During the pandemic, we learned many things from a group called Disciples Increase.

One of the most practical courses we took was called Encourage Them All. I want to share with you some of the things they taught and encourage you to try it with people you are working with. It is really working as we relate cross culturally with disciple makers.

First of all, we want to be an encourager like Barnabas.

We want to ask open ended questions that open the heart. We show we care by asking questions, like what are you doing this week to make disciples? Instead of yes or no questions.

We want to ask good questions and also listen well. We want to give our full attention.

We want to learn how to retell what we hear to make sure we understand the person.

Look around, look up and have faith for change.

We need to help them think of steps to move forward.

We need to help people complete the journey they are on.

Then we need to watch for signs of progress, help them stay on the path to the journey’s end and help with course correction.

We watched these short modules with illustrations and even jingles to learn to help us as we mentor and coach cross cultural workers in South Asia. This is a powerful one to keep in mind:

Ask, ask, ask, this is our task

Listening is caring, it is believing,

Hoping my questions unlock it,

I keep my advice in my pocket

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)” ~ Acts 4:36

So try these few simple steps the next time you call someone in the ministry to encourage them. Let them tell their story and put your story on hold in order to show them how much you care.