Hal and Elizabeth Barge live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. They have three children; Emily, son-in-law Joe, and John who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of twenty-seven after a nine-year struggle with mental illness.  Hal served in the US Submarine Force for twenty-eight years and currently works for Fairlead Integrated in Portsmouth, VA.  Elizabeth is a Functional Medicine Dietitian (retired). Following John’s death, she has made it her ambition to “lead a quiet life” as the reality of what has happened to their family settles out.  They have been active in Bible Study Fellowship International for decades both as students and leaders.  Hal is on the board of directors at Tyndale Theological Seminary (Amsterdam) and the Academy of Music (Norfolk, VA).  

They currently serve with the While We’re Waiting ministry as facilitators of retreats for parents touched by suicide, facilitating 5-6 retreats/ year around the country.