November 3, 2021

Barnabas Program Founder Anne Barron Tufts Visits Campus

Anne Barron Tufts (’09), Prince alumna and Barnabas Program founder, was recently on campus to speak to Prince Avenue Christian School high school Barnabas Program mentors.

As a junior in high school, Anne felt called to encourage the Prince high school community to operate as the hands and feet of Christ while ministering to the social, emotional, spiritual, and academic needs of lower school students. In 2008, with the help of teacher sponsors, Anne piloted the Barnabas Program that is still in existence today.

Barnabas Program mentors have the opportunity to make a year-long investment in the life of a lower school student. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can enroll in the program as an elective class after providing teacher recommendations and demonstrating Christian character which can be modeled to younger students. Mentors also participate in specialized training to prepare them for the year.

Anne shared her personal story with Prince students of being a young child in school who was desperate for encouragement and help. She explained the difference that her third-grade teacher at Prince, Lavonia Hardman, made in her life and reminded students that they can have a significant impact on the life of a younger child who looks up to them. “You never know the difference it makes for children to know that they have someone in their court.”

Anne was overjoyed to see the number of students that are active Barnabas mentors. “When I started the program, I asked my closest friends to help me. There were eight of us, and now there are more than 40. I am overwhelmed to see what God has done.”

Pictured Left to Right:  Retired Prince teacher Lavonia Hardman, Anne Barron Tufts, and Head of School Col Seth Hathaway