For many years Tara Barrett kept her poetry to herself.

Now, however, she realizes that sharing her poetry is her way of helping to spread the Gospel of Christ.

“It’s just about getting the message out,” said Barrett, an Early Start teacher assistant at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School. “It’s about spreading the Gospel, and telling people that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus, His Son.”

Barrett has been writing inspirational poetry since she was about 10 years old. She recently self-published a compilation of 55 of her poems.

“We still need God,” Barrett said. “No matter how much money we have or how little money we have, we all need God.”

Barrett said she typically writes her poems after reading the Bible or praying.

“It’s just a gift God has given me,” she said. “It flows from my heart and from my spirit, and just comes out.”

Barrett hopes to advance the kingdom of God through her poetry, she said.

“I want to draw in other people,” Barrett said. “He came with a loving, compassionate heart, and He shows love through His sacrifice.”

Barrett said that with all the difficult issues the world faces, letting people know the Gospel of Christ is more important than ever before.

“We need God more than we ever have before,” she said. “We need to get back to reconnecting with God.”

Barrett’s book can be found on www.AuthorHouse.com.