The Tour de Georgia rode through town yesterday, surrounded by cars, police officers, and ambulances. Each of these cyclists had a crew urging its rider on to victory. A similar thing happens in NASCAR. A team of drivers chooses one member to be its winner. They will help this driver by edging out other competitors and by lining up single file in front of their teammate’s bumper. This “drafting” offers the winning teammate less wind resistance and lessens the load on his engine.

            I seriously doubt that the church at Antioch considered Barnabas to be Paul’s drafter, but he certainly prepared the way for Paul to become the leading theologian and minister to the gentiles. Barnabas wasn’t always called Barnabas; his name was Joseph, but his friends and fellow church members saw a side of him that they wanted everyone else to see. So, they started calling him “the Encourager” or Barnabas. It’s easy to see how much Barnabas helped Paul (previously the persecutor of Christians, Saul). Saul probably needed someone to believe in him. Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. He found Saul and brought him to Antioch, where they met with the church for a whole year and taught many of its people. They needed each other to complete a difficult task. Barnabas helped introduce Paul into Christian congregations. In a way, he “vouched” for Paul.

            Do you know of someone who needs encouragement? Can you “vouch” for someone who may need some introductions into your congregation? Do you know someone who has great potential but needs mentoring? Don’t forget that you mentor the children you teach every week. They look to you as encourager, teacher, and mentor.

Karen Pennings is an editor of FaithSteps