We are used to thinking that Paul the Apostle was a great spiritual leader. But he had to start his ministry somewhere. He had not spent almost three years watching and helping Jesus, like the other apostles. Paul's theological education was through Jesus' personal tuition (Galatians 1:15-17) but he needed the practical experience. So Barnabas was his tutor for the beginning of Paul's 'training mission' (expressed by 'Barnabas and Saul' in Acts 12:25, 13:2, 13:7). It is not until Acts 13:9 that 'Saul' was known as 'Paul', after which he took the spiritual headship.

Barnabas had been brought up in Cyprus and took Saul there for this 'training' mission. It was a short sea journey from Seleucia (the port for Antioch) and Barnabas knew his way around the island. John Mark was his nephew, who was asked to go with them as a helper. Although Mark proved he was not gifted to be an itinerant preaching evangelist, he developed a big heart for the Gentiles and later wrote his gospel for them. Despite his ministry failure (Acts 15:37-38), Mark was not useless: he helped the apostle, even though it was not his primary ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

They kept on the move; speaking about Jesus. Along the way they met spiritual opposition from a religious occultist: yet the Lord was in that encounter. His master was the governor of the island. When he heard about the missionaries, he ordered them to tell him about Jesus, because God had made his heart hungry to receive God's Word. Paul was strategic: he gladly preached to everybody, but was determined to ensure that leaders in society should be converted. They would also become the church leaders and make it easier for the churches to grow (1 Timothy 2:1-7).

This chapter establishes some important principles for cross-cultural mission. Firstly it involves moving! Church leaders should be praying about their people and asking the Lord who should be sent out (Acts 13:1-3), rather than waiting for eager volunteers. Ministry skills are best gained while working with somebody more experienced. Even if a particular ministry does not seem ideal for somebody, being put into that situation will help them understand the role of others in team ministry, and the importance of just being a helper. Don't be afraid of short-term or mobile ministry, or of spiritual opposition: it is good training. And have a strategy to establish Christian leaders – usually they will already be leaders in some context. And if you do not see yourself as a minister or missionary, ask the Lord how He wants you to serve Him.