About Barbara J. Harry
Step into the story of a woman who traded burnout for beauty, busyness for being.
Barbara’s life is a tapestry of healing, creativity,
and quiet transformation
—woven through poetry, photography, and the Living Word.
May her journey refresh yours.
Biography
A Turning Point: Burnout to Breakthrough
“I was on call 24 hours a day, and I got burnt out;
the turning point for me.
‘God, I really need you! Take over!’” cried Barbara
Instead of running around doing things for God, Barbara asked Him to help her. I “learned how to ‘be’ rather than ‘do’; a human being rather than a human doing!”
Heart cries were uttered through poems or prose. Barbara became a lot more contemplative. Creativity flourished.
“I’ve always loved words, especially puns, and The WORD, being strongly influenced by my paternal heritage. I’m painting pictures with words, and giving images a voice. Personal reflections are emerging through penned expressions, including a series of contemplative coffee table books containing scripture verses and photographic images expressing the soul’s journey in parable form.”
Barbara’s contemplative parable books –
Waiting: Soul Transformation, profiling the butterfly life-cycle, was published in October 2023;
Oasis: Soul Refreshing, was released in October 2024.
The series continues.
From Nurse to Nurturer
Born and raised in Hamilton, New Zealand, Barbara’s diverse tool-belt of skills and experience includes employment in the health and disability sector as a registered general nurse, midwife, caregiver, trainer and administrator. However, Barbara’s journey
has primarily been shaped as a
follower of Yeshua
Messiah from a young age.
A three-year diploma at Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College) in Auckland opened the door for Barbara to pioneer as a pastoral assistant at the Miramar Christian Centre in Wellington, overseeing women’s ministry for five years. This led to several years of industrial chaplaincy with the Inter-Church Trade and Industry Mission in the Wellington CBD.
Find out more about Barbara’s parable Books Below
Creative Awakening
Barbara experienced Holy Spirit’s presence in extended periods of silence. “I could still enter into passionate worship and embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but a powerful, deeper awareness of His Presence emerged.”
Creativity flourished. Barbara’s photographs and poems began to reflect her inner journey; the images became like parables. Oh, that’s what I’m feeling, Barbara pondered. Holy Spirit is teaching me through everyday life! Barbara reflected that Yeshua Messiah used many parables to paint a picture of heaven’s truth,
a natural focus with many layers of understanding or spiritual insight.
I Have a Dream: A Soul’s Pilgrimage
In 1998, Barbara conceived the idea of Refreshing Day workshops. A multi-media presentation entitled, Soul Journey was birthed. Barbara began using this media in a day of refreshing for small groups of women longing for more intimate time with Yeshua. He refreshed us!
“We enjoyed ‘soaking’ in His presence like a sponge; or just sleeping.”
Barbara’s local church leaders encouraged her to ‘run with the vision.’
But the dream had to die.
Several years later, in a different fellowship, all congregants were charged to lay down their personal vision. With deep grief, Barbara obeyed.
I realised I was pursuing the dream more than the Dream-giver!
Barbara has since facilitated a number of Refreshing Days in Kapiti Coast, Hamilton and Auckland. In 2010, while living in a Christian community in Hamilton (her third in under 20 years), Barbara embraced the opportunity to pioneer a small retreat house for a few years. This God-dream provided a resting place for weary travellers and a platform for more Refreshing Days.
Between 2015 and 2017, Barbara visited Israel three times, including six months volunteering in a guest house in Galilee. Barbara again saw the need for the Body of Christ, especially church leaders, to come aside and be refreshed.
“The Evangelical and Pentecostal scene has thrown out a lot of older Biblical, contemplative observances,” recalls Barbara. Although having worshipped with Pentecostal believers for some time, Barbara was drawn to the stillness and silence of more traditional, reflective worship. Could they co-exist? “Desperate for rest I attended a retreat centre – rare for Pentecostals!”
That’s when Barbara was introduced to When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd, a soul journey using the parable of the chrysalis. Barbara journeyed with Sue for several years while a metamorphosis
took place in her soul!
“I’m painting pictures with words, and giving images a voice.”
A Ministry of Rest and Renewal
Refreshing Streams Ministries flows through three distinct branches,
each offering a pathway to rest, renewal, and creative expression in Yeshua.
Each branch carries the heartbeat of the Ministry; an invitation to
pause, reflect, and be transformed.
Learn more below
1. ‘Menuchah Press’ Publications
2. Refreshing Days
3. Creative Ventures
Barbara’s personal publishing house, home to two contemplative parables that invite readers into soul-refreshing
encounters with God.
Facilitated Day & Weekend workshops designed to create a reflective, Spirit-led environment where participants journey personally with Yeshua, the Refresher of our soul.
Artisan gatherings [pending] and Online workshops where creativity becomes a sacred offering, and participants express what the
Creator is stirring within.
I Have a Dream
Back Story: How Did I Come to Develop Refreshing Streams Ministries?
C-Light Videography, Nov 6, 2023 (8 mins)
The Best Is Yet to Come
“I’m partnering with the Dream-giver. Hold onto your dreams lightly; pursue The Dream-Giver!“
Exploring the Creator’s world – strolling through NZ bush, sitting by a stream or savouring my rural vista in Hamilton – inspires me,” muses Barbara. “My ‘tank’ is filled with living in Yahweh’s Presence, studying His Word, listening to anointed worship and classical music, designing without a deadline, and spending time with friends.”
Barbara has relocated many times in NZ, building flexibility and diversity into her life. Barbara’s travels include traversing Europe and a six-month stint volunteering in Israel. Pioneering has extended Barbara to manage a small retreat house and to develop Refreshing Day and Weekend workshops as reflective spaces for women.
“The best is yet to come, even in the latter years! Heart transformation
is life-long and creativity continues to flourish.”
Barbara J. Harry
ARTISAN EXTRAVAGANZA
CONCEPT
Barbara envisions a group of artisans gathering together for an Artisan Extravaganza day or weekend in a similar but larger reflective environment to the Refreshing Day workshop.
Barbara would love to see the artisans express what our Creator is percolating, in and through their creative talents, in this anointed atmosphere. Barbara believes there’s potential for this prophetic art to be displayed later in the market-place.
In March 2023, and September 2024, Barbara was privileged to facilitate an ‘Art-in-Mission’ and ‘A Garden Enclosed’ online workshop for staff from an international mission organisation.
This platform, a new format of workshop, has increased Barbara’s horizons of how
the Dream-giver can publish His vision across the globe.
Yahweh is awakening an Artisan renaissance
to reflect His true image and the beauty of His creation –
to make Him famous!
What has the Creator of the Cosmos woven in your DNA that’s waiting to be unleashed with ‘flying colours’?
If you are interested in attending a potential Artisan Extravaganza day, or weekend workshop at Titoki Healing Centre, Whakatane in 2026, please contact Barbara.