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George Barna

George Barna has filled executive roles in politics, marketing, advertising, media development, research, and ministry. He founded the Barna Research Group in 1984 (now the Barna Group) and helped it become a leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture before selling it in 2009. He has served several hundred parachurch ministries, several thousand Christian churches, and many other nonprofit and for-profit organizations as well as the US military.

Barna has written fifty books, mostly addressing leadership, social trends, spiritual development, and church dynamics. They include numerous bestsellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, Pagan Christianity?, The Cause within You, and The Power of Vision. His most recent books include Maximum Faith, which discusses his groundbreaking research on how God transforms people's lives. Several of his books have received national awards, and his works have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages. He has sold more books based on survey research related to matters of faith than any author in American history.

His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. Barna has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian Church today" and has been named by various media as one of the nation's most influential Christian leaders. Reflecting his love of writing, he has recently been ghostwriting books for others. He is also a consultant to political organizations and candidates.

A frequent speaker at ministry conferences around the world, he has been on the faculty of several universities and seminaries, and has served as a pastor of a large, multiethnic church as well as a house church, and has helped to start several other churches. Barna currently serves as the executive director of the American Culture and Faith Institute, and leads the faith development ministry Metaformation.

After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two master's degrees from Rutgers University and a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.

George has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nancy, since 1978. They have three adopted daughters and live in southern California. He enjoys reading novels, playing guitar, listening to music, rooting for the Yankees and the Lakers, and relaxing on the beach. He and his family attend Mission Church in Ventura.

Fun Facts:

Served as chairman of Newt Gingrich's National Faith Leaders Coalition in the 2012 presidential campaign

Wrote the bestseller The Power of Vision in four days Traveled to Florida to watch Yankees spring training games for six seasons Adopted his three daughters from foreign countries (Guatemala and Russia) Plays bass and particularly loves blues; is a member of the Grammy Association Has been to twenty-two countries around the world; his favorites are England and Australia.

George Barna fue criado y educado en la Costa Este y luego se mudó a California, a principios de los ’80. Ocupó cargos ejecutivos en publicidad, campañas políticas e investigación de medios/mercadotecnia antes de fundar su propia compañía, Barna Research Group (ahora llamado The Barna Group), en 1984. La firma analiza la cultura estadounidense y crea recursos y experiencias diseñadas para facilitar la transformación moral y espiritual. El Barna Group, situado en Ventura, California, proporciona investigación de campo así como también recursos para el desarrollo y diagnósticos analíticos. La compañía ha prestado servicios a cientos de ministerios paraeclesiásticos y a miles de iglesias cristianas de Estados Unidos. También ha realizado investigación a pedido de corporaciones como Ford Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, Visa USA, Prudential y también colaboró con la Armada y el Ejército de los Estados Unidos.Al día de hoy, George Barna ha escrito más de 40 libros, en su mayoría en las áreas de liderazgo, tendencias, desarrollo espiritual y la salud de la iglesia. Entre ellos se incluyen libros de mayor venta como Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, The Power of Vision, and Pagan Christianity? Varios de sus libros han recibido premios a nivel nacional. También ha escrito para numerosos periódicos y ha publicado varios informes independientes sobre temas relacionados con la fe y el estilo de vida. Así mismo, escribe un informe especial bimensual, llamado The Barna Update, al que acceden cientos de miles de personas mediante el sitio en Internet de su compañía (www.barna.org).Su obra es citada frecuentemente por los medios como una fuente fidedigna. Ha sido aclamado como “la persona más citada de la Iglesia cristiana actual” y es uno de sus líderes más influyentes. En 2009, George fundó Metaformation, una nueva organización diseñada para ayudar a las personas a aprovechar al máximo su potencial. Usted puede encontrar más información sobre sus proyectos actuales en www.georgebarna.com.Barna es un orador popular en conferencias sobre el ministerio en todo el mundo y ha enseñado en diversas universidades y seminarios. Se ha desempeñado como pastor de una gran iglesia multiétnica, ha estado involucrado en la fundación de varias iglesias y actualmente lidera una iglesia “orgánica”. Ha sido parte de la junta directiva de varias organizaciones. Luego de graduarse con altos honores en el Boston College, Barna obtuvo dos Licenciaturas en Rutgers University. En Rutgers, se le otorgó la beca Eagleton. También recibió un doctorado de Dallas Baptist University.Vive con su esposa y tres hijas en el sur de California. Disfruta pasando tiempo con su familia, escribiendo, leyendo novelas, tocando guitarra y escuchando música de guitarra, descansando en la playa, visitando librerías y comiendo pizza.

Matthew Barnett interview: The Cause Within You