Our History
Vital ministries often begin in small ways. In the spring of 1992 Pastor Dick Germaine, believing God had spoken to him, invited four pastors to join him in an experiment to test the possibility of pastors from diverse backgrounds coming together on a regular basis to build relationships based on openness, honesty, mutual respect, support, and accountability. They met every third week for 9 months. The result:
| 1993 |
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Experimental group becomes permanent |
| 1994 |
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Adopted the name, "John 17:23 Fellowship" |
| 1995 | Formed 2nd group | |
| 1997 | 4 groups in existence - Leadership Team formed - 1st Pastors Retreat | |
| 2001 | 6 groups in existence | |
| 2002 | Barnabas Ministries incorporated - Pastor Dick Germaine becomes Executive Director | |
| 2003 | 1st Gift Day for pastors - part-time secretary Brenda Cappuziello joins staff | |
| 2004 | 1st Celebration Dinner | |
| 2006 | 11 John 17:23 pastors' groups in existence | |
| 2008 | Bill Filmore joins staff | |
| 2009 | John Bilowith joins staff | |
| 2009 | Bill Filmore launches Barnabas Ministries, West Michigan, with 1st support group | |
| 2010 | Brenda Capuzziello joins staff full-time | |
| 2011 | 29 groups in New England, 8 groups in Michigan (159 pastors in all) |