General Secretary Donna L. Barrett of the General Council of the Assemblies of God will retire at the end of 2025, closing a historic tenure marked by her role as the first woman to hold an executive office in the Pentecostal denomination.
Barrett, who was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in late 2023, said her recovery gave her fresh perspective on life and ministry. In a Sept. 18 announcement from AG News, she explained that after years of service she sensed God’s assurance that “the time was right” to step aside.
“I’m grateful for my health and healing from the Lord,” Barrett said. “It’s also a reminder to me that life is precious. I’ve worked hard my entire career and I’m now beyond retirement age and feel it’s time to embrace this next chapter.”
She added, “I’m proud to say I’ve completed the major projects and assignments I felt called to finish. I didn’t want to leave things undone, and now I can step away knowing those assignments have been fulfilled.”
Melissa Alfaro, an ordained female executive presbyter, described Barrett as a “pathfinder to women ministers.” She credited Barrett with charting “paths in areas of high-level leadership and inspiring women, through her example and leadership, to steward their voice around the decision-making table and their influence around the Fellowship with great clarity and precision.”
Alfaro also praised Barrett’s “spiritual elder” role, highlighting her diligence, pastoral heart, and commitment to prayer.
Women have been ordained to all levels of leadership in the Assemblies of God since the Fellowship’s founding in 1914.
Before her election as general secretary in 2018, Barrett served on the Executive Presbytery of the Ohio Ministry Network and the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God.
According to the announcement, Barrett was saved and baptized in the Spirit in 1975. She initially worked as a paralegal before entering full-time ministry in 1988. She later served as a youth pastor in Youngstown, Ohio, for 10 years, then as an associate pastor in Cleveland for seven years, before planting Rockside Church in 2002.
AG General Superintendent Doug Clay commended Barrett’s service. “Donna’s ministry experiences combined with her God-given gifts have given her great effectiveness as general secretary,” he said. “The Assemblies of God family is deeply grateful for Donna’s ministry and leadership. Her spiritual maturity and technical skills have been a great blessing to our Fellowship. I pray God’s continued blessing on her in this next season.”
As general secretary, Barrett’s responsibilities included maintaining records of ministers and churches, keeping minutes of major governing bodies, signing legal documents, and overseeing offices such as Ethnic Relations, Hispanic Relations, the Network of Women Ministers, and the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. She also provided leadership for publications such as Influence magazine and the Called to Serve newsletter.
Former General Secretary James T. Bradford said Barrett elevated the office. “She walks closely to the Lord while bringing both legal and administrative acumen to the responsibilities of her office,” he said. “Donna also has been very much in demand as a speaker and mentor. She will be missed!”
According to AG News, General Council bylaws assign the Executive Presbytery the responsibility of filling midterm vacancies. Barrett pledged to support a “smooth transition in leadership” to her successor, who is expected to be confirmed before her retirement.
Reflecting on her service, Barrett called her time as general secretary “the privilege of a lifetime” and promised her “ongoing prayers for the Assemblies of God.”
