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Several years ago, well-known preacher Fred Craddock presented a memorable sermon based on Romans 16. Like many of the closing chapters of the New Testament letters, this chapter is often neglected because it contains a long list of names- individuals that the apostle Paul wanted to recognize and inquire about within the church in Rome.

Paul’s comments found here are markedly different from the deep, theological content of the early letter- almost as if Paul has offered his letter as a sermon and then added these thoughts like we might offer congregational announcements or a prayer list. Craddock wisely notes that we often miss out in failing to pay closer attention to these names- these are the very men and women that Paul, and the Holy Spirit through his words, wanted to acknowledge and bring to the reader’s attention. It’s not just a list to be skimmed over- it is the recognition of otherwise unknown Christians who are our spiritual ancestors in the faith.

If asked to name individuals who influenced your faith, who would be on your list?

For most of us, it would not be primarily well-known evangelists, successful celebrity pastors, or famous missionaries. Instead, our mind’s eye would turn back to the people that first taught us the good news about Jesus and the individuals who have demonstrated faithfulness through the tough times and trials of life. On my list, I would place my parents and grandparents who provided living examples and sources of constant encouragement to me.

Beyond my family, I would think about Larry, an elder in the congregation where I grew up. Larry ran an auto parts store during the week and served as an active Sunday School teacher in our local church. Larry later began preaching full-time for a smaller church in our community and continues to give his retirement years to volunteer work and raising funds for Christian summer camps.

A little later in my youth, a new school teacher who had moved to our community began to serve as a part-time youth minister in our church. Bobby became a life-long friend first by taking me to youth events and then encouraging me to use my gifts in church settings. Two decades after those days in the youth group, Bobby officiated our wedding ceremony- a youth minister who became a fellow preacher, peer, and dear friend.

I think about the women of our community who shaped by life through their faithful servant hearts and godly examples. Women like Johnnie Bell, Jermie, Peggy, Annette, Loretta, Nancy, Gwen, Betty, the three Louise(s), and others who through my childhood and early ministry encouraged and prayed for me. My list includes my college roommate Brandon who died young, but left a lasting influence of faith on each life he touched.

None of these people will be remembered for founding a Christian college, taking the gospel into dangerous foreign fields, or leading revivals that saw thousands come to Christ, but each one made a lasting difference in my walk with Christ. Whatever difference I make in ministry stands upon the support and encouragement of such people. Anyone I might influence who then in turn will influence others can know that the  stream of service we stand in spans back through generations to the earliest disciples.

I hope the next time we are reading Scripture and run across names like Amplias, Epaenetus, or Urbanus, we will not skip over them as just unpronounceable names, but instead will remember that God’s Word and God’s story is full of people we will never meet who changed the world by being faithful to Christ right where they were.