By Pastor Barron Greenwalt
En-Joy Ministries
October 25, 2025

I’ve spent years walking alongside believers who are hungry for purpose—people grappling with how to lead faithfully in a world that’s shifting faster than ever. In my book, Deliberate Steps: A Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Revival, I unpack this in Chapter 2: “Living a God-Given Vision with Purpose and Accountability.” It’s a chapter born from my own commitment to integrity, where I challenge myself (and you) to lead only where I’ve already tread, echoing the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

But today, I want to zoom in on one thread that ties it all together: koinonia. This ancient Greek word, often translated as “fellowship,” isn’t just church coffee hour—it’s a divine lifeline. In a season where artificial intelligence blurs truth and deception, koinonia equips us to live out our God-given visions with clarity, accountability, and unshakeable love. Whether you’re a leader in your home, workplace, or community, this post is for you. Let’s explore how deep fellowship with God and others isn’t optional—it’s essential for thriving amid the noise.

The Heart of Koinonia: More Than Connection, It’s Communion

At En-Joy Ministries, we believe leadership starts with the heart. A God-given vision isn’t a solo endeavor; it’s woven into three vital relationships: our upward gaze to God, our sideways embrace of the church, and our outward reach to the lost. What holds these together? Koinonia—that profound, participatory bond described in Scripture as sharing life at its deepest levels.

Picture the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in eternal harmony. Koinonia invites us into that same intimacy. As I share in Deliberate Steps, Pastor Jack Hayford calls it the “cement” that binds believers to Jesus and each other, fostering vulnerability, growth, and mission. Vertically, it draws us to seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), walking in His light. Horizontally, it echoes the early church in Acts 2:42-47—devoted to teaching, shared meals, and prayer—turning diversity into unity (1 Corinthians 1:10). And toward the lost? It fuels compassionate boldness, as Jesus prayed in John 17:21, that our oneness would compel the world to believe.

In essence, koinonia demands agreement (Amos 3:3) and is powered by the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). It’s purified by Christ’s blood (Colossians 1:21), guarding against worldly drift (James 4:4) or fleshly fog (Romans 8:7). For me, as a pastor and small business owner, this fellowship isn’t abstract—it’s the daily rhythm that keeps my vision alive: honoring God and expanding influence through accountability, truth, and love.

Lessons from 1 John: Fellowship That Sharpens Discernment

The Apostle John doesn’t mince words about koinonia’s power. In 1 John 1:6-7, he warns: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” True fellowship with God means obedience—confessing sins (James 5:16), renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), and glorifying Him in every action (Colossians 3:17). It’s light over shadow, truth over pretense.

John ramps it up in 1 John 2:20-27, tackling false teachers and the antichrist’s sly deceptions: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth… As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you… His anointing teaches you about all things.” This Holy Spirit “anointing” isn’t a solo gift—it’s amplified in koinonia. Our deep ties with God and the body of Christ tune our spiritual ears, helping us “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and spot doctrinal wolves.

Why communal? Because isolation breeds vulnerability. As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “iron sharpens iron.” In fellowship, we confess, pray, and challenge one another, building a collective shield against error. At En-Joy Ministries, we’ve seen this transform lives—believers who once wrestled alone now stand firm, discerning God’s voice amid the chaos.

Truth in the Fog: Koinonia’s Role in the AI Era

Fast-forward to today, October 25, 2025. Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore—it’s scripting our feeds with deepfakes that mimic loved ones, algorithms that spin tailored lies, and voices echoing half-truths. In this digital haze, how do we know what’s real? How do we lead with influence that lasts?

Koinonia is God’s answer. AI can imitate, but it can’t anoint. Our vertical fellowship roots us in Scripture’s unchanging anchor—”the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). Horizontally, with the church, we become living lie detectors: gathered around the Table, not just screens, testing claims in love (Ephesians 4:15). As we reach the lost, this unity shines like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:16), drawing others from the shadows.

In Deliberate Steps, I outline core values like courage, credibility, and servanthood as practical outworkings of this vision. In the AI age, they become urgent: courage to unplug and connect face-to-face, credibility to speak unfiltered truth, servanthood to prioritize people over pixels. Koinonia isn’t nostalgic—it’s prophetic, our discernment engine for revival.

Your Next Step: Claim Your Vision, Cultivate Fellowship

Friends, God hasn’t left us adrift. He’s given each of us a vision—to honor Him, expand His kingdom, and walk in love. Mine, as shared in my book, is a daily covenant: accountable, truthful, loving. What’s yours? Jot it down. Share it with a trusted friend. Let koinonia be the soil where it grows.

At En-Joy Ministries, we’re all about joyful obedience—steps that revive hearts and communities. If this resonates, grab a copy of Deliberate Steps [link to book] to dive deeper, or join our next gathering to experience koinonia firsthand. Let’s lock arms, yield to the Spirit, and step boldly into what He’s called us to.

A Prayer for Discernment and Unity

Heavenly Father, thank You for koinonia, pulling us into Your eternal embrace through Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9). Anoint us with Your Spirit of truth, that we walk in light, obey Your commands, and pierce deception’s veil. Unite Your church against the antichrist’s whispers and AI’s illusions. Guide our visions, amplify our voices, and fill us with selfless love. In Jesus’ name, our Light and King, Amen.

What about you? How has fellowship shaped your discernment lately? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear and pray with you.

Pastor Barron Greenwalt leads En-Joy Ministries, equipping believers for faithful leadership and revival.

En-Joy Ministries cultivates the joy of the Lord as a source of spiritual strength, rooted in scripture. Your donation empowers our mission to make disciples through biblical teaching, community outreach, farm-fresh giving, and meals for those in need. Help us spread the gospel and nurture mature believers who live out their faith. Every gift supports our work to enrich lives with God’s love. Thank you for partnering with us!