Connected to the Vine
Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
Statement of Christian Faith
Barnabas Foundation was formed in 1976 by a group of Christian professionals who desired to help individuals, families, churches and ministries by giving and receiving gifts as part of Christian stewardship.
Though the founders and many initial members were affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), Barnabas Foundation warmly welcomes additional distinctly Christian ministries and their supporters who affirm:
- The Bible as the inspired, authoritative Word of God for faith and life,
- A historic, orthodox understanding of Biblical Christianity, as expressed in the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian ecumenical creeds
- Their willingness to operate within Barnabas Foundation’s distribution policies
The Board of Directors of Barnabas Foundation is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application to matters of doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline. As such, the Board makes ultimate decisions regarding ministry membership, employment policies, and charitable distributions.
Barnabas Foundation takes its name from a believer named Barnabas in the first-century church.
In the Book of Acts, we read about Barnabas and an incredible example of generosity…
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
(Acts 4:32-37, NIV)
Barnabas’ act of generosity models what we would today call a “planned gift.” And his story serves as inspiration for our name and the work we do today. God worked so powerfully through the generosity of Barnabas and others “that there were no needy persons among them.” (v. 34)
Barnabas Foundation helps generous Christians give more effectively to the churches and ministries close to their hearts. We pray that Christ will be lifted high, and that because of God’s great work through our collective efforts, there will be no unmet need among us.