Daily Direction Reading PlanSample

According to one report, Brazil has 10,000 churches without leaders. Experts say that while 50% of the population of Africa is Christian, leaders to help believers grow are in short supply. In America, large churches easily find pastors, but small churches often are unable to find capable leaders. What Jesus said is still true: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few." In writing to the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul mentions two outstanding workers who helped him. One was Timothy. Here is how Paul characterized Timothy: "I have no one else who genuinely cares about your welfare. Others care for themselves; but like a son with his father, Timothy has served with me in preaching the Gospel." Paul's other faithful assistant was Epaphroditus. Here is how Paul described him: "He is a true brother, one who identifies himself with the cause of Christ. He is a co-worker; he toils for the Lord faithfully; and he is a fellow soldier—he helps to defend the faith." These two men were models of faithful workers. They were committed to spreading the Gospel and nurturing young believers in their faith. Paul was a mentor for them. Now they were using their abilities for the kingdom of God. As in Paul's day, so in our day, we need people who are zealous to help others, whether as pastors, youth workers, teachers, parents, or mentors.