From my reading in Acts 15:22-41 in the One Year New Testament.
Developing ongoing missions partnerships is very strategic.
The ministry I lead (Challenge San Diego) has had a ministry partnership in East Asia for several years now. Because we go back every summer we are able to connect with those on the field and play an ongoing role in the ministry. We have also had three of our students go back for a year and two of those are there now for even longer!
Paul and Barnabas believed in staying connected to the places they started ministries.
They realized that after getting the churches started it would be important to come back and encourage the people and see how they were doing.
“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Acts 15:36
There is power in seeing people face to face.
By returning, Paul and Barnabas would encourage the fledgling churches in ways they could not otherwise. Unfortunately, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement went their separate ways. Still both of them still led teams to go encourage the churches.
By developing ongoing partnerships you can get the joy of seeing people’s progress in their faith. Also those you go visit gain great encouragement!
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