"Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message to Jews only.

But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord."

(Acts 11.19-24 GNB)

The first known congregation of Gentile believers was in Antioch, which were started by believers who were from Cyprus and Cyrene. And the Jerusalem congregation sent Barnabas, a Levite who was from Cyprus, to Antioch to help the new congregation.

Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and faith, but I would like to think that his shared background with some of the founders as one from Cyprus (and possibly some of the new believers were also from Cyprus) helped his ministry.

God calls his people to serve wherever he sends. At times he sends us to where we have no prior knowledge. And other times he sends us to where our past can help us relate with the people we minister. He knows what is good and he sends accordingly.