Who would be crazy enough
to start a Church in the Desert ?
Jesus – for one.
Moses – for two.
Isaiah – for three.
John the Baptist – for four.
The Desert Fathers – for five.
The People of Saint Barnabas, Borrego Springs - for six.
The Desert plays a critical role in our faith and the life of the church. God gave Moses the ten commandments in the desert. Isaiah tells us the Lord will make the desert like the garden of the Lord and joy and gladness shall be found there. (Isaiah 51:3) John the Baptist began his ministry in the desert. (Matthew 3:1). The Temptation of Jesus took place in the desert. In the early Christian Church the Desert Fathers and Mothers moved to the desert to seek solitude.
Nearly two millenia later the desert is still a place that fosters spirituality, peace, solitude and faith. St Barnabas Borrego Springs offers the modern faithful the opportunity to fully experience that spirituality, peace, solitude and faith.
Nearly two millenia later the desert is still a place that fosters spirituality, peace, solitude and faith. St Barnabas Borrego Springs offers the modern faithful the opportunity to fully experience that spirituality, peace, solitude and faith.
About Borrego Springs
Others have described Borrego Springs as “Southern California, but a world apart”. The Desert offers opportunities to experience peace, serenity and spiritual contemplation that simply do not exist in many other places.
St Barnabas is best understood as “Borregan” – formed by the Borrego community and an integral part of the community. Barnabans take this relationship with the Borrego community seriously and it was easily the most often raised topic in a recent congregational survey.
By the numbers St Barnabas is a small congregation in a small community. Although small in number, the congregation has a disproportionate presence among the leadership of the Borrego Springs community.
St Barnabas is best understood as “Borregan” – formed by the Borrego community and an integral part of the community. Barnabans take this relationship with the Borrego community seriously and it was easily the most often raised topic in a recent congregational survey.
By the numbers St Barnabas is a small congregation in a small community. Although small in number, the congregation has a disproportionate presence among the leadership of the Borrego Springs community.
St Barnabas Community Involvement
As described by Rev Michael Plekon (himself a member) in his book Community as Church, Church as Community“The people of God at St. Barnabas have their hands in almost all the outreach that goes on in the valley—hosting and supporting a monthly food bank, volunteering in the schools in science and the arts, teaching English as a Second Language, mentoring students on their way to college, and participating in the performing arts center productions. Another retired priest who is a member, George Keith, is the artistic director for the Performing Arts Center. Other members are deeply involved with music and theater productions, as well as the yearly film festival. Two retired Priests resident in the parish assist regularly with preaching and teaching. Still others are on town committees interacting with the county supervisors for the area and with local health care providers.”
The most common themes mentioned in the recent congregational survey were: (1) community focus/partnership; (2) love in action; (3) welcoming atmosphere; (4) worship; (5) fellowship; (6) love/compassion; (7) doing the work of Jesus; (8) events; and (9) tradition.
The most common themes mentioned in the recent congregational survey were: (1) community focus/partnership; (2) love in action; (3) welcoming atmosphere; (4) worship; (5) fellowship; (6) love/compassion; (7) doing the work of Jesus; (8) events; and (9) tradition.
In his book Call to Excellence: Studies of Eight West Coast Churches, Rev. Alfred Smith devoted a chapter to St Barnabas. He observed that Barnabans “capture the essence of simplicity as they describe their lifestyle; sincerity as they discuss their mission; and serenity in their love for the beauty of the desert. St Barnabas gives that trinity of grace to the stranger. I found the Spirit of God alive at St Barnabas – an excellent community of angels!”
Barnabans enjoy a relationship with Jesus which inspires them to spread the gospel through words and deeds. It is no accident that the Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs is named for Barnabas who is identified in Acts 11:24 as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” who brought “a great number of people … to the Lord” (NIV) Along with Paul, Barnabas is referred to in scripture as one of the Apostles. Acts 14:14. Barnabas and Paul traveled together spreading the Gospel to all who would hear. In this way the Barnabans of Borrego Springs have adopted the very simple mission “to share the Love of Christ.”
Barnabans enjoy a relationship with Jesus which inspires them to spread the gospel through words and deeds. It is no accident that the Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs is named for Barnabas who is identified in Acts 11:24 as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” who brought “a great number of people … to the Lord” (NIV) Along with Paul, Barnabas is referred to in scripture as one of the Apostles. Acts 14:14. Barnabas and Paul traveled together spreading the Gospel to all who would hear. In this way the Barnabans of Borrego Springs have adopted the very simple mission “to share the Love of Christ.”
