I will never forget an incident that occurred some years ago. I was hiking in the Austrian Alps with some friends, and the goal was to get to the top of one of the mountain peaks. That meant 3 ½ hours climb, including negotiating quite narrow ledges with an awesome drop over the side. I made sure I had a good hold of the chain that was the handrail fixed into the vertical rock wall!
We had several stops along the way, to top up on water, and to rest tired leg muscles. The last of them was not too far from the summit. At that point, one of my friends sitting next to me confided that he had nothing left to make it to the top, and he would just stay there and meet us on the way back. After 3 hours or so, it seemed to me that it would be a real shame if he gave up now. And it certainly would not do wonders for his self-esteem, which was rather fragile at that time, anyway.
So I took time to encourage him while we were sitting there together and tell him I was sure he could make it. I would help him where he needed it. So he bucked up, and at the right time to move on, picked up his things and started again on the trail to the summit. He made it! And he was thrilled, not only with the view from the top, but also that he had made it to the top. He has never forgotten that incident, either, and in the years since, has reminded me of the powerful influence of encouragement as he has told that story to others in my hearing.
It’s the same with Growing Deep and Strong. New Christians are starting on a discipleship journey together with their coaches. As we all know, life is not always rosy, and kingdom of darkness tries as much as possible to discourage these new Christians on their journey. One of the most powerful weapons the Devil uses is discouragement. That is why encouragement is so important in the journey of discipleship. Coaches have an incredible influence on their disciples, as we call them, and fellow Christians have a powerful influence on each other through the ministry of encouragement.
In the Bible, in the book of Acts, we meet such a man. His name is Barnabas, which literally means Son of Encouragement, or, Consolation. He took a new Christian, Saul, under his wing, encouraged him to grow as a Christian, and also introduced him to the rest of the apostles in Jerusalem. I am sure that the apostles initially were very wary of a man who was well known as the most zealous persecutor of the Jesus’ disciples. Barnabas probably told the disciples that he believed in Saul, and knew that he was a changed man, because of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. 
Things became too hot in Jerusalem for Saul, or Paul, as he was later known, and he had to get out and return to his home town of Tarsus, far away. And there he stayed in anonymity for years, until Barnabas came looking for him to help him in the city of Antioch, where God was doing great things among the disciples. By the way, it was in this city that the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians, not a title of respect by any means!
What an incredible ministry Barnabas had! His ministry of encouragement was instrumental in motivating and shaping the greatest apostle the world has ever known.
The coaches in a small group who are walking through Growing Deep and Strong together, have just the same sort of ministry that Barnabas had. Who knows what God will do with new Christians as they grow and mature through the Growing Deep and Strong Series, and through the encouragement of their coaches? 
That example is a powerful influence in the lives of New Christians, and in time they can use the same ministry reach out effectively with the Gospel to those they know who are not believers and then encourage them in the same way. We at Growing Deep and Strong have the desire to be an encouragement to group leaders and coaches as we are able. You can get in touch directly with us, if you have any issues that you need help with. Email us on gdasinfo@jesuschrist.com.au or write or phone for any help you need. If you need help with conducting an Encounter Weekend, we are more than happy to help. All the contact details are on the website, http://www.jesuschrist.com.au/ as well as in the Manuals.
Your ministry may be that of Barnabas, being an encouragement to another Christian with whom you are walking the path of discipleship. Remember, it is one of the most powerful ministries you can have!
David W Searle
Co-author of Growing Deep and Strong Series