Bishop Barkley E. Bailey, Sr. is a man with a vision and a divine purpose.  His vision is to build a ministry that produces disciples who are equipped to carry the Gospel to the world.  His divine purpose is to fulfill the will of God.  As pastor of the Bibleway Church Complex of North County (The Complex), he has devoted his life to grooming disciples through education, awareness and the teaching of the expressed Word of God.  Pastor Bailey is a firm and confident leader who believes that whatever is done for Christ should be done with compassion and excellence.  When asked what has been his greatest challenge as a pastor, Bishop Bailey replied, “My greatest challenge as a pastor has been trying to create a balance between family, work and the church.  To be bi-vocational is significantly challenging to a pastor to whom the Lord has given such a great vision, talent and passion for promulgating the gospel.  I have learned patience and obedience through the things that I had to suffer.”  Shepherding a flock is an awesome responsibility and Bishop Bailey attributes to his successes the significant and sacrificial support of family and friends, the devout teaching and training he has acquired from his parents, Bishop Richard and Mother Tommie Bailey, and the unwavering support of his wife First Lady Bailey.

Pastor Bailey is a member of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. headquartered in New York City, New York.  He has been a member of this organization for over 50 years.  He became an ordained Deacon in 1982 and served in that capacity for 10 years.  In 1992 he was called into the ministry and was ordained an Elder in the COOLJC, August of 1994.  He was appointed pastor of The Complex in 1997 and was elevated to the Bishopric on August 11, 2005.  Bishop Bailey is currently the Diocesan Bishop of the Missouri Diocese COOLJC. 

Pastor Bailey developed many of his leadership skills from two great men of God—the late Bishop Robert L. Bailey, his uncle and the Honorable Bishop Richard H. Bailey, Jr., his father.  Bishop Robert Bailey founded and served as pastor of the Refuge COOLJC in Madison, Illinois for 45 years and served as a Diocesan Bishop to the COOLJC for 29 years presiding over the legendary Illinois-Missouri-Wisconsin Tri-diocese.  Bishop Richard Bailey served as pastor of the Bibleway COOLJC for 39 years and served as the Diocesan Bishop to the Missouri Diocese of the COOLJC for 12 years.  Pastor Bailey’s works are grounded in a rich Apostolic framework as set by his predecessors. He seeks to promote a ministry founded on the principles of the Apostolic doctrine and to provide an atmosphere where all can serve and be served.

Bishop Bailey is a former Diocesan Sunday School Superintendent, Minister of Music, and Youth Overseer of the legendary COOLJC Illinois-Missouri-Wisconsin Tri-diocese and a former 13-year Youth Overseer for the current Missouri Diocese.  He serves on many committees at the International level of the COOLJC and is a former International Sunday School Sergeant-At-Arms.  He is also a gifted guitarist and pianist.  

Bishop Bailey holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. He is married to First Lady Alfredia Bailey and they have four children.