Have you ever wondered about the stories behind nicknames? When we think about nicknames, we think about famous people or historical figures. Some of my favorite examples include Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson, who received his nickname for his ability to heat up on the offense and defense in basketball games. Then there’s “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, a Major League Baseball outfielder who earned his nickname after playing in his stockings due to blistered feet from new spikes. There are countless other stories of famous people and how they received their nicknames.

You can probably relate that you received a nickname that reflected an aspect of your personality or an experience you had. When I was in high school, I was part of a crew, and it was typical for everyone to have a nickname. Since I was still new to this group, my friends realized that I didn’t have a nickname and suggested that I come up with one for myself. I remember going home that night so excited that I could officially be part of this crew. I began thinking long and hard about a nickname that sounded intimidating and frightening. After a short time, I finally found the right nickname. The following week, I was excited to share it with my friends. The moment came, and a close friend asked, “OK, Andy, so what is your nickname?” I took a long pause to increase the anticipation, and I finally told them: “Hazard!” After a short pause, they broke into laughter. After they all stopped laughing, my friend said, “Your name shouldn’t be Hazard; it should be Harmless, because you wouldn’t harm a fly.” My friends had a point. It was a humorous reminder that nicknames should align with who we truly are.

There is someone in the Bible whose name spoke volumes about their character. In Acts 4:32-36, we are introduced to Joseph, who had the nickname Barnabas, which the Bible says means “Son of Encouragement.” Part of why he is given this nickname is his generous giving. In Acts 11:19-24, Barnabas encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Another example of why he was called Son of Encouragement is found in Acts 9:26-28, when Barnabas has a powerful encounter with Saul. When many of the disciples rejected Saul out of fear and unbelief in his conversion, Barnabas testified for him and encouraged him as a new believer.

As I reflect on Barnabas, I can’t help but think that everyone needs a Barnabas in their life and should be a Barnabas to others. By nurturing and supporting individuals like the Sauls of today, we pave the way for them to potentially transform into the Pauls who will significantly contribute to the church’s growth and mission tomorrow. What transformative outcomes might unfold if each of us embraced the role of encourager? How might such a commitment influence your personal spiritual journey? Consider the ripple effects: How might your church community be revitalized and enriched by a culture of encouragement today?

Encouragement is more than words or actions—it catalyzes change. As encouragers, we foster an environment where individuals feel valued, empowered, and capable of reaching their fullest potential. As 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) aptly reminds us, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”