These factors were of immense help to the Christian missionaries as they traveled throughout the Roman world preaching the gospel and planting churches. Though designated “an apostle to the Gentiles,” Paul’s heart was always with his own people. In every city he made his way first to the synagogue, where he found Jews and proselytes. Only when the Jews refused his message did he turn to the Gentiles. The organization of the Christian church was patterned largely after that of the Jewish synagogue.