A partner ministry of Advancing Native Missions
Operation Barnabas International comes alongside indigenous pastors and their wives around the world—affirming their value, renewing their vision, and deepening their spiritual lives.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15
Our calling
Discouragement is a scourge on Christian leaders—pastors, evangelists, and missionaries—because it renders them ineffective. Since 1996, OBI has met that need with encouragement and advocacy for the shepherds of God’s flock overseas.
How OBI serves
Encouragement
Conferences and informal village encounters bring together sound Biblical preaching, spirited worship, and warm fellowship—with good food, clean bedding, and soap and water for those who struggle in ministry.
See past conferences →
Advocacy
Ministry team members often “catch the vision” and return home to advocate for their fellow laborers overseas, supplying resources so shepherds can fulfill their divine calling.
Stay connected
Devotionals, field reports, and prayer requests as conferences draw near. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conferences & encounters
“OBI is triage! …the place where God brings His church together to send His love and assurance, His strength and anointing, to those who are the weakest, the most frail, and to those who are most likely to ‘not make it.’”
Dan, writing from a conference in Liberia
From the field
“God spoke to us during the conference. We received in three days what we had not received after many years of fasting and praying.”
A pastor and his wife · Togo
“I have spent seven years giving out. At the OBI conference, I was able to take in… OBI spoke to my heart.”
A pastor · Indonesia
“This conference stirred up the calling and vision of the leaders in this part of Nepal. Thank you for igniting the servants of the Lord.”
A ministry leader · Nepal
News & devotionals
This fall, OBI held two conferences for pastors in India, the first for about 50 pastors and the second for about 60. It was OBI’s sixth overseas trip of 2026…
In September, at the invitation of a Tanzanian mission leader, OBI trained five leaders to conduct OBI conferences for pastors in their own country, where many pastors are deeply discouraged…
In April, OBI held two conferences in Vietnam, each for about 100 pastors.
“…encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:25