About Barakel

What to know ?

The Barakel Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) USA corporation (NGO) organized exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes.

Our Mission Statement

The specific purposes of The Barakel Foundation and their support ministries are for the sole purpose of furthering the Missions of Christ; and to present an offer of spiritual assistance through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people with spiritual needs; and to endeavor to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Barakel will endeavor to support evangelical efforts through Construction Services, Medical, Aviation Support Services and other missionary endeavors within the United States and THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.

Kenneth R. Krantz
Founder & CEO

About Us

Barakel is a non-denominational oriented Non Government Organization (NGO) that endeavors to support evangelical efforts through Disaster Construction Rebuilding Services, Medical, Aviation Services and other missionary activities. This is a collaborative effort between private citizens, other NGO's, interfaith communities, government entities and businesses. Barakel has in affect a "Conflict of Interest Policy" and has adapted a Position Statement on Sphere and has implemented an Anti-Corruption Policy including the adaption of the Transparency International position manual.

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Disaster Relief within United States & Third World Countries

Barakel begins their evaluation assessments of disasters usually after the first line Government agencies and local/major international (NGO) organizations complete recovery and stabilize medical, food assistance and security if required. Our focus is engineering assessments and transiting from temporary tent and trailer shelter to permanent structure construction. Barakel can also furnish SafeAffordable^® Housing that eliminates the need of basic disaster shelter (tents and trailers) and intermediate shelter buildings. SafeAffordable^® Housing is flexible permanent construction that can be disassembled and reassembled at different locations if required.

Development & Building of "Homes by Community"

Barakel works through existing Non Governmental Organization's (NGO's), both qualified and non-qualified 501 (c) (3), by helping to build ENERGY EFFICIENT & SUSTAINABLE SafeAffordable^® housing within their communities.

Development & Building of (Specialty Housing)

Barakel has joint ventured with Safewall/SafeDEK Companies to replace FEMA Trailers with Energy Efficient and Hurricane Resistant Removable shelter housing using a "Lend Lease Program" that is expected to save taxpayers millions of Dollars. Other Joint Venture projects include Removable "MEDSUITES" built on caregivers property using an assistance program that networks patient care with local hospitals and other agencies with SMART TECHNOLOGIES.

"ADOPT A COMMUNITY"

Barakel networks together with different churches, not-for-profit organizations and others to implement mission endeavors as a National Sponsor. Many US and International groups want to be a part of mission work but, have limited knowledge or understanding on project development, construction, shipping of goods, and providing safety of church groups going abroad etc. Many individuals, group and church organizations want to know that what is given is being used in a responsible manner. Many projects can be developed and implemented over a long time periods (3yrs-5yrs or even 10 years as an ongoing mission.

HISTORY of BARAKEL'S FOUNDER

Barakel was founded in 1999 by Ken Krantz in Jacksonville, Florida. With a heart for mission work, Ken became involved in prison ministries within Florida and Jamaica followed by work in Thailand and the Philippines focusing on importing aircraft for mission work.

Ken grew up working in the contracting business and moved to Florida from Michigan in 1983. In 1984 Krantz became a State Certified Building Contractor and founded the Kenneth R. Krantz Company, Inc. completing several commercial / industrial concrete and general construction projects in Northeast and Central Florida.

In 2003 Ken founded Safewall^® of Florida, LLC and Safewall^® Concrete Systems, LLC in North East Florida specializing in building custom concrete housing systems. He also began building SafeAffordable^® Replacement Housing in North West Florida after Hurricane Ivan.

Ken has Patents pending on building concrete storm rooms in existing wood framed homes and has developed an innovative Proprietary system called SafeDEK. Safewall^® & SafeDEK^® are assemblies that are interrogated with structural building components systems in the building construction industry.

This innovative building assembly system addresses not only adverse weather conditions, but real energy efficiencies facing all of us in the years to come.

The system eliminates the need of basic disaster shelter (tents and trailers) and intermediate shelter buildings. The Safewall/SafeDEK SYSTEM is flexible permanent construction that can be disassembled and reassembled at different locations if required.

Pre-History in the naming and development of the Barakel Foundation

CONSTRUCTION IN OUR BLOOD
All three Krantz brothers worked in the construction business starting as mason and concrete contractors in Bay City, Michigan early in their lives.

(Photo 2006) Ken Krantz (Left) Joe Krantz (Center) James (Jim) Krantz (Right)

Joe “our big brother” taught us the building trades well. Joe’s favorite saying was “Every block we lay we try to make a friend.” Brother James favorite saying was “If we do all of our work when we are resting .......then....we will never get tired.” Brother Ken’s favorite saying, was “Two more weeks.......I am working on it.” All three brothers (and their wives) remained close through their married lives. "We all socialized, played and traveled together for over forty years." [Ken Krantz] All three brothers, because of their independence and entrepreneurship, went in different directions into the business world.

Ken and James (Jim) Krantz both became new Christians in their early thirties and continually visited a Christian retreat center called Camp Barakel which is located outside of Fairview, Michigan.

Both brothers volunteered their time at Barakel doing construction work on many camp projects. Ken's kids attended many week long summer camp programs. Ken's wife Jan attended retreats for ladies including joint couple retreats with Ken. “Experiences at Camp Barakel helped in the spiritual development of our family tremendously.” [Ken Krantz]

Brother James moved to Orlando, Florida in 1980 and developed a successful General Contracting business. James spent many years loving the Lord and working on missionary "building projects" throughout Africa and China. Brother James' life ended tragically in 2007. James loved life as a giver and a servant.

Brother Ken moved to Orange Park, Florida in 1983. Ken became a Florida Certified Building Contractor in 1984 and started a successful construction business specializing in Commercial structural concrete construction and commercial building. Ken continues an involvement in various construction rated businesses within the US.

Brother Joe developed several businesses in Michigan including one of the most successful #6 oil distribution companies within the State of Michigan. It took many years of “seed planting” by Brother James and in 2006 Brother Joe made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ and now his future is secured throughout eternity. Joe has been a major philanthropist within his community and helps in funding of Barakel endeavors.

In 1999, Ken wanted to volunteer his time to fly airplanes for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Even thought Ken was an instrument rated pilot, they (MAF) required an additional certification as an A&P Mechanic (able to fix the plane that he would be flying). The encouragement of both Brother Joe and James and the rejection of not being able to fly airplanes for mission work....... Ken was inspired to form The Barakel Foundation.