1 Thessalonians 1:1 Thessalonica

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV]

This is Paul's first letter to the churches. It was written during his second missionary journey from Corinth, where he was accompanied by Silvanus (also known as Silas) and Timothy. Paul and his companions came to Thessalonica from Philippi, where Paul and Silas were jailed, and miraculously delivered.

Paul followed his usual pattern by going to the synagogue and taught from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Only a few of the Jews came to Christ, but a great many of the Gentiles became believers;

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. “Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. [Acts 17:5-10 NKJV]

A few months later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on their faith, and encourage them. Timothy was able to report back to Paul that the community of believers was thriving and growing. Encouraged by Timothy's report, Paul wrote this letter of encouragement.

Paul only spent three weeks in Thessalonica. That hardly seems like enough time to meet people, much less establish a thriving church.

In an ideal world, every person you influence for Christ will be established in a relationship with you, so that you can lead them to salvation, then mentor them to spiritual maturity.  Unfortunately, that is not always possible, in which case you need to trust in God. Paul said;

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; [Philippians 1:6 NKJV]

This is not an excuse to neglect one another. But you should be encouraged to know that God has a personal stake in every believer. Without Him, you can do nothing. And without you, God is still all powerful, and can do everything.

If you can be there to encourage a new believer, then by all means, do so. But if you can't, don't worry. God has their back.

Father, I thank You that You are in control. I know that You care about every person who comes to You. Please watch over the new believers who come to know You. Help them to become established in You, and to find fellowship with Your children.