There was consternation and turmoil amongst the staff of Barnabas Aid UK when we heard about the charity’s pro-LGBTQ stance and the job adverts that did not even require the applicant to be a Christian. Some of us were in deep shock. We could not understand how such a change of ethos could occur.
We noticed how quickly Nexcus reacted (Nexcus is the American organization which sized control of Barnabas Aid UK in April 2024, currently they are using the public name ‘Barnabas Aid International’) Within hours we got a message, which I think was sent out to all Barnabas staff across the world, assuring us that the Christian ethos of Barnabas Aid will continue. But still I had a sense of fear and foreboding.
Soon the adverts on the Barnabas Aid website were re-written. But readers who want to check what the adverts said previously can click here to read the job descriptions of the thirteen jobs being advertised on January 28th 2025.
Staff who answer the phone were told that if supporters phoned in to ask about the issue of LGBTQ issue in the job adverts, they had to be directed to the revised adverts and/or sent the Barnabas Aid Statement Of Faith.
Colin Bloom, the International CEO of Nexcus said that Barnabas Aid was ‘deeply Christian’ in fact more Christian than it had ever been before in its entire history.
But not all of us were convinced. What came to my mind was a saying which I have adapted as ‘the gentleman doth protest too much.’ Also I’ve seen Colin roll his eyes when he said he had to preach twice on a Sunday.
For some staff the news about the job adverts was the last straw and they handed in their resignations. Others, who have families to support and cannot afford to lose their job have stayed on despite their deep concerns. I suspect that a few colleagues, perhaps the new staff in the very senior positions, may have a pro-LGBTQ stance themselves.
Another huge concern for many of us in the office is that there seems to have been a quantum change in the priorities for grants. The first paragraph of Colin Bloom’s first magazine editorial talks of ‘love your neighbour’. Naturally there is nothing wrong with that because it is a Biblical command, but it is not what Barnabas does … or should I say used to do? As long as I have been with Barnabas Aid the emphasis has been on helping Christians and verses like Galatians 6:10 have been all over our literature and website.
An old Barnabas strapline said ‘From Christians through Christians to Christians.’
I suppose the strapline would now be ‘From Christians through supporters of LGBTQ and followers of New Age to people of any faith or none’
Please pray that God would open Colin Bloom’s eyes and give him understanding of what he has done to this charity that so many of us used to feel privileged and blessed to work for. Pray that he would have the will and ability to restore Barnabas Aid to its original priorities and ethos. Pray also for the Nexcus board* who have authority over Colin Bloom and people like Andrew Carey who seem to have influence over him. All of them are said to be Bible-believing Christians and been with Barnabas Aid for many years while Colin only joined last April. We cannot understand what has made them all betray our biblical basis. I feel that the glory of the Lord has departed from us, that we are Ichabod.
*Rev Michael Hewat (chair), Rev Ian Clarkson, John Marsh, Lord Simon Reading, Colin Bloom.
Please find attached the job descriptions for the positions previously advertised on January 28th, 2025, for your reference.