Carl Barkow brings a unique blend of ministry leadership and marketplace experience to his role as Executive Ministry Director at 21C International. After more than two decades in the financial services industry, Carl felt a strong call to leverage his MDIV and serve the Church more directly, first on staff at a large church in Chicago, and now through 21C’s global mission.

Carl first met Steve and Leanne White while serving together at a church in Utah, years before 21C International was founded. After seeing the work of 21C firsthand, he felt deeply drawn to the mission of equipping pastors in the majority world, especially those serving faithfully despite little access to training or resources. His heart for Kingdom impact, paired with his experience in both ministry and the marketplace, made 21C a natural fit.

Today Carl leads 21C’s strategic direction with a focus on growth, global scalability, and donor engagement. In addition to his ministry work, Carl maintains a presence in the financial sector through Utmost Capital, a Kingdom-focused investment firm. 

Carl and his wife Kimberly have been married for 24 years and live in Lake Country, Wisconsin. They have three adult children, Charlie, Ashley, and Blake, and a pomsky named Kiara. Outside of ministry, Carl enjoys sailing, skiing, golf, and tennis.