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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"Breakthrough has benefited greatly from our relationship with The Barnabas Group Chicago. One member has become the chair of our corporate giving committee for our capital campaign and has set up a meeting that should generate $1M for the FamilyPlex project. Another member has been coaching Breakthrough's COO and other staff at Breakthrough with regards to leadership skills and two other members are doing a financial management workshop with the Breakthrough staff."
Arloa Sutter – Chicago, IL
Breakthrough Urban Ministries -
"The chance to tell 100 business leaders about our nonprofit organization - such an opportunity - is a gift to a small nonprofit like ours. Second, the "Big Question" session generated many great suggestions. In fact, towards the end I felt on information overload. Unexpectedly, both Jimmy and I made personal contacts with members that will prove invaluable. Moreover, I made contact with other nonprofit leaders who I intend to meet with for further dialogue. Murph, Barnabas Chicago is a wonderful ministry. Only in heaven will you recognize the true impact of the organization."
Steve Lake – Chicago, IL
Designed to Serve -
"Chicago Barnabas volunteers are having a positive impact on the management and operations of Living Water. Barnabas people have led the thinking and planning for our new communications plan. Because of that, we are able to get clean water more effectively to those in greatest need."
Mike Mantel – Chicago, IL
Living Water International -
"My mother and I talked about the event all the way back home. We were so inspired you could feel it in the room; GOD was definitely in the house. Thank you so much for inviting me and acknowledging my mother. The Barnabas Group members helping KOB are the epitome of what GOD says that we should do 'love your neighbor as you would yourself'. May GOD Bless the Chicago Barnabas members all for giving of themselves to others."
Diane Latiker – Chicago, IL
Kids Off the Block (KOB) -
"I believe that my time at The Barnabas Group has resulted in one of the fastest and richest returns on a speaking engagement that I have experienced! One man has already done 3 introductions for me. Another has offered to work with his IT consultant in a combination of pro-bono and at his expense to help. And another is looking at our construction drawings prior to permit application to evaluate the design of our commercial kitchen! All in all, what an amazing list of contacts!"
Audalee McLoughlin – Chicago, IL
New Moms -
"Marketplace leaders associated with The Barnabas Group has made a huge impact in our ministry. One leader immediately identified a very substantial weakness in our IT program that could have brought our ministry to its knees. By identifying this problem and offering suggestions for change, we are in the process of rectifying this situation. On a different issue, consulting with three Barnabas Group leaders on a new venture we were going into helped us identify a different direction and vision for this venture which is potentially more impactful than the first path we were going down. Finally, the big idea brainstorming session following our presentation generated new directions regarding marketing and outreach, connections to influential people, and a broader prospective in addressing the barriers to change. Thanks so much for this opportunity."
Dr. David Anderson – Chicago, IL
Lydia Home Association - Safe Families, Ashoka Fellow -
"The Barnabas Group has been a huge blessing to me. I leave each meeting humbled by the heart and the passion that our ministry presenters display. What I have learned is just how much these ministries are in need of (marketplace) light... we can help them with our contacts, knowledge, and skills. They are so appreciative of our taking an interest in what they are doing and a willingness to come alongside and take care of a problem or help them sort their way through an issue. The Barnabas Group has provided a place where I can help a variety of ministries and be doing what I love to do."
Brian Voss – Chicago, IL
The Barnabas Group, Member -
"I love working with leaders who are successful in the marketplace and committed to investing in Kingdom expanding work. Through Chicago Barnabas I discovered great ministries in our community that need my talents even more than my treasure."
Dale Gifford – Chicago, IL
The Barnabas Group, Member -
"The expression is 'give and take.' Through The Barnabas Group I am able to share my insights and knowledge with ministries seeking guidance (the give). Not only the exposure to, but the working with the wide variety of diverse ministries, has given me a new perspective on my place in the Kingdom (the take). Or as my wife says, 'The Barnabas Group has changed your life'."
Larry Mollner – Chicago, IL
The Barnabas Group, Member -
"I'm always amazed and moved when I witness firsthand how the diversity of need in this world is so amply met by the diversity of gifting in the body of Christ. It's even more incredible when I see the needy, the front-line warriors (ministry), and some of their most ardent proponents (marketplace leaders) converge to display the mission of Christ in real-life ways through real-life stories. This is what The Barnabas Group is all about - people with passion who are passionately using their unique gifting to show Christ's love and care to the poor, disenfranchised and spiritually hungry who Christ died for! I have never felt so close and so connected to the 'movement' Christ began and has called us to continue."
Pat Brady – Chicago, IL
The Barnabas Group, Member -
"The Barnabas Group Chicago has been an answer to prayer. I was looking to get more involved in various Christian based Ministries and really didn't know where to begin. The Barnabas Group is a fantastic way to interact with various groups to find out where God is leading us. Our Lord has given us all different talents and gifts, and the Barnabas Group is a wonderful way for Leaders to interact with each other to strengthen and help each other. "
Perry Cliburn – Chicago, IL
The Barnabas Group, Member