Though my husband is retired from vocational ministry, we are still involved in ministry every day of our lives. Gaylon was a pastor for thirty-three years and a chaplain for eighteen years. It was never a position for him, never. Gaylon, as a pastor, loved the flock dearly. He cried when sitting with someone who cried. He loved those who seemed unloveable. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced.

One of the things that always stood out to me while Gaylon was a pastor, was his ability to love and forgive those who wounded him. I know all pastors have imperfections, but trust me when I tell you sheep bite, and often the bite goes deep.

My husband Gaylon is one of the finest, most godly men on the face of the earth and was a wonderful pastor. Though he pastored churches with several hundred in them, Gaylon also willingly pastored smaller churches when he felt it was the call of God.

Often, we think it is the guy with the huge church that is “the” great pastor. It is the pastor who is well-known or the one who has thousands following them on social media. Gaylon Benton would not fall into those categories, but he was one of the best pastors I have ever met. (This is being said by a woman who knows him very well!)

When Gaylon was pastor of a smaller church in Florida that had about a hundred people, we faced a rough time. The sheep bites were difficult. About ten percent of the people created a “task force” to stand up against Gaylon’s ministry. Some had been our very close friends. Without giving a lot of detail, suffice it to say they left the church and did so very vocally. It was both hurtful and discouraging.

A couple of days later, as we went to our scheduled Saturday night prayer meeting, we were at an incredibly low point. We were faithful to prayer during our personal pain.

Word had spread through the church about the group that left. As we got to the prayer meeting, to our surprise quite a few showed up to pray with us – people who did not regularly come. They wanted us to know that they were standing with us and praying for us.

Negative chatter continued for a while but so did the encouragement and prayers of those people. It was a breath of fresh air! Long story short – that church completely turned around over the next eighteen months numerically and financially.

One thing that kept us going was the encouragement from others.

Kindness in the little things can encourage folks who feel like they cannot take another step, or are walking in confusion, hurt, and pain. Your kindness and encouragement could very well release the power of the Holy Spirit into the life of someone ready to quit. Encouragement can give wind to the sails to help a pastor or someone else complete the mission to which they have been called.

Who can use your encouragement today? Your pastor? Your nephew? Your neighbor? You co-worker? Someone who recently lost a loved one? Your mayor? Everyone can be used by God to encourage another. Send a text. Send a card. Make a meal for someone. Invite for coffee or lunch someone who is struggling. Take time to encourage your leaders, friends, and family, especially if they are in a low place. You do not have to have all the answers. It is amazing what the ministry of encouragement can do.

The ministry of encouragement can be life changing. I know a pastor who got fresh wind in his sails, simply by those who encouraged him, and I know him well!

Galatians 6:10 ESV – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”