The Call of Barnabas – Son of Encouragement

Barnabas was a true servant leader. Barnabas was first a giver. He believed that his personal mission was for the good of the church.

Mentoring is an essential leadership function. Men and women who are discerning enough to spot young people with potential and confident enough to assist them with visibility and exposure are fulfilling a key leadership role. Barnabas was one of those leaders. His real name was Joseph, but he was known by his nickname, Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Several episodes in the book of Acts describe how he earned this name and this reputation.

First, Barnabas sponsored Paul at a time when everyone else suspected and rejected him. This is one of the great mentoring stories of all time.

They avoided Paul like the plague he had been. Paul was only introduced to the church because “Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles” (v. 27).

Later Barnabas moved to Antioch. When he arrived, he “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” (11:23). As the result of his contagious witness, many people came to believe. And when the work became too much for one man, Barnabas brought Paul back to Antioch. We can only imagine the mutual growth that occurred as these two great leaders worked together.

I trust this gives you some idea of how our mandate includes winning souls, mentoring others and giving of yourself for the church to be enhanced and grow.