Barnabas Teams

One of the primary roles of a Barnabas Team is to intercede in prayer for the missionary and their ministry. This includes regular, specific prayers for their physical safety, emotional well-being, spiritual health, and effectiveness in their work. Prayer also extends to the challenges and struggles missionaries face, such as culture shock, loneliness, language barriers, and opposition. Teams often maintain a prayer calendar or regular updates from the missionaries to ensure they are consistently lifting them up in prayer.

Missionaries often experience isolation, burnout, and discouragement, especially when working in remote or hostile environments. A Barnabas Team provides vital emotional and spiritual support by sending letters, birthday and Christmas cards and/or gifts, care packages, emails, or even video messages. This kind of encouragement reminds the missionary that they are not alone and that their work is valued and supported back home. The team may also offer Scripture-based encouragement, addressing specific challenges the missionary is facing. Not all missionaries can receive packages, so the type of support offered will vary.

Barnabas Teams often go beyond prayer and emotional support to provide practical help. This could involve raising funds for special projects, helping with administrative tasks, or assisting in finding resources such as books, training, or even language learning tools. In some cases, the team may help coordinate trips or visits to the mission field, ensuring the missionary has opportunities for rest and refreshment.

Maintaining open and frequent communication is essential for the health of the missionary-Barnabas relationship. Teams often act as a bridge between the missionary and the sending church or organization. They help ensure the missionary feels connected to the larger body of believers back home, even when they are far away. Regular updates from the missionary, whether through newsletters or personal reports, help the team understand the needs of the mission and guide their prayer and support efforts.