Charity Commission Launches Statutory Inquiries into Barnabas Aid-Linked Charities Amid Governance Concerns

The Charity Commission has initiated statutory inquiries into four charities with ties to Barnabas Aid, a Christian organization renowned for supporting persecuted Christians worldwide. The charities under scrutiny include the TBF Trust, Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life, Reconciliation Trust, and Servants Fellowship International (SFI).

This development follows ongoing investigations into Barnabas Aid itself, with concerns mounting over governance issues, shared resources, and potential financial irregularities across the “Barnabas Family” network.

A Network Under the Microscope

Central to the Commission’s inquiries are questions about overlapping purposes, trustees, and founders, which raise potential risks to compliance with charity law. While Barnabas Aid focuses on alleviating the plight of Christians facing persecution, its affiliated charities operate with similar objectives:

• TBF Trust, Reconciliation Trust, and SFI: These organizations provide grants to promote Christian faith initiatives.
• Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life: This entity prioritizes education and research aimed at fostering inter-religious harmony.

The Charity Commission’s intervention follows findings from a prior inquiry into Barnabas Fund in October 2024, where restrictions were placed on transactions exceeding £4,000. The recent investigations have gone a step further, freezing Reconciliation Trust’s accounts and capping transactions for the remaining three charities at £2,500 unless prior consent is obtained.

Unpacking the Concerns

The Commission is investigating several pressing matters, including:

• Governance and Oversight: The trustees’ ability to safeguard the charities’ assets and ensure compliance with their objectives.
• Financial Transactions: Whether transactions across the network of charities pose risks to donors’ funds or suggest misconduct.
• Structural Alignment: The alignment of these charities with Barnabas Fund and their reported ties to US-based Nexcus.

The overlapping nature of the charities’ purposes has prompted regulators to question whether adequate safeguards exist to maintain independence and prevent conflicts of interest.

Barnabas Aid’s Response

In response to the October investigation, Barnabas Aid had expressed a cooperative stance, stating:

“We will comply with both the letter and the spirit of order and instructions given by the Charity Commission. This will further reinforce confidence that donated funds will be used to help suffering and persecuted Christians, in line with our charitable objectives.”

The organization acknowledged the administrative hurdles posed by the investigation but reiterated its commitment to continuing its mission of supporting vulnerable Christian communities during this challenging period.

What’s at Stake?

For many donors, Barnabas Aid represents a vital lifeline for persecuted Christians. However, the revelations and restrictions have cast a spotlight on the governance practices within its associated charities. The Charity Commission’s inquiries aim to ensure that public trust in the charitable sector is upheld and that funds are deployed ethically and in alignment with their intended purposes.

The Bigger Picture

As these investigations unfold, they may prompt wider conversations about governance, accountability, and financial transparency within faith-based charities. With millions of pounds at stake and a global reputation on the line, the Barnabas network faces a pivotal moment.

For the faithful who see Barnabas Aid as a beacon of hope, the coming months will determine whether the organization and its affiliates can emerge stronger and more transparent, or if these inquiries will leave lasting scars on their legacy.

The Charity Commission has yet to announce when the investigations will conclude. In the meantime, the Christian charity sector and its supporters will be watching closely.