{{Short description|International, interdenominational Christian aid agency}} {{Infobox organization | name = Barnabas Aid | logo = Barnabas Aid logo.svg | logo_size = | founded = 1993 | founder = Patrick Sookhdeo | headquarters = Swindon | website = {{URL|www.barnabasaid.org}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} '''Barnabas Aid''' is an international, interdenominational Christian aid agency that supports Christians who face discrimination or persecution as a consequence of their faith.<ref name=cc-1092935>{{EW charity |num=1092935 |name=Barnabas Fund |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://barnabasfund.org/UK/About-us/Who-we-are/ |title=Barnabas Fund - hope and aid for the Persecuted Church | Persecuted Christians : What is Barnabas Fund? |access-date=2012-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030235731/http://barnabasfund.org/UK/About-us/Who-we-are/ |archive-date=2010-10-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was established in 1993<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://barnabasfund.org/_images_files/content/SCS/Information_files/SCS2011-Pakistan-Sheet_US.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717234908/http://barnabasfund.org/_images_files/content/SCS/Information_files/SCS2011-Pakistan-Sheet_US.pdf |archive-date=2012-07-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and channels aid to projects run by national Christians in more than 50 countries. It also campaigns in particular for the abolition of the Islamic apostasy law.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://barnabasfund.org/UK/Act/Campaign/Previous-Campaigns/Why-should-they-be-secret/ |title=Barnabas Fund - hope and aid for the Persecuted Church | Persecuted Christians : Why should they be secret? |access-date=2012-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031024643/http://barnabasfund.org/UK/Act/Campaign/Previous-Campaigns/Why-should-they-be-secret/ |archive-date=2010-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its operational headquarters are in Swindon, Wiltshire, and its registered address as the charity '''Barnabas Fund''' is at The Rectory in Pewsey, Wiltshire.<ref name=ba-contact>{{cite web |url=https://www.barnabasaid.org/gb/about/contact/ |title=Contact us |website=Barnabas Aid |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref><ref name=cc-1092935/>
In 2015, founder Patrick Sookhdeo resigned as leader of the charity after he was found guilty of sexual assault and intimidating witnesses. He later started working again for the charity as an adviser and later again as international director.<ref name=pcn-20240822>{{cite news |url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/chaos-at-one-of-the-biggest-uk-christian-charities-as-founders-suspended |title='Chaos' at one of the biggest UK Christian charities as founders suspended |last=Jones |first=Marcus |website=Premier Christian News |date=22 August 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
In early 2024, Barnabas Aid commissioned an external investigation by law firm Crowell & Moring into "allegations made by multiple whistle-blowers against the Barnabas founder, Patrick Sookhdeo, and other senior leaders within the organisation". In April 2024, several senior leaders were suspended pending the investigation. in June 2024, the international chief executive, Noel Frost, was dismissed.<ref name=pcn-20240822/><ref name=ct-20241008>{{cite news |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/11-october/news/uk/charity-commission-investigates-barnabas-aid |title=Charity Commission investigates Barnabas Aid |last=Davies |first=Madeleine |website=Church Times |location=London |date=8 October 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
In September 2024, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Barnabas Aid, and banned it from making payments over £4,000. There had been allegations of excessive spending on corporate payment cards, including on flights to Las Vegas, and inappropriate payments to trustees. There was concern there could be an unexpected £15 million overspend in charity finances.<ref name=ct-20241008/><ref name=telegraph-20241003>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/03/christian-charity-spending-restricted-amid-investigation/ |title=Christian charity investigated over alleged misuse of funds banned from spending large sums |last=Dixon |first=Hayley |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription |date=3 October 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
In January 2025, the Charity Commission extended its investigation<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulator launches statutory inquiries into four charities linked to Barnabas Fund |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-launches-statutory-inquiries-into-four-charities-linked-to-barnabas-fund |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> into four further charities linked to Barnabas Aid: TBF Trust,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TBF TRUST - Charity 271602 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/271602 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life,<ref>{{Cite web |title=OXFORD CENTRE FOR RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE - Charity 1139185 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5010458 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Reconciliation Trust<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE RECONCILIATION TRUST - Charity 1079245 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3966595 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Servants Fellowship International.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SERVANTS FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL - Charity 280859 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/280859/charity-overview |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> Trustees of the organisation's international board have ordered an independent investigation. The charity has admitted it has let supporters down through a situation which has been described by those within as ‘chaos’.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Chaos' at one of the biggest UK Christian charities as founders suspended - Premier Christian News {{!}} Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis |url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/chaos-at-one-of-the-biggest-uk-christian-charities-as-founders-suspended |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=premierchristian.news |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == *Persecution of Christians
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{EW charity |num=1092935 |name=Barnabas Fund}} *[http://www.barnabasfund.org/ Barnabas Fund Official site] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110804044927/http://barnabasfund.org/barnabas-aid-magazine Bi-monthly magazine]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnabas Fund}} Category:Evangelical parachurch organizations Category:Organisations based in Swindon Category:1993 establishments in England Category:Religion in Wiltshire
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