But ultimately the real authority comes from God who specifically instructed us about this very thing in Deuteronomy chapter 22 verse 8:
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.
God says:
I debated adding this song "I Am Free by the Newsboys" simply because the title could be misinterpreted in a negative light.
ReplyDeleteBut if you listen to the lyrics, and take the time to read the on-screen scriptures, this video can really minister to you. It certainly does that for me.
Ange
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 11:00:00 PM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI remember Bro. Eric Barden. He was a nice, kind-hearted man that would stop at nothing to help you if he could. I'm saddened to hear of his death, but he is on to his reward. It's late, but I celebrate his life and what he stood for. I hope that I an half the man he was. My name is David Dyal.
Thursday, February 17, 2011 9:30:00 AM
David,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words about Eric. He was a good man and very dedicated to ntcc.
Unfortunately, they were not willing to reciprocate his loyalty.
The sad fact is that Eric was run off because he expected ntcc to pay for safety gear as the law requires of employers.
The dirty fact is that rodger w. davis was trying to force Eric into buying the safety gear from Eric's measly ntcc wages. [More on this scam later.]
For weeks Eric had worked on getting the ntcc building crew in Washington to send safety gear to the Missouri ntcc Campground so the workers could build safely.
The night before going up on that steep roof, Eric called rodger w. davis to plead one more time for safety gear or the opportunity to work on another project. As usual davis refused to answer the request at that time.
The next morning russ mears had instructions from davis to tell Eric to "Tie a rope on!"
Those were the general's orders!
Though he was too much of a wimp to deliver the message himself! Instead davis decided to see if russ mears would still be loyal to rdub, even if it meant burning his long-time friend, Eric.
Eric was forced to risk injury and death because davis refuses to spend one penny on anyone but himself! He can afford a new Cadillac every year; or when the odometer reaches 50,000 miles; but don't you dare ask him to dip into the multi-million dollar coffers of the ntcc to buy safety gear. davis wants you to buy it yourself. Or, "If you don't like it... "Tie a rope on." and "Yeah, put it around your neck!"
This incident was my defining moment in the ntcc. When this happened I knew:
-davis had lied about every other person who left ntcc, smearing them from the pulpit without any other witness and without anyone daring to question his lies...
-I knew that if davis could be so cruel and thoughtless to a man like Eric who had sacrificed all (including the chance to have children) in order to keep ntcc RULES, then davis could care less about anyone and was a bald-faced liar.
-And I knew I could no longer be a part of such a messed up selfish group set up for the sole purpose of making davis and his family filthy rich.
rodger w. davis never apologized for his actions.
rodger w. davis never spoke to me or came to see why Eric left or what had happened.
rodger w.davis never tried to reach out to Eric.
rodger w. davis is no pastor.
rodger w. davis is a hireling.
I hope and believe that Eric found his peace again after leaving the demanding, destructive, and controlling cult called ntcc.
Angela
Thursday, February 17, 2011 6:03:00 PM
SG said...
ReplyDeleteI still have pictures in my photo album of all of us together eating...seams it was our favorite past-time. He was sincere and he tried.
It seams that those who demand to be respected- don't give any out. Sorry for yours and Eric's disregard by ntcc. Rest in peace, Eric.
Love Susan Gallagher
Monday, January 16, 2012 2:09:00 PM
Susan, thanks for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteLove, Ange
P.S. Your comment about us always eating made me smile. That was one of the few activities approved by the organization back in those days. You could attend church, go soulwinning, or fellowship - which always involved eating food, food, and more food.
Then davis would get up in the pulpit and rail on people for being fat, even when he was no slim-jim himself! In one conference he made three men stand up so he could mock them for being overweight. Eric was one of them. His nickname, as I recall, was 'Brother Ford' yuck, yuck, yuck *sigh*
davis was all about mocking others under the guise of 'having fun'. The bible calls that jesting; and it is forbidden. Christians are not supposed to do that. And this was not an isolated thing, but a life-style for davis, his bread and butter - putting others down to try and make himself seem to be higher than others.
*sigh*
If Eric could see the ntcc today, he would literally roll over in his grave.
But Eric is beyond all that now.
Once again, thanks for your kind words.
Monday, January 16, 2012 5:00:00 PM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete(SG said...Monday, January 16, 2012 2:09:00 PM
It seams that those who demand to be respected- don't give any out. Sorry for yours and Eric's disregard by ntcc.
Love Susan Gallagher)
Really Sue? Are you serious? You literally cried in the parking lot of how much you love NTCC and the people. After you and yours left you still cried about how you love NTCC and want to come back. While you were there you didn't do anything but talk bad about each and every person there. Then you would smile in their faces like you never said anything. Yet you have the nerve to talk about being disregarded? Not being respected? You don't have any room to bring those up!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 5:45:00 PM
We think Sue has every right to discuss her ntcc experience. But really she was saying that ntcc completely disregards and disrespects those who, like Eric Barden, are the most loyal and respectful of the ntcc.
ReplyDeleteI think it is natural for Sue to miss those people she considered her friends in ntcc. She is human and does love very deeply. Yet you want to treat her as if she has no right to miss her friends. You want to cast stones at her; but aren't you yourself guilty of equally reprehensible behavior? Are do you, like those in the bible who took the woman in adultery, think you are without sinand have some right to cast stones?
I don't know who you are, anon; but from your presentation here, you appear to be struggling and hateful.
I have seen Sue and her family weather several storms in their Christian walk, any one of which would level many a soul. Yet they have continued in the faith. They have endured many years in the ntcc system with ever-changing rules and multiple pastors and ministers, all of whom bring their own interpretation of the ntcc scheme into the mix. That is to say each personality affected how these ministers interpreted the ntcc rules and in turn how the church members were treated as a result of that interpretation. It takes great Christian character to survive such a strange environment as what ntcc has put Sue and her family through. I'm proud to call Sue and her family friends.
Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:45:00 AM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteNowhere does it state she can't miss anyone. Nowhere did it say she doesn't have the right to discuss NTCC. She was never loyal and didn't give much respect. What it does say is she's FAKE for crying behind closed doors how people like you are truly scum and how she is tired of you and your kind trashing NTCC,but then here on your blog she shoves NTCC under the bus. I didn't cast a stone. I hit that fake loyal "friend" with a ton of bricks! You got all that proof yet? Didn't think so. Please do tell everyone what NTCC supposedly put Fake Sue and her family through. Share it like it's a real good true story. You think you're good at story telling so go ahead and share it.
It would be better though if she got on here and told it. It changes every time she talks to someone about it.
One other thing, WHY did it take you and Super Fake Sue 20 plus years to decide that NTCC was so horrible? That really shows anyone with even an ounce of brains that something is really wrong with you two. 20 plus years to realize NTCC was horrible? I don't know if I should laugh or feel sorry for you.
Thursday, June 28, 2012 12:52:00 PM
Don and Ange said...
ReplyDeleteAnonymous or Ember if that's your real name, why are you so offended and expending so much hatred trying to defend your cult? Shouldn't you be out soul winning or praying? There are souls dying and going to hell and you are busy trying to discredit X-members of a dying cult. You seem to be filled with malice and your anger shows more each time you write something. Instead of defending your cult, you lash out at us with slanderous remarks. We have tried to give you some degree of respect and allow you to speak your mind on our blog, but you are not confronting any of the issues that we have brought up.
What you are accomplishing is a testament to what the ntcc is all about and you are doing a great job of representing the ntcc. You talk down to others just like an ntcc preacher does. When are you going to bible school? Is your husband called to preach? Get it out of your system now because if you become an ntcc ministers wife, your role will change drastically. It is not a woman's place to usurp authority over a man. A woman is to be in subjection and you will quickly find that out if you bring your attitude into the ntcs. Wait till you get jacked up by Kekel or RWD. Let's see how well you fall into your place when you get accused of ruining your husbands ministry.
I guess we shouldn't expect intelligent conversation from someone who lives in a controlled environment and has limited use of their mental capacities. I was thinking about deleting your ignorant comments but you make our case more and more every time you post. As you continue to lash out without providing any substance or any proof that you are not in a cult, it's clear to see that you are indeed brainwashed.
DnA
Thursday, June 28, 2012 2:52:00 PM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIntelligent conversation is not what you give or bring. You give and bring trash talk. I'm not the one that took 10 to 20 years to realize I was unhappy. So if anyone is brainwashed it is you. Also I don't hate. You and your unhappy followers do. If speaking the truth is talking down to you then so be it. That you can not handle. That is your problem. That is what you so blindly don't grasp. You delete anything that doesn't follow you around and agree. Again you have no proof to back up your ignorant rants. So long liar.
Thursday, June 28, 2012 3:20:00 PM
So typical of an indoctrinated ntcc cult member. She brings ZERO substance to the conversation. She has no scripture to back up or validate what she says; because she has done nothing but launch groundless personal attacks while stamping her foot nd demanding that everyone play by her rules. She demands proof; but is too stupid or lazy to read the proof already provided. She already knows how weak her case is; so she calls us liars (without proof) and says she won't be back. The truth is she cannot use the bible to support the ntcc false doctrine so she needs an excuse to leave and says BYE. We dare you to read the blog and prove what you claim or be found a liar. We already know you are a hypocrite; because you defend the ntcc without really following their edicts. You are lukewarm.
ReplyDeleteThursday, June 28, 2012 3:31:00 PM