God keeps on moving His people: wherever they go, the gospel goes. It is truly international. So is the church. These few verses summarise the first part of Paul's return journey from Corinth back to Jerusalem. After the winter storms, Paul had intended to travel by ship from Corinth (via the southern port of Cenchrea) to Seleucia (the port for Antioch). But just as the boat was about to leave, he received a message that religious plotters intended to attack him on his arrival. So instead he decided to go overland on the Roman military eastern coastal road to Philippi.

Yet another episode of opposition became new opportunity for Paul to revisit the churches in Berea, Thessalonica and Philippi; and to grow his team of trusted co-workers. Paul's plan was to arrive in Jerusalem by the feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Although He was Christ's apostle to the Gentiles, Paul loved the Jews and wanted to help them to trust in Jesus (Romans 10:1). Perhaps he thought that Pentecost was the opportunity to lead Israel to their Messiah (Christ).

The team needed to be international because Pentecost attracted thousands of Jewish people from thousands of miles away. Also, they were probably carrying a lot of money from the humanitarian gifts intended for the Jerusalem church, which was under pressure (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The team were all seasoned missionaries: Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secondus from Thessalonica would have experienced persecution as their churches were formed (Acts 17:5-9; 13). Aristarchus and Gaius were seized in Ephesus as part of the riot (Acts 19:29), and Trophimus was an Ephesian who had seen it all. Timothy and Tychicus helped Paul disciple various churches through difficult situations. They were a strong, well prepared team. Some went ahead of Paul: others, including Luke, travelled with the Apostle.

Jesus had a team of disciples (Luke 10:1-3), and He still works through teams of people – all different in background, temperament and spiritual gifting (1 Corinthians 12:7-12). It is the way Christ works – through His Body, the church. Only very rarely does the Lord send someone alone. So we should ask the question, "What team does the Lord want me the serve with?" Ministry teams will change over time, as Paul's did; but that remixing of people and spiritual gifts is the Lord's way of sharpening the ministry to meet the next challenge. Everybody will be different, Christ's teams are not clones; but He will use the diverse team provided that everybody is focussed on serving Him, and not themselves or each other. At work, pray that the Lord will lead you to another believer: encourage each other in Christ, pray for each other and for your workplace - that He may use you as gospel ministers. In the church, be willing to be a team player.