2 Timothy 4:17
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Paul is THE great apostle and preacher. He was a convert, going from persecutor to proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Paul was probably more educated than most in his time, outspoken against the Christians sect at first, but after encounters with the Lord and other witnesses to Christ, was converted. With passion and zeal, he became an outspoken leader in the church. He used his gifts and talents to change hearts and lives. It's hard for us to imagine being like Paul in today's world. There's plenty of persecution to go around, and one hardly has the courage to admit that you are a Christian in some circles. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, exhorts us by giving us the strength and courage to proclaim the word. The mission of our diocese is to Courageously Live the Gospel. Paul did this in the face of persecution and death in the end. You probably will not face death if you use "christianese" to your friends and aquaintences, but some may look at you strangely if you do. Others however may just follow you. Those might be the lost sheep. If you are up to the challenge to courageously proclaim the Gospel, to invite others and to encounter Him fully, then you will know, like Paul, that the Lord will stand by you and give you strength.
