A commitment to create more stories
The Barnabas Group is about making an impact. The following stories are just a sampling of the many different ways God is using members, attendees or affiliates to implement change and create value for the ministries we serve.
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"If you want to see God's Kingdom impacted in Charlotte through the use of your time, talent, touch, and treasure, The Barnabas Group is where you need to start."
John Gross – Charlotte, NC
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"Michael McLendon has been a faithful member of Charlotte's Central Church of God for years. Recently, however, the National Sales Director at RR Donnelley felt God stirring his heart. That stirring was calling him to use his resources and gifts to touch lives and further the kingdom of God. "I just felt the calling to do something bigger, something global," he said.
So when a friend told him about The Barnabas Group coming to Charlotte, Michael agreed to attend the initial breakfast meeting held on February 10 at the Charlotte Country Club. As the ministries were presented, he began to see how he could be used by God to help. "I just saw connections everywhere," he said.
The next day, Michael awoke and knew that God was speaking to him and that he needed to act. So he got on the phone and began making calls. His first call was to Bill Reid who works with impoverished urban families at Jackson Park Ministries. Michael is also a professional magician, who had put himself through college entertaining people with magic shows. In recent years he had learned how to weave a Gospel message into the act. He offered to come and entertain the kids with magic at ministry get-togethers. Bill enthusiastically accepted.
Next, Michael talked with Manny Ohonme at Samaritan's Feet. He learned that as part of that ministry's vision to put shoes on 10 million orphans and impoverished children, tremendous transportation expenses are incurred. Michael's company, RR Donnelley, moves huge amounts of freight all around the world and, consequently, gets the best possible rates for transportation. So he is now talking with his company about passing on that discount to Samaritan's Feet, which would free up a huge amount of resources for more shoes. Since he's talked with Manny, Michael has connected with two other ministries to discuss similar arrangements.
One, Samaritan's Purse, spends an enormous amount to send packages around the globe for Operation Christmas Child. Another, Free Wheelchair Mission, imports hundreds of thousands of specially designed low-cost wheelchairs from China. Both could benefit tremendously from less expensive freight costs. There are other ministries that were presented at The Barnabas Group breakfast and Michael is also working on their behalf, calling and sharing ideas, making connections.
"What I have learned through this experience is that I'm a connector," he said. "I know so many people. I just have to get the person with the need connected with the person who has the solution. I think that's a big part of what The Barnabas Group is about. It's not necessarily just about giving money. It's also about using your resources to network creatively to ultimately benefit the Body of Christ and to further His kingdom. And I'm finding that I really enjoy doing that." "Steve Parker – Charlotte
Connecting Leaders, Changing Lives