The Barnabas ministry of Encouragement was launched in 1999 as an extension to the ministry vision of Pastor Jim Palmer. After 35 years of church planting and pastoral leadership ministry in the UK; God led him into a wider ministry to churches and leaders in various countries of the world.

Jim's wife Jean passed away into the presence of the Lord in 2004 after a prolonged period of serious illness. In a wonderful way God brought Jim and Evelyn together. Their marriage has joined Jim and Evelyn's years of world missions experience together into a rich partnership in Barnabas Ministry of Encouragement.