Barnabas Aid

9 Nov, 2026

Barnabas Aid

Barnabas Aid is an international Christian ministry that provides hope and practical support to suffering and persecuted Christians. Since 1993 we have worked in some of the most hostile and challenging contexts to help those who are targeted by violent extremists or endure significant hardship in their communities. These Christians are overlooked, under-served, and desperately need aid. 

Hope and aid in dark places 

Our decades of work, in-depth research, and links to churches and Christian ministries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere ensure that we are well placed to act effectively and flexibly in love and compassion. 

We direct our efforts along four primary missional activities: 

  1. Education: We equip vulnerable believers with relevant education and godly leadership skills, enabling them to build healthy churches and strong civic institutions. 
  2. Aid : When our brothers and sisters are in danger or need, we will supply appropriate aid and practical support. 
  3. Empowerment: To foster resilience, we support initiatives that empower suffering Christians. We partner with Christianled ministries, businesses, farms and cooperatives to promote self-sustainability and reduce reliance on external aid.
  4. Advocacy: We speak up on behalf of suffering and persecuted Christians, making their needs known and funding projects to provide legal advice and assistance. 

Paul Hibbert is the North Island Regional Co-ordinator for Barnabas Aid New Zealand. He is originally from England, and moved to NZ in 2004 with his wife, Hayley. They spent their first 15 years in the South Island and the family has lived in Auckland since January 2020. Paul visits churches, pastors and individuals to bring awareness regarding the suffering experienced by our brothers and sisters across the globe. He travels to communicate what Barnabas Aid New Zealand is actively doing to bring hope and transformational aid to our persecuted and suffering Christian family. Paul values justice and has a heart to see people truly set free in to the liberty Christ bought for us. 

 

Prayer Points:

  1. Nigeria – Liyatu Dawa sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for sharing her faith with an adult woman who voluntarily chose to convert to Christianity. Liyatu was found guilty of “depriving a parent of lawful custody of his child” under sharia law, despite not consenting to this as a non-muslim. Her husband is in hiding due to threats to his life [BA website 30.10.26]. PRAY that the judgement will be overturned and justice and righteousness will prevail for Liyatu; that she and her husband will be surrounded by a “hedge” of angelic protection [Job 1:10]; for the extremist oppressors to encounter Jesus in a life-changing way.
  2. Pakistan – Father-of-three Qaiser Ayub, 49, sentenced to death for allegedly defiling the name of Muhammad. Qaiser’s appeal against conviction was dismissed, despite the same evidence, or lack of, being used to acquit his younger brother, Amoon. Christians accused of blasphemy often have to go into hiding following their release [BA website 15.10.26]. PRAY: for strength and courage for Qaiser and that the campaign to clear his name, led by ‘Voices for the Victims of Blasphemy Business Group’, will result in his freedom; for protection for the brothers and their families from extremists; for a complete overturning of the anti-Christ ideology that is prevalent in the nation’s legal system.
  3. North Korea – all religions were abolished in 1958. It remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Any expression of Christian faith is likely to lead to arrest, imprisonment and extremely harsh punishment, often to a whole family. PRAY for the Father to sustain His people for as long as they endure this fierce repression; that North Korea, like Nineveh of old, will from the greatest to the least, turn again to the Lord [Jonah 3:4-9];
  4. Uganda – Many children in Uganda do not have the opportunity to receive an education. A school scholarship programme has recently enabled 130 Christian children, mainly girls, to begin attending school. Funding covers the cost of tuition, school materials, uniforms, mentoring and counselling, as well as sanitary and hygiene supplies for the girls. Beneficiaries of the programme include impoverished Ugandan children, as well as refugees from the horrors of war. PRAY for the continued success of the scholarship programme, and for it s scope and reach to extend throughout the country and the wider region; that children’s lives will be transformed through the gift of education here; and PRAISE the Lord for this good news story.
  5. Persecuted believers throughout the world – as per James 5:16b, let’s fervently pray for our Christian family who on a daily basis, suffer discrimination, violence and injustice in Nigeria, Pakistan and throughout the world. For truth, justice and righteousness to prevail and the forces of oppression to be overcome.