BOOM: What to Do When Life Blows Up Around You
By Tim Barker
GILBERT, ARIZONA — December 4, 2025 — An internationally renowned expert on industrial demolition, Tim Barker experienced tremendous success but then blew up his own life before coming to understand its ultimate purpose.
In his just-released memoir (Redemption Press), BOOM: What to Do When Life Blows Up Around You, Barker shares his story of blowing up his own life, but how through that season of loss learned how to “fail forward” and have his life used by God and launching an innovative ministry that serves God’s kingdom.
After praying that the Lord would do whatever it took to multiply his family’s kingdom impact, Barker eventually founded ROI Ministry, an organization that has since helped direct millions of dollars to high-impact ministries around the world.
Through ROI Ministry, Barker and his team identify the Top 10 ministries producing the greatest measurable kingdom impact per dollar, helping givers steward their resources with confidence and purpose.
In his book, Barker shares his own story as a living testimony that God can bring blessings out of brokenness and truly work all things together for His glory and our good.
“We don’t all desire to be a CEO of a large corporation, but we want to succeed at something,” he says, emphasizing the universal desire for personal success and fulfillment. This book shows readers how to overcome adversity, develop resilience, find opportunities in challenges, use empathy to create change, and leave a lasting impact. It is a roadmap for overcoming failure, finding purpose, and igniting personal growth.
Through engaging storytelling and profound revelations, Barker demonstrates that setbacks are not the end but the beginning of a remarkable journey toward empowerment and achievement.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Barker is the self-proclaimed “unlikely, uneducated, goofy guy” turned author extraordinaire! Emphasizing the art of “failing forward when life blows up,” Barker’s relatable and practical approach is a breath of fresh air. When he is not busy offering encouragement and helping others find hope and purpose, you’ll likely catch Tim hitting the waves, bombing down mountain trails, diving into a good book, savoring delicious food, and secretly making a difference in the lives of those in need worldwide.
Suggested Interview Questions:
- I want to focus on the idea behind the phrase, ‘all’s well that ends well.’ Should we only look at results? Or do our methods and preparations also matter?”
- The Bible is full of verses that say “pay attention!” Given your experience, what makes this awareness crucial?
- How do we become our most effective selves?
- As humans, we strive for meaning—for a sense that we have worth. Life’s obstacles can often throw our perspective out of focus. How would you encourage someone facing hardship?
- You have a passion for helping others succeed. Talk to us about the value of having a “number two” in our lives—or, better yet, being that number two in someone else’s life.