Wednesday, June 9

The Leonards decided that Amanda could visit grandma who lives in Dade City, on our way to Lakeland. We left there about 9:00 am. Sara and Amanda played games, slept and had a good time there in the back seat. Georgia is a l-o-n-g state. We arrived at grandma's house about 6:15 pm and the four of us went to the Temple Baptist Church for the evening service. Pastor's wife and Roxanne are good friends. We were greeted by several friendly people, some of whom knew or worked with BIMI missionaries.
 

Pastor's message that night was on Barnabas starting in Acts 12. He sold everything he had and laid it at the apostles' feet. We all know how Paul was the first missionary to the gentiles, but it was Barnabas who nurtured him along at the beginning. It was also Barnabas who nurtured his nephew John Mark. When Peter was in prison, the church met at John Mark's home and prayed for Peter's release. When Peter shows up knocking at the door, everyone was surprised, and this probably had a positive impact on John Mark. We find later that when John Mark saw Paul and Barnabas casting out demons in chapter 15, it probably scared him so he went back home. Paul did not want Mark to accompany him on the next missionary trip although Barnabas did. It was here that two missionary teams were formed, Paul and Silas and Barnabas and Mark.

 
Barnabas means "son of consolation" and he was a nurturer, encourager and his ministry was to help people along in their Christian life. We find that in 2 Timothy 4, Paul said John Mark was profitable to the ministry. Barnabas helped bridge the rift between them. Mark was not a perfect servant, but became a much better one under the influence of Barnabas.