Operation Barnabas

LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces

In 2007, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces launched Operation Barnabas. Through this program — the only one of its kind in the U.S. — together with our congregations, we accomplish three key goals:

1. Care for Reserve chaplains and their families and congregations.

2. Train and assist local congregations in the care, support and outreach to all military connected people in their congregations and their communities.

3. Serve as a resource to other organizations that provide care to military connected people.

Our desire is to enable our congregations to lead their communities in welcoming these military families back home. They have borne the weight of repeated deployments, and we can prepare to receive them home in concert with local chambers of commerce, schools and medical facilities.

• Become an Operation Barnabas Chapter

• Operation Barnabas chapters are similar to any other group in your congregation, like Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and others.

  You will need a dedicated group of people in your church to serve in the chapter. This is not another task for your pastor. This is a chance for your congregation to actively serve in your community and share the love of Christ with those who have borne the burden of defending our nation.

  Chapters typically meet every month, and they seek to actively engage the military in your community.

  Please contact LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces for information on starting a chapter in your congregation.

  • Phone: 888-THE LCMS (843-5267)
  • Email: lcmschaps@lcms.org or infocenter@lcms.org

• Connecting with Congregations

• Operation Barnabas has worked with dozens of congregations, but we realize hundreds more congregations also are caring for military families. We ask you to contact us so we can recognize your work and encourage you as you serve military families.

  • We can share your congregation’s information with military families asking us to find a local congregation near their duty station.
  • We can recognize you with a certificate suitable for placement in your church.
  • We can share your congregation’s outreach and encourage other congregations to learn from you.
  • We can forward information to you on a regular basis to better equip you to care for military families.

  Contact us