Christians often speak of the missionary journeys of Paul as if he worked alone. Paul is a towering figure in the New Testament-an apostle who worked tirelessly for the Jesus who called him, and it is hard to overestimate his impact on the church throughout the ages.
But Paul did not work alone.
He had many helpers whom he called coworkers, partners, brothers, sisters, and sons. Why did Paul need help? Because it was the Spirit guiding his mission-the same Spirit who gives various gifts to all disciples so they might bless others. These helpers multiplied Paul's mission, going to places he could not go. Their diverse backgrounds and personalities equipped them to cross cultural boundaries and even opened doors Paul himself could not enter.
Workers in the Kingdom: Barnabas and Other Friends of Paul introduces the often-overlooked men and women who labored beside the apostle. Across thirteen chapters, Gary Holloway explores Barnabas the generous encourager and champion; Silas the missionary and writer; Timothy, Paul's best friend; Luke the storyteller; Titus the troubleshooter; the women who partnered in the gospel; and a host of unsung heroes-drawing out both their stories and the lessons their lives still teach.
This is more than biography. Each chapter moves from careful attention to Scripture toward honest, practical reflection, with questions that invite readers to apply what they discover. As we study the service of these friends of Paul and servants of Jesus, we learn a model of collaborative leadership that grows healthy churches and proclaims the Good News to the world.
In an age enamored with solitary success, Workers in the Kingdom is a timely reminder that God's mission has always advanced through humble, Spirit-empowered partnership. Above all, by reflecting on these coworkers, the Spirit will draw you into the kingdom work He has planned for you.
Ideal for personal study, small groups, and church classes.
About the Author:
Gary Holloway holds a Ph.D. from Emory University and has spent his life immersed in Scripture, the church, and the wider world. For years he taught theology and spirituality at the undergraduate and seminary levels while also preaching at local congregations, helping students and church members alike go deeper in their walk with God.
For ten years he led a global ecumenical ministry that took him to more than forty countries, giving him a firsthand view of what God is doing among his people across cultures. That global vantage point-along with a lifetime of teaching-shapes his conviction that the mission of Jesus has always advanced through diverse, collaborative partnerships, not solitary heroes.
Today Gary spends most of his time reading and writing books that make Scripture accessible and applicable for everyday disciples. In Workers in the Kingdom, he turns to Barnabas and the other coworkers of Paul.
