Early Days at Barnabas

During August and September we’ve invited several people to give you a look back
at the history of The Barnabas Center.  We hope these stories will be encouraging
and that you’ll resonate with the needs and hopes that are being shared.
In mid-September we’ll be back online with our usual thematic blog posts.
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It was 1988.  Palmer and Lynne Trice had returned to Charlotte from Colorado and were trying to decide the next steps in pursuing a Christian counseling ministry.

Palmer invited a group of us to be on his “Personal Board of Directors.”  That was a new concept for me and I felt very privileged to pray with, encourage and advise Palmer on his future.  From the meetings of the Palmer Trice Board of Directors, The Barnabas Center emerged.  “Barnabas, son of Encouragement” seemed to perfectly describe the ministry Palmer was pursuing.

In the beginning it was Palmer, Roger Edwards, and I, a part-time assistant working two mornings a week.   I had been an Assistant City Manager for the City of Charlotte before leaving that career to have a child.  I was a good planner and organizer, but I had never used a computer.  I credit The Barnabas Center and friends of Barnabas in making me computer literate.

We occupied two rooms in a space provided by Westminster Presbyterian Church, in offices adjacent to the Young Life Office. It was a generous gift from Westminster, but had its limitations. During elections, we had to vacate the offices in order for the residents of Precinct 1 to vote! And an “accordion wall” separated the two offices. But it was home and a great place to begin this fledgling new ministry.

So there we were – our little team – delving into life’s problems and encouraging each other. We had a front row seat to see God’s hand take an idea and grow it into a full blown ministry. It was a blessing to work alongside Palmer and Roger.

Dan and I have benefited greatly from The Barnabas Center.  Twenty five years have flown by, and multitudes of people have experienced healing and growth through its ministry.  Thank you, Palmer, for giving me the privilege of being there in the beginning.

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We are hosting a 25th birthday celebration this September, and we’d love to have you
join us!  It will be an evening of stories and sharing as we look back at where
Barnabas has been and look ahead to where we’re going.

Friday, September 12, 2014 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Refreshments and dessert will be served.
For more information and to register please visit:
https://barnabasbirthday.eventbrite.com

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Carol Jennings is the Chief of Staff of the Charlotte City Manager’s Office. She received a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Government from The University of Texas at Austin. Jennings is active at Westminster Presbyterian Church and lives in Charlotte with her husband, Dan. They have one son, Daniel.