Israel Prince Barsh
Dr. Israel P. Barsh is a community advocate, Founder & CEO of the Office of Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Developers, the LionsGates Coalition for Economic & Social Justice, and the Senior Pastor of the Lagrange Worship Embassy of the King Church in Lagrange, Georgia.
An accomplished author, innovative leader, and dynamic speaker, Dr. Barsh is especially known for his heart for youth.
A native son of Lagrange, Georgia, he is the son of the late Charlie Barsh Sr., who worked over 40 years at the Elm Milliken Plant as one of its first African American supervisors, and a wonderful, inspiring Mother Julia Barsh. As a teenager, Dr. Barsh worked at the Griggs Recreation Center under Mr. Richard English and was mentored by “Grip” and Mr. & Mrs. William Griggs. He attended Dunson Elementary, Lagrange Boys Junior High on East Depot Street, and graduated from Lagrange High School in 1977.
An accomplished author, innovative leader, and dynamic speaker, Dr. Barsh is especially known for his heart for youth.
A native son of Lagrange, Georgia, he is the son of the late Charlie Barsh Sr., who worked over 40 years at the Elm Milliken Plant as one of its first African American supervisors, and a wonderful, inspiring Mother Julia Barsh. As a teenager, Dr. Barsh worked at the Griggs Recreation Center under Mr. Richard English and was mentored by “Grip” and Mr. & Mrs. William Griggs. He attended Dunson Elementary, Lagrange Boys Junior High on East Depot Street, and graduated from Lagrange High School in 1977.
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He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts
degree in Social Work and Business
from Washington State University in
1989, followed by a Doctorate of Divinity
from Bishop Hardy’s Theological
Seminary in 1992. A proud U.S.
veteran, Dr. Barsh served as a
commissioned officer in the U.S.
Army, attaining the rank of First
Lieutenant in Personnel Management,
and later served in the National Guard/Army Reserve as an Adjutant General Corps Officer.
Dr. Barsh has extensive experience in social services and education. He worked more than 15 years with the Washington State Juvenile Justice Administration as a Counselor II for Child Protective Services. In 1989, he founded the Northwest Academy of Excellence, a privately owned K–12 school where he also served as teacher and principal. He later established For the Love of Children Daycare Center, which operated successfully for many years. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, he received a letter of commendation from the Mayor of Puyallup in September 2002.
Dr. Barsh’s breakthrough vision focuses on creating economic collaboration and building unity across cultures, creeds, and nationalities. He is committed to positioning businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, and individuals to direct the transfer and delivery of wealth into America’s underserved inner cities. His mission includes establishing community credit unions, grocery stores, business plazas, affordable housing, and empowerment business zones that generate generational wealth. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, including the Bahamas, teaching institutions and organizations how to maximize effectiveness, unlock corporate potential, and ignite entrepreneurial spirit.
We deserve greater Advancements & Progress. Citizens deserve higher paying jobs, and a city where Senior Citizens/Middle class and lower class can afford to live comfortably.
Dr Barsh is happily married to his lovely Wife, Resa Barsh who supports the Campaign highly, they enjoy a blended family of 9 sons and 1 Wonderful Daughter.
His diverse gifts, talents, and skills fuel his mission to unify and revitalize Lagrange. His goals include ensuring community safety in collaboration with law enforcement, strengthening infrastructure, attracting new industries, fostering investor partnerships, building affordable housing, and equipping youth to excel in school and remain in Lagrange after graduation.
Dr. Barsh and his wife, Larissa, currently reside in Lagrange, Georgia. Together, they are blessed with nine sons, one daughter, eleven grandchildren, and another on the way.