about

Barnabas Collective is an affiliate of the National Organization, Barnabas Group. And launched its chapter in 2026.

Since its inception, thousands of Barnabas Group partners have worked with hundreds of ministries to impact millions of lives.

We provide a vehicle for leaders burdened to use their talents and experience for the Lord with opportunities that align with their calling. We help those who are looking to identify their God-inspired calling find it. Ultimately, they are presented with high-return opportunities to use their unique abilities, network, and spiritual gifts to assist ministries who reflect their God-inspired passions.

Our History

The Barnabas Group was co-founded by Bob Shank and Jim West to address a gap they saw in the Christian community. Historically, marketplace leaders were often seen as "checkbooks with legs" rather than strategic resources with valuable insights. Shank and West wanted to "Flip the Script," creating a community where ministries would be invited to ask for engagement—the time, talent, and networks of partners—instead of just money. This powerful vision began with just 16 partners in the first Southern California chapter and has since grown into a multi-chapter movement.

In 2012, this movement expanded into one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation with the establishment of The Barnabas Group Inland Empire. The presence here is strategic, as the Inland Empire is home to over 4.5 million people and more than 15,000 nonprofit organizations. The chapter was created to bring the Barnabas model of connection and engagement to serve the ever-increasing needs of this significant region.

Bob Shank

The visionary founder of The Barnabas Group is Bob Shank, a man who has dedicated his life to mentoring leaders. As the founder and CEO of The Master's Program, Bob has a long history of guiding successful executives toward a deeper sense of purpose and Kingdom impact. It was from this unique vantage point that he saw the need for The Barnabas Group. He recognized that Christian marketplace leaders were an incredible resource for ministry, not just for their financial success, but for the strategic wisdom and professional expertise they had spent a lifetime cultivating.

Jim West

Jim West, a prominent and successful real estate executive, was the first marketplace leader to catch Bob's vision and partner with him to co-found the organization. Jim embodied the very person the group was meant to serve: a leader with significant business acumen looking for a trusted, effective way to invest his talents in ministry. Their partnership was the perfect fusion of the group's mission, combining Bob's 'pastor to leaders' heart with Jim's real-world marketplace experience. This foundational blend of ministry and business expertise is the cornerstone they established, creating the model for impact that The Barnabas Group uses to this day.

About The Barnabas Collective

Connecting partners with ministries impacting millions of lives.

Our History

Who Are the Founders?

Bob Shank

Jim West