Our Mission

Barnabas, of the first ministered encouragement to the apostle Paul and countless others. Barnabas Ministries exists now to apply that same God-given encouragement to the people of our day. My name is Jim West and I believe that God has gifted me similarly, as the one who came to he known as Barnabas the Son of Encouragement!.

Barnabas traveled with Paul on an itinerant ministry teaching ordinary people who would listen; they taught them about the one true God who really is there. The duo held a high view of the scriptures as the sole and absolute authority for their teaching. They truly believed the Bible to be without error because it was the direct communication of the very God who made the universe. I do as well.

Ministry to whom?

Paul and Barnabas taught this life-giving message to people both in the marketplace and in the synagogue. I feel similarly compelled to use my teaching gift and my long years of training to reach outward to those who are lost and haven't a clue as to the nature of their dilemma.

I also work with many believers who are disillusioned with the church and remain outside the doors for their own reasons. My hope in this work is to restore them to fellowship within the body of Christ by providing solid biblical answers to their life hardened questions. This parallels the work of Paul and Barnabas as they .reasoned. with men and women concerning the claims of Christ.

For the past 15 years, I have partially realized this work in reaching out to teens. Now I wish to extend my work into the lives of the many adults God has been bringing into my path.

The Work and the Workers

In support of this work, I have been blessed with a group of mature Christian professionals (accountants lawyers. bankers, & businessmen) who volunteer their time. Their advice directs the course of Barnabas Ministries. In addition, many adults volunteer to help staff our weekly youth focused 7:17 Club meetings and extended ministry to teens.

I offer biblical counseling and classes in biblical languages (NT Greek and OT Hebrew). I teach home Bible studies, answering the current questions of the people involve. I also present courses on various subjects such as basic Bible interpretation & peer counseling.

My background has been in various church based ministries, Young Life and Campus life. I obtained my bachelor's degree, in 1977, with a double major in Religion and New Testament Greek In 1981, I received my Masters of Divinity majoring in Hebrew and Semitic languages. As a result, I feel confidently capable to search the Scriptures, as I endeavor to help people grapple with the hard questions of their lives.

I undertake my mission with the prime directive of helping all to see their personal need for salvation in Jesus Christ. Beyond that, I hope to show people that walking through this life in a relationship with the God of the Bible is ultimately satisfying.

Since seminary I've known that this work could only be realized if supported by an extended community of interested believers.

My financial goal is simply to meet the expenses of salary needs and the low overhead of the ministry. Fully funded, Barnabas ministries will allow the youth work of the last 15 years to continue. Additionally it will allow me to expand this work into the lives of the adults in our area.

My goal is to build a group of partners whose interest in this project is personal and long lasting. I want to communicate to my partners that I am faithfully committed to this work. My prayer is that God will motivate Christian people who will choose to share in both the work and in the financial goals of Barnabas Ministries.