The diaconate ministry has played a vital role in Baptist churches throughout history, providing leadership, service, and care to the congregation and the broader community. In our contemporary days the role of the diaconate ministry in any typical Baptist churches continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the church and society. The diaconate ministry in a Baptist church encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. Traditionally, deacons have been seen as servant leaders, responsible for carrying out acts of charity, assisting with the administration of the church, and providing pastoral care to church members (Acts 6: 3-4). This study introduces us to “BARNABAS” a graceful bible character and member of the early church, a very impactful icon, who pursued purpose, met needs nurtured faith and developed the potentials of others younger believers. Barnabas is an inspiring model whose decision, action and attitude caused several positive reactions and brought significant change to lives, and the impact remains with us 2000 years later. Deacons are called and ordained to the ministry of helping others pursue their God given purpose, this call is unto a steady faithfulness in using our (spiritual, natural) gifts (talent, time & treasures) for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. In this study we shall look at specific ways God used Barnabas to encourage others both in his words and actions, whether he was focusing on one person at a time or a group of people, we shall behold this servant of God: PURSUING PURPOSE, MEETING NEEDS, NURTURING FAITH and DEVELOPING POTENTIALS ### A. PURSUING PURPOSE (Act 4:36-37, I John 2:1-2, John 15:26-27, Heb 10:24, 1 Thess.5:11) We first meet Barnabas in Act of Apostle chapter 4, he was; A levite, from Cyprus, named Joseph, whom the Apostle called Barnabas (which means ‘Son’ of Encouragement). It is interesting to note that, after our sins were atoned for, and were reconcile back to God, we obtained both the seed of God, and the indwelling Holy Spirit (GkParaclete and a seal of ownership), one of the outworking of the Spirit received is that The Holy Spirit comes alongside and helps us share our new creation experiences with other people, this provokes in us the capacity to be an ENCOURAGER. The Holy Spirit work in us to; Console, Comfort, Compliment, Counsel, Correct, Convict, and Confronts, these are supernatural dealings of God’s grace in the life of someone who had yielded his/her life to follow Christ. Barnabas clearly recognized his Purpose (Being an encourager) and Pursued it in the body of Christ, (Matt 6:21 -as deacons you will only be mindful of men if you see them as TREASURE). How do you see men? What is the Purpose you are pursuing in your diaconate? Can men call you an encourager? ### B. MEETING NEEDS (Act 4:32-33a, Act 4:33b-35, Act 4:36-37, Prov 19:17, Col.3:12) These verses are such a beautiful account of God moving people to generosity. The Early church is composed of travelers who came in to celebrate a feast and were received by believers who opened their homes to both the new converts and the seekers from various background and cultures, they were meeting daily to learn more about Jesus, they shared all they had together, and cared for one another. Barnabas was singled out as an example, God worked through him to encourage other people to be generous too. He models the possibility of generous living among the believers by, recognizing a NEED and METTING it. We are blessed with grace to meet the needs in the church, and the most profound generosity is “Attention” to these needs which includes; Financial, Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual needs. You are accountable for what you have not given to God. Who in your life needs you to be a Barnabas right now? Read 2 Cor 9:6-7 (When you see a need, what is your immediate response? Have you given before without a right attitude? What motivated the early church to share so freely? ### C. NURTURING FAITH (Act 8:1-3; 9:3-6; 9:26; 9:27-30, Act 11:19-21, 22,23-24 Ps 32:1, Gal.3:28) Barnabas appears like the main character in the story we are studying, but it seems rare for him to make and headline or end up in the spotlight, usually those around him takes the lead while Barnabas seems delighted to play a supporting (but still significant) role. The Book of Act Chapter 5 through Chapter 7 are very exciting chapters as the early believers began to multiply, disciples were added to them and more local churches were established. But with these growth and progress comes opposition, a pattern repeated throughout these scriptures. Act 7 ends with the stoning of one of the church deacons (Dn Stephen), who refused to renounce his faith and his trust in Jesus Christ even to save his own life. And at the feet of a young man (Saul of Tarsus) the witnesses who stoned Dn Stephen to death kept their clothes (Act 7:58-60). As Chapter 8 begins we meet Saul (who was also called Paul), in chapter 9 we see the dramatic Conversion of Saul, who unconsciously had working against God’s plan, His encounter with Jesus brought him into the way of the cross, his sight was restored and the Disciples in Damascus (Syria) received and discipled him in so much that he increased in strength and proving that Jesus is Christ, with attempts on his life, the disciples helped him to escape at night (Act 9:19-25). He came to Jerusalem but the believers did not accept his conversion to be genuine. (Sadly, the bible counsel otherwise in Rom. 15:7, 1 Pet. 3:8, Rom. 12:10) Barnabas was however able to think clearly, he discerns the truth and being convinced that Saul was Trustworthy, “took him and brought him to the apostles. He recognized Faith in Saul and Nurtured it. Barnabas did not just do this to individuals, he did the same with the entire group (Act 11:19-22), he was a great choice for bringing the gospel to the gentiles and strengthening the church among the Greeks. The fingerprint of God was all over the place (vs23-24) when he came to them, Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and Faith. Why are we quick to Condemn others? Why do people find being compassionate difficult? Can you describe your Salvation story? ### D. DEVELOPING POTENTIALS (Act 11:25-26; 13:2-5; 15: 36-41, James 4:10, Ps 149:4, 2 Tim.4:11, Col 3:13) The Mission of the Church is to Reach, Win, Develop and Deploy Men as God’s instrument of Change across all stratum of influence in the society. Barnabas perfectly modelled this He recognized Potentials in Saul and Developed it (Act 11:25-26). Barnabas did not give up on Saul, he travelled to Tarsus, search for him, found him, he brought him to Antioch to help him lead the church of disciples that were first called “Christians” (little -visible Christ). After labouring together in Antioch for a year. The Holy Spirit stirred a fresh fire to spread the gospel more widely and he sent “Barnabas and Saul” on the first Missionary Journey, with John Mark the cousin of Barnabas (Col.4:10, Act 13:13) as their helper. . During the Two years journey, a subtle but unmistaken change took place in the description of the Team, gradually Luke began to refer to the them as “Paul/Saul and Barnabas. It may appear as no big deal, but overtime Saul/Paul begins to do more of the teaching (as he had been taught by Barnabas his disciple-maker). He took more of an up-front role than Barnabas, so his name is mentioned first. And sometimes scripture simply notes “Paul and His associates”. That is significant. Barnabas was not threatened, by the growing success and ministerial visibility that Paul/Saul now had. Similarly, Barnabas was not put off by the failure of John Mark (Act 15:36-38). As they were preparing for the Second Missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas had a major about the failure of John Mark, who deserted the team in Pamphylia and went home. Barnabas want to take John Mark along, but Paul did not. Can you imagine the intensity of that conversation? They decided to divide up, Paul took Silas, and Barnabas took John Mark. This may sound familiar; how many churches are currently going through conflicts? How many of such in our denominations have multiplied by division? At times what people meant for evil, God redeems the conflict and leverage it for kingdom growth and ultimately for His Glory. God however redeemed the relationship between Paul and John Mark, he later became profitable to Paul’s ministry (2 Tim 4:11). Just as Barnabas saw potential in Paul and nurtured it, he did the same with John Mark who had earlier made a poor choice and struggled in his walk. ### Conclusion: Dare to be A “BARNABAS” in our time. Globally we are at a critical season, with a lot of overwhelming conflicts, increasing needs, uncertainties, confusions, deceptions and widespread distractions. Many pilgrims are becoming more worried, wounded, wandering and weary, without true ENCOURAGEMENTS, there is a dearth of true SONS of consolation. This is a call to the diaconate to arise and dare to be the Barnabas of our time. Just think of what would be different if Barnabas had not recognized and embraced his God-ordained role. Without BARNABAS, how would the Same John Mark have written the Gospel according to St. Mark? How would Paul have become the greatest theologian, missionary and church planter in history? Would the New Testament have the thirteen books Paul wrote? That is 14 books out of 27 books in the New Testament, this means more that half of the New Testament were indirectly affected by Barnabas and his impact in the lives of those men. One more thing, without the Ministry of Barnabas, would the Gentiles have been welcomed as quickly and openly if he had not agreed to go to them first? Barnabas’ impact was amazing. As Deacons all of us can become a “BARNABAS” in someone’s life. I close with the refrain of the song written by Harper G. Smyth (1903) (Is your life a channel of blessing) Make me a channel of blessing, today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray; My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today. Let Us Pray!