Romans 1:11-13

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you -- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.   I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 

Paul shares two reasons he was intent on visiting the church in Rome:

Reason #1:
"that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you." Paul wanted to visit Rome and help them grow spiritually, especially in their faith "that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." and he fully expects to be encouraged by their faith, which he has already heard great things about.

Hebrews 10:24,25 commands us "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  We must take advantage of the opportunity to meet together as the Body of Christ, whether it be church, a bible study, a small group or potluck, or any time spent among fellow believers. This is not solely for our benefit, but just as importantly that we could be used by God to lift up and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Satan is most effective when he is able to separate a child of God from the body of believers, and attack that child while they are alone. It is crucial that we build relationships with other believers, that we build a network that reaches beyond our local church, that is not limited by denominations or personal preferences, so that we can all be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Reason #2:
"in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles." I believe that here Paul is speaking of spreading the gospel in Rome, and watching God bring new converts to Himself. This is our calling, and should be our objective no matter where we go. The only reason God leaves us on this earth once we have been saved is so that we can be used by Him to  further His kingdom, which is ultimately for His glory.

If we could ever truly wrap our minds around this, we could begin to see our every day life from a different perspective. The world around us becomes our mission field, and are able to focus more on being used by God rather than living for ourselves. -

Jesus tells us in Luke 10:2 "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - this is our mission, and we are to pray earnestly about it, we are called to be used of God to reap a harvest of new converts that will bring glory to our God Almighty!