Son and Daughter of Encouragement
Isabel, John and Mary
When (Paul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a
disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.
He told them how Paul on his journey had seen the
Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and
how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of
Jesus. So Paul stayed with them and moved about freely in
Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
(Acts 9:26-8)
Dear Friends,
The greatest gift in church are Sons and Daughters of Encouragement who empower others to exceed themselves. Many attribute the beginning of the world Christian movement to Apostle Paul. But it all began with a man whose name is the Son of Encouragement—Barnabus (Acts 4.36).
After God called Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles, everyone shunned this violent persecutor of Christians. None of the leaders believed him or believe in him. Except for Barnabas. Barnabus saw God’s purpose in Paul that others couldn’t see.
When others saw a murderer, Barnabas saw an apostle.
When others shunned Paul, Barnabus pursued Paul.
When others kept silent, Barnabus spoke up for Paul.
When others feared Paul, Barnabus feared the Lord.
In my own life, I was a 17-year-old who just got expelled from college. But an older lady, Lynn (I thought she was old but now I realize she was only early 30s!) took me under her wings and met with me weekly and sometimes daily for seven years. Sometimes we prayed. Sometimes we jogged. Sometimes we barbecued or had dinner together. She listened to my heart’s ramblings. She modelled leadership and opened opportunities for me to serve, lead, and teach.
Years later in Paul’s life, Barnabas did it again. Barnabus was the leading teacher equipping the church in the influential city of Antioch, while Paul (Saul) was living in obscurity in his hometown Tarsus, “personally unknown to the churches of Judea” (Gal.1:22). But Barnabas journeyed 150 miles by land and sea to Tarsus to find Paul and bring him to Antioch where “for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people” (Acts 11:25-6). In Antioch, Barnabus shared his influence and teaching platform with Paul. Barnabas empowered Paul to become the greater preacher, so that by their first missionary journey, Paul was called “the chief speaker” (Acts 14:12).
It was from this Antioch church that world missions began. It was from that moment that Paul planted churches and the Gospel spread throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Italy, Greece and into Europe. According to tradition, Paul wrote possibly 13-14 of the New Testament books.
Paul’s whole life was transformed because ONE man, Barnabas the Son of Encouragement, believed and invested in him, and brought him from obscurity to destiny. Changing the nations begins one person at a time. It takes just ONE Son or Daughter of Encouragement to empower one other man or woman.
Very few of us can change the world. But each of us can be a Son or Daughter of Encouragement who sees God’s purpose in one person. Who has been Barnabus in your life? Who are you Barnabus to? And who is your Paul? I would love to hear your story!
Blessings,
Mary Ho
Dr. Mary Ho, DSL
All Nations International, Inc. | International Executive Leader
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