Epaphras

The Gentile Christian preacher Epaphras is regarded as ( co-) founder of the early Christian community in Colossae, which are addressed by the written by Paul to the Colossians. Paul, whom he visited during his imprisonment in Rome and provided information on community life in Kollosai, calls him a " beloved fellow servant " and " faithful servant of Christ" (Col 1.7 in the NKJV translation ).