The Barnabas Center is named after Barnabas, the apostle Paul’s traveling companion on his first missionary journey. The name means “son of encouragement” which captures the heart of this ministry. Barnabas counselors encourage their clients and program participants in ways that help them handle their struggles well and relate more deeply to God and others.
Founded in 1989 by Palmer Trice, M.Div., Barnabas is a non-profit, non-denominational, Christ-centered counseling, teaching and equipping ministry. The mission of Barnabas is to help people find hope through their struggles by applying the Gospel to everyday life. This focus permeates all Barnabas programs, teaching and counseling services. The experienced staff at the Barnabas Center believes that the moments in life where everything seems to fall apart are the most poignant opportunities to consider what really matters. At Barnabas, we believe that change and growth should lead toward healthy and loving relationships with others and toward deeper dependence upon God.
Our ministry is focused on the following areas of interest and proficiency:
Learning to care for others around you is the heart of Barnabas Training. This Biblical model will increase your awareness of the potential for Christ-centered conversations and the confidence to take them in that direction. Barnabas Training will enable you to see yourself and others from God’s perspective and join in His work in others’ lives. This program combines teaching with group experience to equip and train lay people who desire to come alongside the hurting in their world. It is designed to give a Biblical framework of thinking about problems, as well as help develop the skills and heart to love better.
In addition to individual counseling and group sessions, Barnabas counselors teach Sunday School classes and Bible studies at area churches. We also work to support and under gird area churches by training and consulting with church leaders and counselors.
Marriage and Families
Heart to Heart is a unique marriage weekend designed to teach Biblical principles and practical ways to insert them into your relationship. It is a weekend designed to change—patterns, marriages and hearts. Barnabas also offers on-going marriage deepening and support activities and seminars.
Love Your Kids, a half-day seminar for parents, focuses on equipping parents to love their young (and sometimes challenging!) kids like God loves us. Enjoying the journey of parenting while loving and raising great kids is the heart of this time together.
Men
All men, including Christian men, struggle with issues. Some are enslaved to sexual sin or addictions. Or the irresistible pull and psychological bondage of pornography. Honors Path for Men is a professionally led, closed and confidential small group for sexually struggling or addicted men who want a better path.
Quest is an outdoor adventure ministry designed to guide men to stronger relationships with Christ and other men. Backpacking, camping, hiking and other activities combined with conversation, teaching and reflection guide men toward hope in the midst of struggle.
Women
Honors Path for Wives provides a safe and confidential place for women to receive support and wrestle with the difficult realities of a relationship harmed by sexual addiction or unfaithfulness. This is a closed, small group format led by Barnabas counselors.
Ache, rage, fear and confusion are realities resulting from being sexually abused. Healing Hearts provides a Biblically-based, confidential and closed group context where women can receive support and wrestle with the difficult wounds of sexual abuse.