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Multnomah thanks Henry Barrera






Henry Barrera scored 1,868 points in his three-year career.

Henry Barrera was one of four basketball players in the nation nominated for the 1999-2000 Pete Maravich Memorial award, the player of the year award. Barrera received five out of eight votes.

Coach Chris Reese said, "A lot of points" is what Henry Barrera contributed to the Ambassadors. "Over the years he has built real respect from his peers, not just from points but his big heart," he said.

Barrera started playing basketball in the seventh grade. His family has supported him. Now when the team plays in Walla Walla, Wash., it stops at Barrera's house and his mom cooks the team dinner.

"[Playing basketball helped me] learn a lot about life: how to win, how to lose, also to build relationships with my teammates. Sometimes it's a struggle staying motivated," he said. "When you lose a lot, you get discouraged, but [do] not quit."

Early this year, Nancy Woods, a youth director at Faith Lutheran Church, called Coach Reese, asking for help in its ministry, Upper Room. This ministry uses basketball to share the gospel with inner-city kids. Coach Reese recommended Barrera.

Barrera has also gone on three-basketball mission's trips: one to Europe, one to the Philippines and one to Australia. "We used basketball as an icebreaker and presented the gospel at halftime," he said.

Coach Reese said, "I've been going overseas for the last three years [with MBC basketball teams]. Henry is a real go-getter. He made sure to talk to someone after each game. He's got a passionate heart for people to know Jesus. That is something he grew into. It wasn't a talent.

"We are not playing at a high level of basketball, but Henry still wanted to be the best," Coach Reese said. "I encourage team members to practice their skills outside of regular practice time. Henry went beyond that by coming in every morning at 9 a.m. and shooting for an hour."

After graduation, Barrera hopes to play more basketball. He may even go to South America. He is already fluent in Spanish.

Barrera met his fiancée, Melody, at Multnomah. "I wrote her an e-mail and told her that of anyone I would want to date here, it would be [her]," he said. They began dating soon after the e-mail. "She is extraverted and I'm introverted," he said. "She's a godly person and keeps me in check." They are planning to marry July 29.

Coach Reese said, "It's going to be hard to replace him."