21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. Acts 14:21-25

The life of an itinerant preacher even when the Church was so young was not easy. The preachers couldn’t establish roots anywhere because there were just so many towns to visit. The places they visited couldn’t benefit from long term relationships because the preachers were gone the next day. Later in the book we’ll see how they were able to maintain their long distance relationships.

There are still parts of the world where the Church still has itinerant preachers who travel from village to village preaching and teaching. Many nations in Africa still employ this method as does India.

Pray for these two areas of the world as these preachers spend themselves for the Gospel of Christ. Their job is thankless and lonely. Temptations are real. Pray that the Gospel will be preached boldly with each village they enter. Pray also for any family they leave behind. It’s not easy on them either.