Our History
In June 1983, in response to the economic crisis in South Eastern Michigan, the Presbytery of Detroit brought together a support group of unemployed workers. The goal of the support group was to enable members, through workshops, counseling, to find meaningful work. The support group was named the Barnabas Project; and the rest , as they say, is history.
Over the years the focus of the Barnabas Project has expanded. However, the mission is essentially the same - to empower individuals for meaningful living in accordance with the design with our Almighty Creator. This mission particularly rings true today as we diligently seek to reclaim and redirect youth who have been"disenfranchised" and encourage hardworking, motivated youth to stay on the righteous path. We have made continuous progress toward our goal one child at a time. We have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of children during our 18 years, and we strive to impact thousands more, this century.
We thank all of our wonderful and loyal supporters in the Presbytery, other churches, and community who have assisted us in achieving our mission. We look forward to continually working with you as we strive to effect change in the lives of our children and in our communities.
Stanley Edwards
Executive Director
Over the years the focus of the Barnabas Project has expanded. However, the mission is essentially the same - to empower individuals for meaningful living in accordance with the design with our Almighty Creator. This mission particularly rings true today as we diligently seek to reclaim and redirect youth who have been"disenfranchised" and encourage hardworking, motivated youth to stay on the righteous path. We have made continuous progress toward our goal one child at a time. We have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of children during our 18 years, and we strive to impact thousands more, this century.
We thank all of our wonderful and loyal supporters in the Presbytery, other churches, and community who have assisted us in achieving our mission. We look forward to continually working with you as we strive to effect change in the lives of our children and in our communities.
Stanley Edwards
Executive Director
"Success is not defined by the number of servants you have, but by how many people you serve."
-Ralph D. Abernathy, Former Executive Director
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Our Enterprise
The youth of the Barnabas Youth Opportunities Center are trained in the art of being entrepreneurs, so they can create businesses for themselves. The youth of Barnabas make wooden book cases, work benches, signs and typewriter desks with an optional computer cabinet which may be ordered. The sale of these items helps to provide stipends for the programs. To inquire about these items please contact Stanley Edwards (see "Contact Us" page).
Our Supporters
Churches: Corporations and Foundations:
Birmingham First Presbytery Bicentennial
Calvary UPC Mission Committee
Dearborn First Presbytery of Detroit
Farmington First Synod of the Covenant
Grandale Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation
Grosse Ile Fr. Clement H. Kern Foundation
Grosse Point Memorial Martha Wimbush Fund
Hope Junior League of Detroit
Jefferson Avenue Optimist club of Greater Grace
Littlefield Mobile Gas Station
Northminster Guardian Alarm
Orchard Lake
Plymouth First
Redford
Rosedale Gardens
Royal Oak First
St. Andrew's
St. Paul's
St. Timothy
Saline First
South Lyon
Southfield
Southwest United
Trinity Community
University Presbyterian of Rochester
Waterford
Wyandotte First
Birmingham First Presbytery Bicentennial
Calvary UPC Mission Committee
Dearborn First Presbytery of Detroit
Farmington First Synod of the Covenant
Grandale Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation
Grosse Ile Fr. Clement H. Kern Foundation
Grosse Point Memorial Martha Wimbush Fund
Hope Junior League of Detroit
Jefferson Avenue Optimist club of Greater Grace
Littlefield Mobile Gas Station
Northminster Guardian Alarm
Orchard Lake
Plymouth First
Redford
Rosedale Gardens
Royal Oak First
St. Andrew's
St. Paul's
St. Timothy
Saline First
South Lyon
Southfield
Southwest United
Trinity Community
University Presbyterian of Rochester
Waterford
Wyandotte First
Board of Directors
Arthur Dudley, Co-Chairperson
Barnabas Graduate and Branch Manager, Security Mortgage
Schylonda Lane, Treasurer
Barnabas Graduate and Student at Wayne County Community College
Stanley W. Edwards (Ex Officio)
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Barnabas, Inc.
Howard King Jr., (Ex Officio)
Community Director, Barnabas, Inc.
Sandra Ferguson
Administrative Assistant, Barnabas Inc.
Milton Fountain
Founder of Swing 4 Dreams
Kenneth L. Hollowell (Joined 2006)
Commissioner, Youth Development Commission
Trustee & Assistant Treasurer, Presbytery of Detroit
Former Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local Union #247
Reverend Thomas Priest
Golf Mentor and Bible Study Leader
Milton Snyder
Founding Member
Grant Writer and Treasurer
Barnabas Graduate and Branch Manager, Security Mortgage
Schylonda Lane, Treasurer
Barnabas Graduate and Student at Wayne County Community College
Stanley W. Edwards (Ex Officio)
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Barnabas, Inc.
Howard King Jr., (Ex Officio)
Community Director, Barnabas, Inc.
Sandra Ferguson
Administrative Assistant, Barnabas Inc.
Milton Fountain
Founder of Swing 4 Dreams
Kenneth L. Hollowell (Joined 2006)
Commissioner, Youth Development Commission
Trustee & Assistant Treasurer, Presbytery of Detroit
Former Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local Union #247
Reverend Thomas Priest
Golf Mentor and Bible Study Leader
Milton Snyder
Founding Member
Grant Writer and Treasurer
Members at the site
Stanley W. Edwards
Mr. Edwards is the Executive Director of the Barnabas Youth Opportunities Center, a Presbyterian Supported Ministry. He is married to Patrice. He attended Michigan State University and Control Data Institute for Computer Technology. Mr. Edwards has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and currently attends Calvary Presbyterian Church in Detroit. Over the years Mr. Edwards has served his church in many capacities, i.e.,Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Elder, and has served as a chairperson of Presbytery and Synod Committees. He strongly believes in the mission "To encourage and enable".
Sandra Ferguson
Mrs. Sandra has been with Barnabas longer than most people would think and Administrative assistant normally is. In fact she wen through the Barnabas program back in 1984 and was one of the first females to go through it. She enrolled at Franklin Adult Education and received her GED in 1988. Then pursued to become a nursing assistant. In the end when she lost her job she came back to Barnabas around 2007 and has been working here since then. She has seen many youths come through the site like she once did, and so she will continue to work with Barnabas since the need for this program is still here.
Mr. Edwards is the Executive Director of the Barnabas Youth Opportunities Center, a Presbyterian Supported Ministry. He is married to Patrice. He attended Michigan State University and Control Data Institute for Computer Technology. Mr. Edwards has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and currently attends Calvary Presbyterian Church in Detroit. Over the years Mr. Edwards has served his church in many capacities, i.e.,Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Elder, and has served as a chairperson of Presbytery and Synod Committees. He strongly believes in the mission "To encourage and enable".
Sandra Ferguson
Mrs. Sandra has been with Barnabas longer than most people would think and Administrative assistant normally is. In fact she wen through the Barnabas program back in 1984 and was one of the first females to go through it. She enrolled at Franklin Adult Education and received her GED in 1988. Then pursued to become a nursing assistant. In the end when she lost her job she came back to Barnabas around 2007 and has been working here since then. She has seen many youths come through the site like she once did, and so she will continue to work with Barnabas since the need for this program is still here.
