Nicknames fascinate me. Some are easily explained. Take ‘Jessy.’ It’s the one I was given when I was a history teacher. Readily understandable I suppose given my love of cowboy films and a famous gunslinger also named James.

‘Chopper’ (my first geography teacher) might seem a little more obtuse, but most people appreciate the connection when I tell them that his name was ‘Axeford.’ But ‘Black Death’ is in a different league altogether. This was the chilling nickname given to the deputy head in the grammar school I attended in Gwent. And I can see why given her diminutive stature, her all-enveloping academic gown, but above all her frighteningly intimidating presence. In fact, she scared her pupils to such an extent that they would not talk to each other even when she was out of the room ‘having a fag.’

There are lots of nicknames in the New Testament. Peter was known as the ‘Rock’ and Thomas was ‘Didymus’ (the Twin) for example. And James and John will always have to live with the fact that their explosive personalities earned them the title of ‘Sons of Thunder!’

My wife was asked to speak to a group of ladies near Haverfordwest last week and not surprisingly she chose to talk about her favourite Biblical character: Barnabas. And it got me thinking that I wouldn’t mind being nicknamed Barnabas, and for one simple reason: his name meant ‘Son of Encouragement.’

‘Encouragement’ it’s been said is like ‘oxygen to the soul.’ As we all know, encouraging words and encouraging actions can shape a culture and have an impact way beyond our expectations.

I realised this again while listening to the Farming Today programme on BBC Radio 4 last week which focused on health and social care provision in rural communities. And I have to say, I found it so encouraging.

I learned for example, that in the Shropshire village of Prees, a local businessman has stepped forward and funded a state-of-the-art medical centre, as well as building eight bungalows for the over 75s.

And then I was introduced to the work of Grass Routes, a community volunteer transport scheme based in South East Wales. It was so uplifting to hear the interviewer Emily Hughes talking to a man who has been giving lots of his spare time over the past 14 years helping people travel to hospital at a time that was convenient to them and not the bus company.

But perhaps the most moving moment came when I listened to Pembrokeshire-based Emma Picton-Jones whose husband Daniel committed suicide last summer. Tragically, it seems, just less than one farmer a week kills himself and Emma has decided to honour Daniel’s memory by setting up the DPJ charity which aims to break the stigma of mental health and support young men in rural communities.

All of this was a useful reminder that we can encourage each other in so many ways. Barnabas for example was a generous, caring man who gave of his financial resources and was willing to risk his friendships by caring for others. In the same way, the three stories I listened to on Farming Today showed me that we can encourage others using our money, by giving them our time or even by turning our tragedies to good use.

And it prompted me to ask myself again how I could be an encourager this week. For I can be sure of one thing: I will never be nicknamed Barnabas unless I do something to earn it.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]