[1][2] It was established in 1993[3] and channels aid to projects run by national Christians in more than 50 countries.

[5][1] In 2015, founder Patrick Sookhdeo resigned as leader of the charity after he was found guilty of sexual assault and intimidating witnesses.

[6] In early 2024, Barnabas Aid commissioned an external investigation by law firm Crowell & Moring into "allegations made by multiple whistle-blowers against the Barnabas founder, Patrick Sookhdeo, and other senior leaders within the organisation".

[6][7] In September 2024, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Barnabas Aid, and banned it from making payments over £4,000.

[7][8] In January 2025, the Charity Commission extended its investigation[9] into four further charities linked to Barnabas Aid: TBF Trust,[10] Oxford Centre for Religion in Public Life,[11] Reconciliation Trust[12] and Servants Fellowship International.