Meet Our Minister

Jean De Barbieris Owen came to Unity Eastside directly from Unity School of Christianity, where she was ordained in June 2002. Becoming an ordained minister is a dream that took 15 years to accomplish. It was in 1987 that Jean first became conscious of the call to ordained ministry. Several childhood experiences, however, indicate that Spirit was calling out to her for many years before she became conscious of it.

Jean was born in New Orleans, LA and attended parochial and private schools there. She graduated from Tulane University's School of Architecture, a five-year professional degree program. Always wanting to venture to far-off places, Jean moved to Idaho. Eventually, she became the Assistant Planning Director for the City of Coeur de Alene, an exquisite place in the panhandle of Idaho. She stayed there for nearly 20 years.

Answering the call the ministry meant leaving behind all that Jean had grown to love in North Idaho and facing the uncertainty of many challenges. Yet in 1998, she could no longer deny herself the opportunity to serve God. She began her pre-requisite classes in CEP at Unity Village in July, 1998. There she met Skip Owen, who was from Jackson, MS, and married him four months later. Jean and Skip became very good at maintaining a great commuter relationship over the next three years.

During her years in Ministerial School, Skip stayed in Mississippi and worked as an Agribusiness Development Consultant. They also had a small herb farm, where Skip grew medicinal plants; such as Echinacea and Valerian. Jean returned to the farm after ordination, intending to relax and spend time with Skip. Spirit, however, had other plans.

The announcement that Unity Eastside was seeking a minister drew Jean's attention, and after spending considerable time in prayer and meditation, she applied for the position. Skip and Jean settled in Tallahassee in late 2002. A year later, not only was Jean a new minister, she was also a new mother. Skip and Jean were blessed to adopt a beautiful little girl from Russia which was a dream come true for both of them. The rest, as they say, is history in the making.

Jean believes that the love of God is unfolding in each person, place and thing and revealing its magnificence. She looks forward with joy to serving the people of Tallahassee for many years to come.