In the New Testament, there is an account of the Apostle Paul going on a mission trip with his colleague by the name of Joseph. If you’re familiar with the New Testament and that name doesn’t sound familiar, there’s good reason. It’s because Joseph went by a nickname. He was called “Barnabas” which in Hebrew meant “son of encouragement.”

Joseph was definitely that. His encouragement was seen in his desire to have his young cousin tag along on the trip. John Mark was grateful for the opportunity but (as the Scriptures indicate) was prone to homesickness. As it turned out, young John Mark ended up bailing out on Paul and Barnabas. It wasn’t a happy scene. But his caring cousin continued to advocate for him when Paul planned their next trip.

When you feel all alone and on your own, you need a Barnabas. I sure did! In fact, I needed two “sons of encouragement.” Nineteen years ago our family moved from the Midwest to Mercer Island. I was excited about my new call to be lead pastor at the local Covenant church. But I was also feeling homesick for a town in the suburbs of Chicago our family dearly loved.

As we were settling into life on Mercer Island, two individuals sought me out and introduced themselves to me. Dale Sewall was the senior minister at the local Presbyterian church and Paul Fauske was the pastor of the local Lutheran church. As longtime leaders in our community, they were much in demand. Their schedules were full. But they made time for me.

Over coffee at St. Arbucks they reflected on what it was like when they moved to Mercer Island. They took the time to introduce me to other people of influence in town. They drew me in and treated me like their little brother.

As I contemplate what these two colleagues did for me as I began my ministry in our community, I see a universal Biblical principle at play. In the creation story as recorded in Genesis we find the Creator going on record to say it is not good for the human he created to be alone. And so the Almighty created a companion with whom the man could share life. That was the first indication that isolated lives are detrimental to God’s intention for humanity.

By the time we get to the New Testament we discover the principle of community is a cherished value. There is a rabbi named Jesus who identifies a dozen disciples with whom to spend time and in whom to invest his teachings. What is more Jesus surrounds himself with an inner circle of three close friends. And when this popular rabbi sends out his disciples to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those in various villages, he sends them out two-by-two.

I’m guessing Jesus took his cue from wise King Solomon who lived a thousand years before a three wisemen from the East (or however many there were) traveled to Bethlehem with gold, frankincense and myrrh to celebrate his birth.

In one of my favorite Biblical passages dealing with companionship, Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

A Scandinavian proverb celebrates a similar theme: “A shared joy is a doubled joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”

Although Paul Fauske, Dale Sewall and I have all retired from active ministry, there is a bond of friendship that remains. We celebrated that bond not long ago over Mexican food in Factoria. As we dipped our tortilla chips into the common bowl of salsa, I couldn’t help but smile. Their gift of encouragement nineteen years ago is a gift that keeps on giving.

Guest columnist Greg Asimakoupoulos is a former chaplain at Covenant Living at the Shores in Mercer Island.