Barbados An Unfinished Church That Started a Mission
St. Michael, Barbados | 2004–2008
Sometimes the beginning of something new starts by finishing something someone else began.
In 2004, Joel Davis traveled with a small group of men from his church to Barbados for a construction mission trip. They weren't there to break ground on a new building. They were stepping into a project that had already been under construction for more than 12 years.
The 12,000-square-foot building had experienced years of starts and stops. Volunteers had come and gone. Funding had changed. Progress had been made, but the building remained unfinished.
For Joel, the experience revealed an overlooked need.
There were organizations willing to start construction projects. What was needed were committed teams willing to finish them.
An Unfinished Church in Barbados
The building belonged to Emmanuel Baptist Church in St. Michael, Barbados.
Finish the Work eventually returned to Barbados with 39 volunteers representing nine churches to help bring the long-running project to completion.
Work on the building included interior cabinets, lighting, bathrooms, water piping, painting and other finishing work needed to make the space usable.
In 2008, the Emmanuel Baptist Church building was finally completed.
Finishing the building gave the church additional space to expand its daycare ministry and continue serving families in the surrounding community.
But the impact of the project extended far beyond Barbados.
The Project That Helped Create Finish the Work
Joel returned from that first experience with a conviction that would eventually become the mission of Finish the Work.
Rather than beginning more construction projects, what if a ministry existed specifically to identify projects that had already been started but could not be completed?
What if teams arrived ready to pick up where someone else stopped? What if finishing a building could remove a burden from a pastor or community leader and allow them to focus again on serving people? Finish the Work grew from those questions.
Today, the organization continues to seek unfinished churches and community buildings where focused construction assistance can make a lasting difference.
More Than Finishing a Building
The Finish the Work model is intentionally designed to support local ownership.
Whenever possible, construction materials are sourced within the country, and local laborers work alongside Finish the Work volunteers. This makes future repairs and maintenance more practical and keeps the building where it belongs — in the hands of the local church or community.
Finish the Work does not arrive to put its name on a building.
We arrive to help finish it.
From Barbados to a Continuing Mission
What began with one unfinished building in Barbados became a mission that has taken volunteer teams to communities throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Every project is different, but the purpose remains the same: identify unfinished work, bring together the people and resources needed to complete it, and leave local leaders with a space they can use to serve their communities.
The building in Barbados was finally finished.
The mission it inspired was just beginning.
Frequently asked questions about FTW and the work they complete:
Where did Finish the Work begin?
The story of Finish the Work began with a 2004 construction mission trip to Barbados, where founder Joel Davis worked on a 12,000-square-foot building that had already been under construction for more than 12 years.
What project did Finish the Work complete in Barbados?
Finish the Work helped complete the Emmanuel Baptist Church building in St. Michael, Barbados. The completed facility provided additional space for the church and its daycare outreach.
Why does Finish the Work focus on unfinished construction?
Finish the Work was created around an often-overlooked need: many worthwhile church and community construction projects are started but remain unfinished because resources, funding or volunteer teams run out. Finish the Work specifically seeks projects it can help bring to completion.
Do Finish the Work volunteers need construction experience?
No. Finish the Work welcomes volunteers with different skill levels. Projects include skilled construction as well as tasks such as painting, cleaning and other work that can be completed by willing volunteers.
Ready to help finish what was started? Learn how you can go, pray, give or partner with Finish the Work.
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