Ken Barker is married to Brenda Barker, and they raised eleven children together. Their family is a little “United Nations,” because each of their children has been adopted from another country—India, China, Latvia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. Ken has served in various church leadership roles, including Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Home Group leader, Area Pastor for Home Groups, Men’s Group leader, Pianist, Worship Specialist, and Choir Director.

Ken Barker earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Texas A&M University in Canyon and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas in Denton. His performing instruments are piano and trumpet. While in college Ken dedicated his life to serving the Christian music world. In his 42 ½ combined years working at Word Music and Lifeway Worship, he served as Associate or Project Editor for four major hymnals and has published hundreds of arrangements and compositions. His songs have been recorded by Sandi Patty, Cimorelli, and others. He also arranged eight best-selling easy and intermediate solo piano collections. He has been nominated for nine Dove Awards, winning one in 2003.

Ken Barker chronicles his journey of building a family through adoption in his book, Coming Home.