The benefit of proximity is to avail us opportunity to learn by observation, from those who are ahead of us.
In profession such as medicine and engineering, young professionals are trained in internship under experienced ones.
Training for ministry should be taken as much if not much more so as to make the most of it.
Unfortunately most people in ministry miss out from this great opportunity thinking they can make it anyhow.
Appollos, perhaps made that assumption until He came across Acquila and Priscilla. Act.18:24-28
It is therefore vital for the upcoming ministers to always take advantage of their closeness to any man of God to learn all they can in the process.