Paul knew exactly where he had to go (Acts 16:9-10).  The Lord had told him!  The destination was Macedonia; and the nearest entry point from Troas was Neapolis.  It was only a short journey by sailing ship, but rocky islands made the journey hazardous at night.  So, the apostolic team sailed to the harbour in Samothrace before sundown, travelling on to Neapolis the next morning.

The big city near there was Philippi; a leading city of culture and trade as well as military muscle.  The city was a proud Roman colony based on prosperity and power.  In many ways it had been secularised, apparently having no Jewish synagogue.  The Jewish community there must have been small because a minimum of ten Jewish men were needed to establish a place of worship.  

This was a challenge to Paul's previous ministry method of starting his ministry in a synagogue.  In Philippi, Paul discovered that on the Sabbath, God-fearing people met together by a river to pray.  There, Paul found several women who were open to hearing about Jesus.

Most people like routines, and often manage projects in the same way that proved successful last time.  But gospel ministry demands a flexibility to adapt the unchanging truths to the changing times and people.  We cannot be gospel people and remain chained to a ministry method; however helpful it may have been elsewhere.  We must be ready for the unexpected, and be more aware about the people we serve, than impose a particular style or method of serving them.  Travelling with God means that He leads and we follow.  He will put us in unexpected situations so that we must rely on Him and let Him lead.