One of the significant gifts a church leader can give their congregation is the ministry of encouragement to people in physical, emotional, personal and spiritual distress. We can learn the ministry of encouragement and the leadership characdter needed to engage this vital ministry by studying Luke’s portrayal of Barnabas in “The Acts of the Apostles.” The name ‘Barnabas’ comes from the Aramaic, and probably refers to the prophetic gift of exhortation. His real name was Joseph, but the disciples called him Mr. Encouragement (Acts 4:36). But what does ‘Barnabas’ mean to you and me as we engage in ministry? What do we find modeled in the life and ministry of Barnabas of Cyprus that will inform and inspire our pastoral care-giving?