The Apostle to the Gentiles
He established and took care of several Churches (Christian communities) around the Mediterranean Sea. He trained "next generation" disciples to take care of those Churches so they would continue to grow in faith and numbers. His journey was filled with victories and trials. He remained focused, faithful, and fulfilled in his mission. His epistles/letters tell the stories of how the "early Church" grew. These are inspirations and instructions for us on how we can do the same in our community and parish.
This letter to the Corinthians gives us a glimpse of his forbearance and faithfulness. We know that he could go through all those trials only by the power of the Holy Spirit...and by his free will to do the will of God. We, too, can do the same.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28