Teams are important in God's work.  But they need to be led strategically under God's authority.  That was Paul's job.  Yes, he was an apostle, an evangelist, a pastor and a trainer, but he was also a passionate, dedicated and God-appointed team leader.  And he rarely worked alone.  With Silas, Paul had brought the gospel to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9).  Later, Timothy had also taught how the new converts were to grow in their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3).  It was teamwork.  The gospel was their reason to be there, working together despite the persecution it stirred up.
 
Writing from Corinth, Paul wanted to encourage the new believers in Thessalonica, a busy seaport on the Thermic Gulf of the Aegean Sea.  Already, some Jews and many God-fearing Gentiles, including influential women in the city, had put their faith in Jesus (Acts 17:4) .  These new-born believers now had a privileged and important role to grow into within God’s family.  They were the new local gospel team learning to grow together in their knowledge and love of Jesus, and to work together - telling others about Him.  And so, Paul, Silas and Timothy encouraged them by affirming that God was pleased with them - His peace would be in their hearts, and His grace would sustain them through times of trouble.
 
The apostolic team had moved on, but the Thessalonian believers were not alone.  They had been taught and encouraged by Paul’s team, but when they put their trust in Jesus, they became part of God's gospel team.  The Father and the Son had made their home with them (John 14:23), and the Holy Spirit had been at work within them (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6).  Paul and his team had the responsibility to plant many new churches and start the work of bringing them to maturity.  But the new local team in Thessalonica needed to rest in God’s peace and announce the gospel locally through His grace.
 
If you are in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ - then you are in His gospel team.  You cannot be a solo player.  Your vertical relationship with the Lord should be matched by a horizontal relationship with other believers.  Wherever you are - find them, get to know them, pray with them and work with them in proclaiming the gospel.  When you move, you may have support from your church team, or those who pray for you back home; but the Lord is forming a local team wherever you are.  Become a part of it, grow in it and serve with the people who know Jesus where you work or study.  And then send back a report to the teams who have supported you, and ask them how you can pray for them too (Acts 14:21-22).