By: Elowen Gray
Life is a colorful fabric threaded together by joy and sorrow, uncertainty and triumph. In his emotionally touching and spiritually enriching book, A Testimony of the Goodness of God, Pastor Barry Wayne Witt details his life journey of determining and affirming God’s goodness despite the ebbs and flows thrown his way throughout life. Releasing in March 2024, this Christian non-fiction is an invitation to the transformational journey of faith, purpose, and deep love that God has toward each of us.
With deep storytelling, scriptural wisdom, and decades of pastoral experience, Pastor Witt puts together more than a work in these pages; instead, it is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with God Himself, to the discovery of His purpose for our lives, and to share this testimony with others as a means of inspiring them.
A Beacon of Light in Life’s Complexity
Wrapped up in the core of A Testimony of the Goodness of God is the timeless truth that God’s love is constant, His presence enduring, and His goodness unshakable. This often gets obscured by the hustle and bustle of modern life. Pastor Witt’s mission in writing this book is to help readers rediscover the beauty of God’s grace in every chapter of their lives.
Based on 2 Peter 1:15, “I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease,” is the legacy of faith that is this book’s gift to future generations. This work was penned by Pastor Witt with his family in mind, more so his grandkids. He hopes that long after he is gone, they and the multitudes who read his words will seek God, find His goodness, and share that love with others.
What Makes This Book Stand Out?
Since its publication, A Testimony of the Goodness of God has deeply resonated with readers from all walks of life. Whether reconnecting with faith, working through doubts, or seeking to deepen a strong relationship with God, this book offers solace, wisdom, and encouragement.
Readers can expect to find:
- Personal Stories: Pastor Witt shares stories of how even God can utilize moments that turn out to be disastrous on the path to something suitable for man. Those moments are sometimes quiet and poignant and may lead to significant break-throughs-moments to be shared in relatableness and inspiration.
- Biblical Anchors: Each chapter is interspersed with Scriptures from the Bible, grounding the book’s themes in timeless truth. These scriptures have been guiding lights, connecting personal experiences to God’s eternal promises.
- Opportunities for Reflection: More than sharing his journey, Pastor Witt encourages readers to reflect on their lives, recognize God’s presence in their struggles and triumphs, and find their unique purpose in His plan.
One of the most poignant passages from the book encapsulates the message:
“Our relationship to God has to be a No. 1 priority. We have the ability, because of God’s Son’s work of salvation, mediation, and advocacy for us with the Holy Father God, to relate personally with God Almighty as we hear from Him by reading and studying the word of God.
This passage points out that the book nurtures the personal and intimate relationship with God, which would lend strength and clearness to life’s most complex moments.
The Inspiration behind the Message
To Pastor Witt, A Testimony of the Goodness of God is so much more than a book-it is his calling. With 28 years of pastor service to his credit at Roanoke, Virginia, there have been enough life events on the back of faith inside others and within him. Yet, the maximum inspiration he feels comes from being the grandfather to two very prized kids.
The book is dedicated to his grandchildren, a testimony that he hopes they and all who read it will come to know God personally. Pastor Witt draws strength from the Biblical mandate to leave behind a spiritual legacy. His writings serve as a guide for his family and a beacon for anyone seeking to experience the depth of God’s goodness.
This, too, is not the only passion for spreading the Gospel. In his earlier book, Walking Through Life’s Losses, Pastor Witt took time to dwell on finding hope in the face of grief- a sure work of intertwining personal vulnerability with spiritual strength.
Faith in Action: Applying the Book’s Lessons
A Testimony of the Goodness of God is universally applicable because it deals practically with life’s journey. It provides tools for deepening one’s faith and sharing it with others.
- Rediscovering Faith: Pastor Witt invites readers to look into their lives and find the moments when God’s presence was most evident. Be it a still, small voice of doubt or an unmistakable blessing in a time of need, this reflection may well re-ignite a passion for faith.
- Finding Purpose: This is a book that reminds readers of a personal plan that God has for every one of us. Trusting in His leading makes it possible to face uncertainty confidently and hopefully.
- Testimony: One of the main trends in the entire book is that “telling testimonies” helps people get better. Pastor Witt feels grateful to God just by testifying to Him, and by continuing to testify of His goodness through our faith-walks is encouraging others on their quest and pursuit for and of God-a God, Who takes them into very deep places of change or transformation.
About the Author
Barry Wayne Witt is a man of profound faith and a convicting heart. It has been the privilege of giving his life unto the pastoral ministry that has spread into nearly three continuous decades, proclaiming Christ and nurturing congregates as a community within the Body. His love is for God in the first instance; his love is for the congregation- the family. These have been reflected in every single area of ministry.
Alongside and beyond his profession as a pastor comes Pastor Witt in his roles as a loving husband, father, and granddad. Very much in retirement, he enjoys the studying of God’s Word, serving his loved ones, and then walking with His church family as part of their growing faith journey together with Himself-which translates throughout his writing about the wisdom won from many fruitful years in serving one’s ministry effectively and sincerely and living one’s life for serving God.
A Call to Reflect, Rejoice, and Testify
A Testimony of the Goodness of God is more than a book; it’s an invitation. Pastor Witt dares readers to cast their view of life through the eyes of faith: to see God’s hand in both the extraordinary and the every day and then to share those sights with the world.
In so doing, the readers grow in their relationship with God and, at the same time, encourage others to seek Him. Sharing one’s testimony has a ripple effect, spreading God’s love and goodness to friends, family, and beyond.
Looking to the Future
As readers close the final pages of A Testimony of the Goodness of God, they do so with purpose and hope. Pastor Witt’s message is clear: God’s goodness is not confined to the past or the future-it is present in every moment of our lives.
For those who want more, Pastor Witt invites the readers to join his Facebook page at Barry Witt. He does this by offering encouragement and continuing insight, thus keeping people connected to their journey.
Final Words of Encouragement
In A Testimony of the Goodness of God, Pastor Witt has written an inspiring and heartfelt book. He hopes that through this book, the reader will seek to know Him more intimately, trust Him more deeply, and share His love more freely.
May this book remind you that God is always present, good, and working in our lives for a greater purpose. As you reflect on your journey, may you find the courage to testify to His goodness and inspire others to do the same.
Faith is never a solo flight. Let a Testimony of the Goodness of God be your roadmap, encouragement, and call to action.
Published by Stephanie M.
