“God raises up some people, and puts them in key roles where you may never know who they are. But, they play such a significant role in supporting, encouraging, and caring for other people.”-Matt Williams

Influence is the culminating result of building character in the first part of life and subsequently gaining credibility. Barnabas,an example of this progression, spent his life influencing in the background. As a testament to the character growth he had experienced in Christ early in his life, he sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles, he logged some serious time with a former persecutor of Christians and years following and suffering alongside Paul on his missional journey. Because of this, he developed credibility among the apostles. His opinion was trusted, and he was sought after for encouragement, guidance, and discernment. As he continued to encourage in the shadow of those in the spotlight, his influence on the first church and its impact deepened.