For some time now the Lord has been impressing upon my heart the great need for His love among our troubled youth of today. Rather than watch them throw away their lives, something must be done to give them a hope for life and a sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions.

It is because of this conviction that the House of Barnabas was created. I was once one of those headed down the path of destruction until Jesus changed my life through the love and encouragement of others who were willing to mentor and disciple me. It is the desire of my wife, Covette, and I to give the same opportunity to other young men. God has graciously given us an opportunity for a new life in Christ, and we want to share it with others, especially young boys.

We also want to encourage you, as a parent, not to give up on your son. Our God is the God of the impossible! It may take drastic measures, such as sending your son away, or it may just take implementing a more consistent discipline at home. Whatever the case, don't be afraid to make changes. Moving ourselves out of our comfort zone is moving ourselves into a position where God can really begin His work.

Also, recognize God is the only one who can truly change a persons heart. We can teach them new habits and teach them to obey or pay the consequences, but God is the only one who can awaken their hearts to Him and create a true desire for submission and self control. That is why interceding for your child through prayer is so important. Our own relationship before the Lord is also of utmost importance. We must be willing to openly examine ourselves before the Lord and to make changes in our own lives, before we can expect it from our children.

Please consider these words of encouragement as you make a hard, but necessary decision for your family. We would appreciate the opportunity to pray and visit with you about your situation. Be assured that contacting our ministry in no way binds you to enrolling your son.

The House of Barnabas is a nondenominational, non profit ministry with the goal of providing a loving, family atmosphere to troubled boys, ages twelve to sixteen. One where they are mentored, being encouraged to build upon their strengths and recognize their weaknesses. Where they can learn a good work ethic and, most importantly, where they can learn of Jesus Christ and find purpose of life. Reaching this goal takes time and commitment. For that reason parents are asked to enroll their child for a minimum of sixteen months.

Our program focuses on learning submission and self control as well as teaching responsibility and accountability for one's own actions. We work to accomplish these attributes through a daily routine of devotions and prayer time, chores, consistent discipline, and work projects.

While at the house of Barnabas, the boys learn many skills useful to their future such as mechanical and construction skills, caring for animals, farming, and ranching. They also engage in academic studies and are enrolled in accredited courses through a Christian academy, which allows them to earn credits toward a high school diploma, or make preparations for GED testing. While knowing the importance of a good education, we are of the opinion that character building is of the utmost importance. If a boy is academic, but has no self control he is lost. If children are not learning self control or obedience to authority, how will they succeed in life?

Many times, Covette and I have been asked if we can help children who are ODD, ADHD, ADD, on drugs (pharmaceutical or street) or alcohol, or when counselors or psychiatrists haven't worked.  We work with whomever the Lord wants here and rely on Him to bring those who will benefit from our home. The souls of men are what matter to us.  It is not the magnitude of the child's problem, but whether the Lord would use us in assistance with your child.  If a boy doesn't know self control with anger or rebellion against authority, he needs to be taught.  How do you teach?  The same way you and I are dealt with by our Heavenly Father -- trials and strict discipline, love and encouragement.  If your son is out of control, has you frustrated, is just on the verge of trouble, or you just don't have time for him, we want to help with this in his and your life.

Our home is located in south, central Montana just 5 miles north of the Wyoming border near the Pryor Mountain Range. Over the last four years the boys have had an active part in our building of the ranch, helping from the ground up. We are proud to see such a great accomplishment come true and are thankful for the many who helped work with, support, and encourage us through the process. Though some may see it as desolate, our area has a beauty all it's own. We enjoy each change of season and the unique beauty it brings to this wide-open land.

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Our daily schedule varies from day to day, depending on the season and our different projects, but the following gives you some idea of what a day at the House of Barnabas may consist of. Sunday is our day of rest. We go to church, eat, sleep, and play!

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Peggy and Lyle Christensen have been a really great blessing to us as friends and Christian brothers and sisters.  Mike is now home, and he is a great blessing to us too.  Everyone today is looking for references, and that is a good thing.  But really, if you want to know the truth about another man, you need to look him in the eyes and pray with him.  Then you will know by the Spirit of God what you are supposed to do.  That is what we would like parents to do.  Come look us in the eyes and pray with us.  If you care about your child, you need to know, truly, the people he will be with and that can only be done by meeting and beginning a relationship with those people.  What we do is a very personal thing with people.  In part, this is the reason we are discontinuing the use of our email.  We have found that it is too impersonal.  We would ask that you would call and talk, but most of all, pray before you do, and let's begin a relationship in Christ together about your son.  This isn't a battle for just today, but for eternity.

May the Lord bless you,
Joe Ramby

I have a son that was headed towards destruction. He was disrespectful to anyone who had any type of authority over him. As a teen Michael thought he should be in control. He was very good at using manipulation and his sharp tongue to get what he wanted. He was a very angry and unhappy person. Satan was trying hard to take hold of him and he was denying God.

As a concerned parent I watched my son heading down a path of destruction. I came to the realization that I needed someone to help me save my son from destroying his life.

My prayers were answered when the Lord lead me to Joe and Covette at the House of Barnabas. With the help of Joe and Covette's mentoring, discipline, and genuine love and concern my son has turned his life around. Michael has changed his heart and committed his life to Christ. Michael is learning responsibility and the need to be accountable for his own actions while living at the House of Barnabas. This is accomplished as a result of various activities that are a part of their daily routine. These include daily devotions and prayer time, chores, consistent discipline and the love that is present when you are a part of a family that is committed to doing God's will.

I have seen tremendous change in my son in the months that he has been at the House of Barnabas. Praise the Lord! Michael has changed his attitude and is a caring, sensitive and respectful young man. He has learned submission and self control. It is a joy to see what the Lord is doing in his life.

Michael is also learning many skills that will be useful throughout his life. Some of these include caring for animals, small engine repair, woodworking, heating and air conditioning skills, gardening, cooking, and construction skills.

I have regular contact with Joe and Michael and the lines of communication are always open. Joe keeps me informed of the issues he is working on with Michael and the methods he is using to bring about the changes necessary in his behavior.

I am grateful for what the Lord is doing in my son's life. My family his truly been blessed by the work that Joe and Covette do at the House of Barnabas.

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God is a Person who has revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit-three Persons and yet but one God. The Bible, including both the Old and the New Testaments, is a divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, which is to say, He is Himself very God; he took upon Him our nature, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the world; He arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; He ascended into heaven in that body glorified, where He is now, our interceding High Priest; He will come again personally and visibly to set up His kingdom and to judge the quick and the dead.

Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, and, in that sense, is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; salvation is by grace through faith in Christ who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree; the retribution of the wicked and unbelieving and the reward of the righteous are everlasting, and as the reward is conscious, so is the retribution. The Church is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations; it will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air when He appears to set up His kingdom.

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If you would like to learn more about our home, or are interested in enrolling your child, please call or write us at:

Enrollment Fees:  $1,400 per month; First month $2,800