Barnabas Task

Barnabas Task

Community Transformation Through Leadership Development

Transforming communities, one life at a time…

Barnabas Task is an organization that brings transformation in local communities, utilizing Christ-centered principles and encouraging people to find solutions to their own problems.

A Visible Transformation

Barnabas Task has been active in Cien Fuegos, Dominican Republic since 2008. Cien Fuegos is a community of more than 300,000, whose residents have been trapped in a cycle of poverty. Many do not have title to property or a birth certificate. Instead of relief and assistance only, we strive for development and transformation. A church was planted in a middle class area of Santiago with purpose to raise a strong healthy group of believers to serve, amongst other needs, the poor of Cien Fuegos. A source of clean water was established in Cien Fuegos and is now a self-sustaining entity, directed by a Dominican leadership team from Santiago/Cien Fuegos. People in a local community now have access to clean water on a monthly basis. Barnabas Task also partners with Dominican medical professionals and university students, hosting visiting medical teams who provide preventative health education. Two distinct dental clinics have been established, led by Dominican dentists. Barnabas Task has also started health support groups such as hypertension and diabetes; clubs that are now directed by leading cardiologists. Year long participants have experienced life-changing results that is prolonging life. Community Health Evangelism (CHE) principles have been taught and are being applied. The real heros are the CHE workers who advance prevention training and community development. A significant annual event has been established which honors and elevates the worth of women. Last year, more than 850 attended this event. It is called Noche de Damas. More than 750 people from across the United States – chiefly medical personnel – have visited Cien Fuegos to assist us in our work. The connections with businessmen and universities have proven to be a key in developing an on-going sustainable work. The focus is local. Sustainable strategy has proven to be the filter for every decision we make to bring Transformation.

COMMUNITY HEALTH EVANGELISM

Barnabas Task effectively and successfully uses CHE in both rural areas, urban areas and among people who come from diverse worldviews and religious backgrounds. CHE’s participatory learning methods and guided discovery methods are keys to the CHE strategy. CHE is a highly adaptable tool that helps meet people where they are and lead them to a healthier future and a new life in Jesus Christ.

WHERE DO YOU START?

Help us mend broken people.

1. Attend a one day CHE Seminar and TOT 1 Training, available near you. You may also contact Barnabas Task for more training information.

2. Be part of our CHE training opportunities, both US and International.

3. Email Barnabas Task today. CHE is right practice for cutting edge ministry.

STORYTELLER

Barnabas Task success stories using CHE methods.

Story 1 Martha is a CHE trained worker, working in Cien Fuegos, Dominican Republic. Martha has a plethora of CHE training materials she could use but she realizes that in her neighborhood there are more than 15 couples living together but not married. Martha discerns a community need of strong families and begins to teach on marriage with her husband Diabierto. Recently 10 of those couples were married.

Story 2 Taking medical teams to poor areas would seem to be routine and a never-ending process. But if we could discover through a loving interview that there is abuse in the home or sexual abuse amongst young ladies, it would be worth it if we could help. These true-life stories have been a catalyst to CHE teaching on abuse in the home and how to prevent it.

Story 3 It is estimated that more than 240 million people world-wide have diabetes and by the year 2040, more than 600 million people will be dealing with diabetes. Five years ago, Barnabas Task decided to do something about this. Led by Nurse Practitioner Nancy Hinton, a baseline study was established to understand the diabetes dynamic. Coupled with the study was “evidence-based practice” methodology of not giving medicine to patients with diabetes or hypertension on a short-term basis. Helping short-term would not be helpful. In conjunction with Dr. Samuel Ramos, a leading cardiologist in Santiago, a one-year plan is actively functioning for diabetes patients that have been identified by Barnabas Task teams. Fundación Dominicana de Obesidad y Prevención Cardiovascular, Inc. (FUNDO) CHE principles and local collaboration are effectively working together. Birthed by this growing relationship, a collaborative Diabetes Initiative has been established between Barnabas Task and FUNDO.

Story 4 A CHE worker had taught in her community on relationships with God, self and others. (A key CHE principle teaching) Several weeks later a fight broke out amongst two men who were placed in jail. Community people went to the CHE workers’ home to inform her and ask for prayer and help. Together, they all went to the jail where the men were asking first to talk to the police that were there. After explaining the concept of relationships and forgiveness, the jailers allowed the CHE worker to talk to the two men while in jail. Both gave their lives to Christ and reconciled their differences.