Quite a while back I was asked to work with multiple denominational groups in Germany on a church leadership initiative they wanted to put together. I told them I’d do it as long as Christoph would work with me. Christoph was a young emerging German leader. They didn’t want to do that, but I felt strongly that he’d be a good fit for providing coaching and follow through. I essentially said, “If you want me, you have to have him.” So they did.

For two years, each time I went there it was, “Bob and Christoph.” Then after that, it was suddenly, “Christoph and Bob.” I think I felt the joy then that Barnabas felt when things when from “Barnabas and Paul” to “Paul and Barnabas.” It wasn’t a demotion. It was probably one of the best days of Barnabas’ life. Another of Barnabas’ legacies: In the last days of Paul’s life, he wrote to “send John Mark because he is valuable to me.” John Mark’s potential for service to the Lord was borne out after all.