Stephen Barbee: From Dreams to Deliverance
A Journey of Redemption and Purpose
Stephen Barbee’s life story is one of Dreams, Destruction, Disgrace, and Deliverance. Once a rising athletic star and later a man broken by addiction, incarceration, and loss, Stephen has become a nationally recognized servant leader, motivational speaker, and transformational mentor whose life embodies the power of God’s redemptive grace.
Raised in a Christian home by Pastor Leo Barbee Jr. and his late mother, Juanita Anne, Stephen’s early years in Lawrence, Kansas, were marked by promise and potential. A standout athlete, he graduated from Lawrence High School in 1982 and earned All-American honors as a running back at Highland Community College, leading the nation’s junior colleges in all-purpose yards. His athletic journey continued at Peru State College, where he also played baseball before returning to Lawrence to coach at Haskell Indian Junior College.
But life took a darker turn. After moving to Chicago, Stephen drifted into addiction, homelessness, and despair. Once a resident at Pacific Garden Mission, he later returned as the organization’s first African American Men’s Division Director—a powerful symbol of transformation and hope. During this season, he also served as Chaplain at Lawndale Christian Health Center. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Trinity International University, following his studies in biblical theology at Moody Bible Institute.
Even after years of ministry and family life, Stephen faced relapse, homelessness, and a federal prison sentence. Yet it was behind prison walls that his true transformation began. God met him there—restoring his faith, renewing his purpose, and reigniting his calling to serve. While incarcerated, Stephen ministered to others, completed the intensive BOP-RDAP program, and embraced his divine second chance.
Released in 2012 after serving 44 months, Stephen’s life became a living testimony to grace. Within 73 days, God opened the door for him to return to ministry—this time at City Union Mission in Kansas City, Missouri, the same place he had once served before his fall. Since then, Stephen has dedicated his life to empowering others to overcome the very struggles he once faced.
As the Founder of P2P (Passion to Purpose), Stephen helps individuals transition from pain to purpose through mentorship, reentry support, and spiritual guidance. His leadership has impacted countless lives through organizations such as Metro Lutheran Ministry, ReStart Inc., Grace United Community Ministries, Connections to Success, and The Village Initiative. He has mentored men at Leavenworth U.S. Penitentiary, co-founded KC Outreach, and spoken in correctional facilities, churches, and conferences across the nation.
Stephen’s inspiring message has reached national platforms, including the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, and the Missouri Restorative Justice Conference. He has been featured in Victorious Living Magazine and served as a commencement speaker for Highland Community College.
Today, Stephen is a devoted husband to Deidre Anderson-Barbee, proud father to Latasha, Stephen, Sherell, Skyelar, and Bria, and loving grandfather to Ryeanne, Renae, Brielle, Zya, and Adonis. His journey from brokenness to breakthrough continues to inspire audiences everywhere—reminding us that no life is too far gone, no mistake too great, and no story too shattered for God to redeem.
Whether behind prison walls, in a pulpit, or at a community conference, Stephen Barbee stands as a living testimony that with faith, humility, and perseverance, transformation is always possible.