WHAT is InWord?

The Bible is not solely an instructional manual or textbook, but rather an experience of love that is to be engaged and internalized in a way that personally exposes us to the redemptive, unconditional love of God. InWord is what its name implies: A ministry dedicated to getting into God’s Word, and allowing God’s Word to get into us.

WHAT is InWord?

InWord is a non-denominational, non-profit Bible ministry committed to faith formation that comes from meaningful engagement in God’s Word. Born in 1996 out of a local youth ministry, InWord began as an organic effort to help teens experience God first-hand through His Word, creating small-group studies and providing training that utilizes inductive study as a tool for deeper Bible engagement. InWord’s calling has grown to include creating personal resources for adult believers as well as for teens.

Through personal devotionals, small-group materials, blog posts, a short-form podcast, and other personal tools, InWord is on a relentless mission to strengthen personal faith for-mation with meaningful Bible engagement, helping believers experience God intimately through His Word. In essence, we are striving to be what our name implies.

Our Guiding Principles

  • The Bible is not solely an instructional manual or textbook, but rather an experience of love that is to be engaged and internalized in a way that personally exposes us to the redemptive, unconditional love of God. We need enduring experiences in Scripture that draw us to an intimate relationship with Jesus and that encourage living a life “worthy of the gospel.”
  • As believers, whether seasoned or new, we are susceptible to “every wind of doctrine” without a solid foundation in the Word of God. Temptations, hardships, and challenging life circumstances will come our way. Will our responses be Word-driven or flesh-driven?
  • God is active in this world. The better we understand how God worked in His Word, the more attentive we are to His work around us today. As we understand how God has worked in the past and know what God has said about Himself, we are better positioned to join God where He is working.

InWord’s Director

Barry Shafer has been communicating the truth of God’s Word since 1984 as a volunteer youth leader, youth pastor, pastor, author and trainer/speaker. Barry, with his late wife Dana, founded InWord Resources in 1996 to strengthen youth ministry with discipleship materials and experiences that meaningfully engage teens in Scripture. Barry is author of Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties/Zondervan) and has written numerous teen devotionals and small-group Bible studies. Barry holds a mass communications degree from Anderson University (Anderson, Ind.) and a master’s degree in biblical studies from Cincinnati Bible Seminary (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Barry’s journey through loss and recovery has deepened his calling to help believers develop a healthy faith formation based on what God has said about Himself through His Word. Serving part-time as a hospice chaplain, Barry is face-to-face every day with the need for, and the rewards of, healthy faith formation.

Barry lives in Middletown, Ohio with his grade-school kiddos Reade and Rachel and his wife Jessica, who happens to be a Grammy-winning opera soprano. If you’re curious about that fascinating world you can check out Jessica’s website here!  www.jessicarivera.com

When Barry’s not studying, writing, being a diva spouse, “chaplain-ing,” or “daddy-ing” Reade and Rachel, you can find him reading on the porch, biking on a trail, pulling for the Packers, or playing a little golf. You may also enjoy some of Barry’s observations on fatherhood as a “seasoned” dad at www.olderdadnotes.com. 

InWord’s Board of Directors

Kevin Ledford

Kevin serves as an IT strategist at large, having completed a long run with Chiquita Brands International as Senior Vice President of IT/Chief Information Officer. A longtime InWord supporter, Kevin holds the unique title of InWord’s first-ever donor. With their three daughters now having children of their own, Kevin and his wife Sherry enjoy grandparenting from their perch in Coldwater, Mich.

“I’ve walked with InWord since its inception and I’ve always believed in the vital role it plays in God’s kingdom. In fact, I’ve used nearly every study as an adult Sunday school teacher. There’s nothing out there like InWord and I’m excited to be part of the journey forward.”   

Jennifer Bellin

Jennifer is currently serving as chief marketing office for PFL, a nationwide direct mail company. She is a passionate VC fund manager, angel investor, and B2B marketing executive in the HR, Healthcare and Marketing technology space. Jennifer not only brings needed marketing skills to the team, but also needed non-profit skills as a public relations director of the Cincinnati Opera, and as co-founder/director of Steps for Success, a program to help disadvantaged high school students establish successful post-graduation plans. Jennifer is married to Adam and they live in Centerville, Ohio.

“I was fortunate to grow up in Barry’s youth and college-age groups. His study method has shaped the way I view and understand that Bible today. I’m excited to help InWord continue to deliver wow moments to youth and adults throughout the nation.”

Chuck Bost, II

Chuck has been a volunteer Bible teacher since 1995. Chuck has come alongside InWord in many ways since its inception: volunteer designer, volunteer worker, and charter supporter.  Married to Susan, Chuck holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and currently earns his living as a manufacturing supply chain professional. They live in Monroe, Ohio.

“I have worked with InWord from the beginning, have seen students’ favorable responses to Barry’s Bible study approach; I look forward to being a continuing part of the Lord’s plans for this ministry. By supporting InWord, Susan and I can play a larger role in being part of God’s Word accomplishing what He desires (Isaiah 55:11).”