An Unexpected, God-Sized Connection in Christ

Eliana Gentosi, a DMC second grader, walked into Mr. DJ Barker’s second grade classroom at DMC in August 2023. Little did they know, the connection between their two families actually goes back 30 years. Eliana is the daughter of Michael and Alana Gentosi, both 1998 graduates of Des Moines Christian School. Eliana’s grandfather, Pastor John Berglund (Alana’s dad), was the pastor of Cornerstone Community Church from 1990-1996, and during that time, Mr. Barker’s parents, Eric and Georgia Barker, began attending with Mr. Barker, who was just a baby.  

The Barker family in the Cornerstone Community Church directory circa 1994. 

Eric and Georgia Barker were seeking truth and wanted to be a part of a church that was firmly grounded in the Bible. Pastor John Berglund was able to encourage their faith and helped them rekindle their relationships with Christ.  That church experience impacted their lives so much that Mr. Barker brought it up at fall conferences with Michael and Alana Gentosi in 2023. 

Alana said, “To think that DJ was teaching and impacting my child in mighty ways for the Lord and that my dad had played a part in ministering to DJ’s parents and their walk with Christ. Talk about full circle Jesus work. Only He could do this.” 

Pastor John Berglund’s faith impacted Eric and Georgia Barker. Eric and Georgia Barker’s faith impacted DJ Barker. DJ Barker’s faith influenced Eliana Gentosi and every other second grade student who has stepped foot in his classroom. 

From left: Michael and Elana Gentosi, John Berglund, Eliana Gentosi, DJ Barker, Georgia and Eric Barker

Michael and Alana Gentosi don’t take any of this influence for granted. 

“Michael and I know that it is our role as parents to train and teach our children in the way they should go and to prepare them for eternity,” Alana said. “We also know that the people the Lord puts in our children’s lives to help guide them to the truth of God’s Word are absolutely a gift. Mr. Barker has been a gift.” 

Eliana Gentosi left second grade with a flashlight and a challenge to illuminate the world for Christ. It’s a challenge that goes back generations and one that will hopefully reach many generations to come.