We often picture the establishment and outward movement of the early church as the work of a wise and motivated core of early disciples – setting both a foundation for the institution of the church as well as envisioning a strategy to expand its boundaries. But the actual record of these first years tells a very different story – a story of newly-minted leaders constantly shocked by the movement of the Holy Spirit before them! The first Apostles did not lead the church, they were instructed to follow the Spirit into realms and peoples and circumstances they never anticipated, discovering as they went, that the divine plan of redemption extended far more broadly and far more compassionately then they ever imagined.