Barnabas
College Ministry

The name Barnabas means “encouragement, exhortation and comfort”.

The Barnabas College Ministry is a wonderful ministry for students to stay close to the Lord as they leave home for the first time. Mentors send anonymous notes of encouragement and care packages throughout the school year to their Barnabas student.

This ministry is also a blessing for adults who are busy working full-time, have a family, and are looking for a meaningful way to serve the Lord — become a Mentor!

  • Barnabas Mentors

    Can you remember a time when you were in school and had a mentor or friend who sent you an encouraging note that made you feel it would all work out? This is your chance to do the same for someone else!

    We are seeking people (or families) to be a “Barnabas” to a college student. Remembering that the name “Barnabas” means ‘encouragement, exhortation and comfort’, we want to reach out to college students by sharing encouragement with them.

    This program is run like a “Secret Santa”. You can choose to reveal your name to the student in May, and your return address will be the church’s address. The year begins in September and ends in May.

    Here’s what your role will be as a Barnabas to a college student:

    — Pray for your student every day.

    — Communicate with the student assigned to you during the school year— once a month if possible.

    — Communicating with your student can be done in a number of ways (we’ll send you a packet of suggestions) that will be meaningful to your student and will remind him/her that they are still cared for and nurtured by their church family.

    If you have interest in becoming a Barnabas Mentor, or you are an adult who wants to learn more about the program, please click on the link below.

    Become a Barnabas Mentor

  • Barnabas Students

    All college students, from community college to graduate school, including those living at home, members and NON-members of DSMC, are encouraged to participate in the Barnabas Ministry.

    We have so many testimonies from Barnabas students who experienced love and encouragement from their mentor during the stress of the school year; that spurred them on or gave them a sense of peace as they were preparing for an exam or feeling overwhelmed. That’s the Holy Spirit at work!

    You can watch student’s testimonies here and here.

    This is a wonderful opportunity to receive a surprise each month of the school year! We have someone special who wants to communicate with you! It could be a snack (yeah!) or a card (birthday/holiday/finals?) or maybe a meditation (encouragement), or a small gift. These surprises will remind you that you are loved and cared for.

    We offer the encouragement and hope of God’s Holy Word. He will carry you through student life and beyond. Now how could you say no to that?!

    If you are a college student that would like to participate in the Barnabas program, click the link below to sign up!

    I'm a student