Our Story
We are born-again Christians who believe in one God and the saving power of Jesus Christ. We practice baptism in Jesus' name and are committed to following the teachings of the Bible. As missionaries, we have answered God's call to share the Gospel, serve those in need, and go wherever He leads us.
Since 2019, God has blessed us with the opportunity to make three mission trips to Uganda, Africa. During these missions, 99 people have been baptized, and many have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. God has opened doors for us to minister in churches, schools, and communities, allowing us to share His Word while meeting practical needs.
Through the generous support of our donors and ministry partners, we have provided school supplies, paid school fees, and helped young people attend vocational training. One example is a young man pursuing mechanical engineering, whose tuition costs only $225 every four months. This investment gives him the opportunity to build a brighter future.
Our ministry has also helped build two churches, including one in the village of Nakitolo, Mityana District, Uganda. In addition, we have supported the development of the Pitek Parwok Medical Center by helping provide electricity and solar power, allowing the clinic to better serve its community.
We are passionate about empowering individuals to become self-sufficient. We have purchased sewing machines for young women to help them start their own businesses, provided welding equipment for a young man named Kenny, supplied a cooking stove for Rachel, and sponsored several young women to attend beauty school. We have also purchased land to grow crops that are distributed to families in local villages and established a barber shop for another young man named James, giving him the opportunity to earn a sustainable income.
Our outreach extends to providing Bibles, clothing, shoes, mattresses, and water storage tanks for communities lacking basic necessities. However, one of our greatest goals is to provide clean drinking water by installing water wells. Many children currently rely on contaminated water sources, leading to preventable illnesses and disease. With the support of generous donors, we hope to bring safe, clean water to these communities and improve their quality of life.
Another important initiative is our Light Up Africa program. Many homes have little or no access to electricity, running water, or natural gas. Through affordable solar energy systems costing less than $200 per home, we can provide reliable lighting for families, improving safety, education, and daily living conditions.
Meet Our Board Members
A Message From Our President
"At 18 years old, the Lord placed a calling on my heart through the words of Luke 14:23:
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.”
From that moment, I understood that God was calling me to reach those who feel forgotten, rejected, broken, or unworthy of His love. This Scripture has remained the foundation of my ministry and continues to guide the work of Jabez African Mission.
Whether serving through missions in Africa or wherever God opens a door, my calling remains the same—to invite every person to experience the hope, healing, and salvation found in Jesus Christ. I believe no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and I remain committed to sharing His love with all who are willing to hear His invitation."
- President Christopher Barnes
A Message From Our Vice President
Psalm 37:5–6 reminds me to trust the Lord's guidance in every step of ministry.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."
As we serve through Jabez African Mission, I remain committed to sharing the Gospel, serving communities, and trusting God to lead our work.
— Vice President Deogratius Kalule
A Message From Our CEO's
A message from Tammy Orona
A message from Carl Barnes
A message from Carl Barnes
Jabez African Mission was born from a simple prayer inspired by 1 Chronicles 4:10: "Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory." I prayed that God would use my life for His purpose, and He answered that prayer in ways I could never have imagined.
My journey into missions began with an unexpected friendship through Facebook with a young man from Uganda named James. As he shared stories and photos of his village, he never once asked me for money or material support. One day, I asked him, "If I could bring you anything from America, what would you want?" His answer was simple: "A Bible, Mum."
That moment changed my life forever.
God placed a deep burden on my heart for the people of Africa, and since then, I have had the privilege of serving on multiple mission trips to Uganda, as well as ministering in Mexico and communities here in the United States. Every journey has strengthened my faith and reaffirmed God's calling to share His love through both the Gospel and practical acts of compassion.
By God's grace, we have witnessed lives transformed through Jesus Christ. We have celebrated baptisms, helped establish churches, supported medical clinics, provided educational opportunities for children, equipped young adults with vocational tools to start businesses, and delivered Bibles, clothing, and other essential resources to families in need.
One of the greatest needs we continue to see is access to clean drinking water. It is my prayer that, with the support of generous partners, we will continue installing water wells, expanding educational opportunities, building a Christian school and orphanage, and empowering communities to become self-sufficient.
Much of this ministry has been sustained through faith, prayer, and the generosity of people who believe in our mission. From baking banana bread and cookies to raising funds for outreach projects, every effort has been driven by one purpose: to share the love of Jesus Christ and bring hope where it is needed most.
I believe our calling is not simply to provide temporary relief, but to help people build brighter futures through faith, education, and opportunity. We strive to offer a hand up, not just a handout, empowering individuals and families to thrive with dignity and hope.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Jabez African Mission. Whether you choose to pray, volunteer, partner with us, or make a financial gift, you become part of a mission that is changing lives for the glory of God.
May God bless you abundantly, and I hope one day you'll have the opportunity to witness His amazing work alongside us.
- CEO Tammy Orona
A message from Carl Barnes
A message from Carl Barnes
A message from Carl Barnes
In the year 2000, the Lord spoke these words to me and my household:
"You will lead a nation out of a nation."
Those words forever changed the course of my life.
From that moment forward, I understood that my life was never my own—it belonged to the Lord. The plans I had for myself became secondary to His purpose, and I accepted the commission He had entrusted to me. That calling has remained the foundation of my life and ministry ever since.
The words of Christ in Luke 10:1–9 continually remind me that the Lord still sends His people into the harvest. He calls us to go wherever He leads, to proclaim His Kingdom, bring peace to those who are searching, minister to the hurting, and trust Him to prepare every path before us.
As Chief Executive Officer of Jabez African Mission, my desire is to faithfully fulfill that calling by leading with humility, serving with compassion, and remaining obedient to God's direction. Whether He sends us across the street or across the world, our mission remains the same—to carry the hope of Jesus Christ to every people, every nation, and every soul He places before us.
I believe the harvest is still plentiful, the call is still urgent, and God is still sending laborers into His harvest. My prayer is that every step we take as a ministry brings glory to Him and points others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
"The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."
— Luke 10:2 (KJV)
Our Members
Karla Barnes
Karla Barnes
Karla Barnes
Treasurer,
Karla Barnes
People often ask why I travel to Africa and other countries. The truth is, I don't know why God chose me for this mission, but I know He did.
Every time I see a child helped, a school built, a medical clinic opened, or a church established where there was once nothing, I am reminded why God called us.
I've seen village
Treasurer,
Karla Barnes
People often ask why I travel to Africa and other countries. The truth is, I don't know why God chose me for this mission, but I know He did.
Every time I see a child helped, a school built, a medical clinic opened, or a church established where there was once nothing, I am reminded why God called us.
I've seen villages where churches had only sticks for walls. I've seen believers whose church buildings were destroyed, yet they continued to worship with joy and unwavering faith.
I've watched people who have almost nothing still wear the biggest smiles. Their faith and gratitude have changed my life forever.
It is my prayer that you will understand why this mission means so much to us and consider joining us on this incredible adventure with God. Together, we can bless His people and make an eternal difference in the lives of children, families, and communities around the world.
James Bwogi
Karla Barnes
Karla Barnes
Favorite Scriptures
Matthew 25:40
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me."
Proverbs 19:17
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done."
Isaiah 58:10
"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness."
Sonny Barnes
Karla Barnes
Sonny Barnes
Louann Lowry
Karla Barnes
Sonny Barnes
Philippians 4:6–7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Christine Barnes
Drake William-Barnes
Christine Barnes
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 3:23
"And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another."
Nearly twenty years ago, my life was transformed because someone faithfully shared the love and hope of Jesus Christ with me. That life-changing experience inspired a lifelong commitment to serving
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 3:23
"And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another."
Nearly twenty years ago, my life was transformed because someone faithfully shared the love and hope of Jesus Christ with me. That life-changing experience inspired a lifelong commitment to serving others by reflecting Christ's love, sharing the message of the Gospel, and encouraging lives to be transformed through Him.
Aidan R Barnes
Drake William-Barnes
Christine Barnes
I have been chosen by God, even though I don't fully understand everything He has planned for my life. I know that He uses each of us exactly where we are.
As I continue to learn and grow in my faith, I pray that one day I will be ready to boldly share the Gospel and give back to communities that have never had the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Drake William-Barnes
Drake William-Barnes
Drake William-Barnes
Listening to my mom share stories about Uganda has inspired me to help others in ways I never imagined.
God has blessed me with more than I could ever deserve, and it breaks my heart to know there are young people who have never experienced the opportunities that I have.
I want to use the blessings God has given me to make a difference in the lives of others and to share His love wherever He leads.
Lesli Sperman
Drake William-Barnes
Drake William-Barnes
My heart is deeply drawn to this mission because it provides an opportunity to serve others with compassion and the love of Christ.
I believe God has called us to bring hope and healing through medical clinics, care for precious orphans, support local communities, and partner with local pastors as they share the Gospel.
It is a privilege to
My heart is deeply drawn to this mission because it provides an opportunity to serve others with compassion and the love of Christ.
I believe God has called us to bring hope and healing through medical clinics, care for precious orphans, support local communities, and partner with local pastors as they share the Gospel.
It is a privilege to serve alongside those who are making an eternal impact, and I know this mission will continue to strengthen my own faith while allowing me to be the hands and feet of Jesus.