Mary Anne Waites Barkley has devoted her life to knowing God and encouraging others to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. After this introduction, she is known here simply as Anne.
Faith Beginnings
Anne was born July 11, 1946, into a Christian home. Equality Methodist Church, located next door, had a profound influence on her life, and she accepted Jesus at age nine.
Family and Spiritual Formation
She married Thomas W. Barkley in 1964. After their children, Audra Anne and Jeremy Heath, were born in the 1970s, God set her on a personal pursuit to understand the gift and power of the Holy Spirit and the life of Christ manifested in and through believers. That pursuit began her lifelong passion to know God and make Him known.
Ministry and Teaching
Anne has served in music ministry and in teaching and leadership with children, youth, and adults in the local church. She has also served in the District Lay Speaking Ministry as a Certified Lay Speaker and an Advanced Lay Speaking Instructor.
The Die Has Been Cast
Her pursuit of truth took on a new focus in November 2008 after the words “The Die Has Been Cast” came to her the morning following the election. The research and study that followed resulted in a historical work dated September 28, 2011; her Faith Journey recalls the broader research document as completed in 2012.
From the Throne
During that same period, Anne began sharing by email the From the Throne messages written by Betty Jo Hardy, her cousin’s wife. She continued that stewardship until Betty Jo’s passing in December 2021 and continues her own devotional ministry at fromthethrone.org.
Bible Studies
With encouragement from Betty Jo’s daughters, Anne began Bible studies honoring their mother’s legacy. These eight-week studies help people hear God’s voice, grow in Scripture, and make the teaching available beyond the room where it was first shared.
A Continuing Conviction
Anne continues to hold to this conviction: “God is real and still on the Throne; God has a plan; God is in control; and God loves us.”
To God be the glory for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do.