1 Thessalonians 1:6-9

6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,