My Story

Hi, my name is Cindy Barlock and my mission is simple: to help others experience real freedom and hope in Jesus Christ through biblical counseling, mentoring, teaching, spiritual formation, and worship ministry.

From Brokenness…

At age 28, I was a new wife and mother, facing financial struggles for the first time and enduring constant marital conflict. Paranoia, overthinking, anxiety—these were my everyday companions. To make matters worse, as a musician who had grown up in church, I was a “worship leader,” yet my faith felt weaker than ever. My public life was a facade, hiding the cracks that were ready to break.

I wish I had a better reason for crying out to the Lord for help. Still, it all started like this: I was in a church filled with smart, wealthy people who knew a lot about the Bible, which made me feel inferior in all three areas. Ugh, pride. I worried that they would see me as a “poser,” someone who only knew just enough to get by. Combined with the time commitment involved in being part of the church, I questioned why I was even there. These thoughts plagued my mind, and I decided to figure out what I truly believed and why. I hoped to do this before I was “found out.”

To Vibrant Life in Christ

Of course, God had other plans for me. He drew me to His Word with love, showered me with grace through the songs I led, and captured my heart with His Son, Jesus. I encountered a significant trial within that church that forced me to choose between walking away forever or entirely surrendering to Him.

I chose to surrender. In fact, I repented, which meant agreeing with God that my thoughts and actions were not aligned with His and making conscious choices to live according to His way. It was challenging but ultimately freeing.

I began reading a children’s Bible I had received in elementary school, starting with the book of Matthew. I was astonished to truly meet Jesus for the first time. He was so much more than I had ever realized. Yes, He was kind and caring, but He was also authoritative and commanding. He was someone I could lean on, trust, follow, and see what would happen next.

My Calling

Today, I help others grow in spiritual clarity, biblical truth, and emotional healing. Whether through biblical counseling, mentorship, teaching, or worship ministry, my heart is to walk alongside others in a way that reflects God’s truth and compassion. Through Vibrant Life Ministries, I offer:

  • Biblical Counseling for individuals facing emotional or spiritual challenges

  • Mentoring & Discipleship for women and emerging leaders

  • Bible Teaching for groups and churches hungry for solid, expositional truth

  • Worship Ministry Leadership rooted in both doctrine and devotion

My Experience

I hold a Master of Divinity in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and I am currently completing a Doctor of Educational Ministry in Biblical Counseling. For over a decade, I served as a Teaching Leader and Area Staff member with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), training women across the MD/DC/VA/DE region to lead and teach God’s Word faithfully.

Through Vibrant Life Ministries, offer biblical counseling services, especially for individuals whose churches may not yet have an established counseling ministry. Because biblical counseling is best done in partnership with the local church, I encourage clients to connect with their pastor first—and I’m happy to work with churches to coordinate care and financial options.

If counseling costs are a concern, I offer a sliding scale and do not want finances to prevent anyone from receiving care. Please reach out—your healing and restoration matter deeply.

Let’s Connect

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or spiritually dry? You don’t have to walk through it alone. Let’s journey together toward healing, truth, and a vibrant life in Christ.