About Us

Overview of Ken Krantz’s History

Ken, originally from Bay City, Michigan, moved to Florida in 1983. He became a State Certified Building Contractor in 1984 and founded Kenneth R. Krantz Company, Inc., completing various commercial and industrial construction projects in Northeast and Central Florida.

CEO & Founder
The Barakel Foundation, Inc. ‐ a 501(c)(3) NGO Organization
1999 – Present

Barakel is a non-denominational NGO supporting evangelical efforts through disaster construction, medical, aviation services, and other missionary activities. It collaborates with private citizens, NGOs, interfaith communities, government entities, and businesses. Barakel has a “Conflict of Interest Policy” and a Position Statement on Sphere.

Barakel was established in 1999 by Ken Krantz in Jacksonville, Florida. Ken engaged in prison ministries within Florida and Jamaica, followed by work in Thailand and the Philippines focusing on importing aircraft for mission purposes. Barakel’s aim is to provide spiritual assistance through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to individuals with spiritual needs.

Pictured in 2006 are Ken Krantz (left) and Joe Krantz. (Center) James (Jim) Krantz (Right)

Joe, referred to as “our big brother,” imparted his extensive knowledge of the building trades to us. Joe’s favorite saying was, “Every block we lay, we try to make a friend.” Brother James often remarked, “If we do all of our work when we are resting, then we will never get tired.” Meanwhile, Brother Ken’s regular quip was, “Two more weeks… I am working on it.” Despite their individual business pursuits, all three brothers (and their wives) maintained close relationships throughout their married lives. [Ken Krantz] stated, “We all socialized, played, and traveled together for over forty years.” Due to their independence and entrepreneurial spirit, each brother eventually embarked on different paths in the business world.

Ken and James (Jim) Krantz became Christians in their early thirties and frequently visited Camp Barakel near Fairview, Michigan. Both brothers volunteered at the camp, doing construction work on projects.

James moved to Orlando, Florida in 1980 and built a successful General Contracting business. He spent many years serving the Lord and working on missionary building projects in Africa and China. Sadly, James passed away in 2007. He was known for his generosity and servant heart.

Ken relocated to Orange Park, Florida in 1983. He obtained certification as a Florida Certified Building Contractor in 1984 and established a construction business focusing on commercial structural concrete construction and commercial buildings.

Joe founded several businesses in Michigan, including a leading oil distribution company. After years of encouragement from Brother James, Joe professed faith in Jesus Christ in 2006. As a major philanthropist in Bay City, he funded Barakel’s initial development. Joe passed away in May 2012 after a long illness.

In 1999, Ken wanted to volunteer for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) as a pilot. Despite his qualifications, MAF required him to be certified as an A&P Mechanic. Encouraged by the Brothers Joe and James but facing rejection from MAF, Ken established The Barakel Foundation.

Safewall of Florida, LLC
2003 – Present

In 2003, Ken founded Safewall of Florida, LLC in Northeast Florida, specializing in the construction of custom concrete housing systems. Additionally, he commenced building Replacement Housing in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Ivan. Since 1984, as a State Certified Building Contractor, Safewall remains active and continues to operate in Florida as a major subcontractor, project builder, and developer.

Research and Development

Ken discovered a modified wall/deck SIP system using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and MgO boards in 2008. After trips to Japan and China, he tested SIP wall and deck panels for use in the U.S. building industry. Most MgO boards have been manufactured in China due to large deposits of magnesium magnesite. MgO boards are now used for structural flooring, roof sheathing, finished walls and ceilings, replacing drywall and different types of cement board.

The industry lacks credible standards, with manufacturers copying cement and drywall board standards instead of creating their own. Ken realized manufacturing might change if shifted to the U.S. ASTM International has started developing new material testing and manufacturing standards for MgO boards.

Ken paused plans in 2024 for the development and building of a major MgO board manufacturing plant to focus on Evangelism. He noticed 98% of local churches lack realistic Evangelism programs. In 2024 -2025, he developed a simple training method to help Christians share the Gospel effectively, resulting in the successful ‘Gospel Czar Initiative.’

“I view marriage as the commencement of a shared life, initiated through the ceremony and the exchange of vows—without these, there is no marriage. Similarly, individuals become disciples only after dedicating themselves to Jesus Christ; therefore, Evangelism is invariably the foundational step in the process of disciple-making” (Ken Krantz).

‘The Gospel Czar Initiative’

What We Do

Gospel Czar’ are Christians who are willing to become ‘facilitators’ in the helping to TEACH others to become good soldiers in the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Thousands of people in a global marketplace.

Our ministry model is based on The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20

19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
    And
    Mark 16:15
    15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.