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I was only watching, but I could feel the emotion between these friends as they embraced.

This moment was the culmination of years of leadership, guidance, love, and direction. This was the result of one man pouring his life into another.

This was discipleship.

The story of their close relationship played through my mind as I watched this special moment unfold.

Valmori worked for a radio station. It was a great job for him. His personality, charisma, and infectious laugh made him a natural on the air. And when Rigoberto met him, he knew how God could use this young man.

A friendship formed through years of discipleship, and when you saw them together, it was like watching a father and son. When I met these two men, I could see that relationship, but I felt it even more. There was a deep love and respect between them that I witnessed as Valmori translated for Rigoberto.

Rigoberto had brought Valmori into the church at Montelimar. He loved, taught, and encouraged him as a father would a son. Soon, Valmori felt the call to become a pastor, and he, too, surrendered to the ministry. An idea began to take shape in their hearts and minds, and a mission began in the town of Usulután.

And in this moment, the mission was officially a church.

Seeing the pride and admiration on Rigoberto’s face for Valmori was beautiful. Because Valmori wasn’t just his friend. He was his son in the faith.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 Timothy 1:1–2

Timothy was Paul’s disciple. This young man had been taught by his mother and grandmother about the truth of Jesus. And then Paul took him under his wing and became his protégé.

His disciple.

His son in the faith.

As I begin this new book this morning, I can imagine Paul writing to Timothy. But the images that come to mind are the faces of Rigoberto and Valmori.

As followers of Christ, we’re all called to make disciples. To instruct, to teach, to guide, and to encourage them in the Scriptures and in how to follow Jesus.

And to teach others to do the same.

So, who is your Timothy?

Who is your Valmori?