 | |
| Founded | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Patrick Sookhdeo |
| Headquarters | Swindon |
| Website | www |
Barnabas Aid is an international, interdenominational Christian aid agency that supports Christians who face discrimination or persecution as a consequence of their faith.[1][2] It was established in 1993[3] 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.[4] Its operational headquarters are in Swindon, Wiltshire, and its registered address as the charity Barnabas Fund is at The Rectory in Pewsey, Wiltshire.[5][1]
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.[6]
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.[6][7]
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.[7][8]
- ^ a b "Barnabas Fund, registered charity no. 1092935". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Barnabas Fund - hope and aid for the Persecuted Church | Persecuted Christians : What is Barnabas Fund?". Archived from the original on 30 October 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Barnabas Fund - hope and aid for the Persecuted Church | Persecuted Christians : Why should they be secret?". Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ "Contact us". Barnabas Aid. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Marcus (22 August 2024). "'Chaos' at one of the biggest UK Christian charities as founders suspended". Premier Christian News. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ a b Davies, Madeleine (8 October 2024). "Charity Commission investigates Barnabas Aid". Church Times. London. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Dixon, Hayley (3 October 2024). "Christian charity investigated over alleged misuse of funds banned from spending large sums". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 October 2024.