Ambassador for Christ: Bringing Hope and Compassion to The World?
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul calls a believer to serve as an “ambassador for Christ,” a powerful commission to represent God’s love, compassion and transformative message. Yet, being an ambassador for Christ extends beyond just words; it’s a ministry of action that calls us to embody His love in every interaction and meet people’s needs where they are. Around the world, national missionaries trained and sent out by GFA World have dedicated themselves to demonstrating Christ’s compassion in areas that often lack even basic necessities. Their work highlights how much God cares for people and respects the unique cultural contexts where they serve.
Pastor Talon is a great example of a GFA missionary working in community. His journey with his neighbors took a transformative turn when his ministry installed three Jesus Wells in the area, offering clean water freely to everyone, despite his past mistreatment by some locals. This act of generosity softened opposition, drawing support and reshaping his relationship with the community. Pastor Talon’s marriage to Kadri, a devoted local believer, further cemented his bond with the people. When devastating floods hit the region, nearby GFA pastors responded by bringing essential supplies, earning deep respect and gratitude. Kadri now leads the Women’s Fellowship, encouraging spiritual growth and teaching practical skills, like sewing, to aid impoverished families. Together, this couple are working as ambassadors for Christ in a neighborhood that needs to see and feel His love.[1]
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? One way to serve as Christ’s ambassador is to sponsor an impoverished child. Through our child sponsorship program, thousands of children have access to education assistance, hygiene resources and nutritious food, which completely transform their lives. This focus on physical, mental and economic upliftment is essential to providing hope and dignity to those facing hardships.
Saelig worked as a daily laborer to support his family, but his income was insufficient to cover school supplies or tutoring for his son, Sven. One day, staff from our child sponsorship program visited and offered to enroll Sven, providing the educational support he needed. When Sven joined the program, he arrived in dirty clothes, a visible sign of his family’s poverty. The program provided him with essentials like soap, school supplies and uniforms, as well as tutoring. With the staff’s guidance, Sven developed into a top student, excelling in all subjects.[2]
As ambassadors, national missionaries also seek to meet people’s spiritual needs, but this calling is approached with discernment and care. Their aim is to represent God’s love without imposing or pressuring anyone. GFA’s ambassadors ensure that their actions speak louder than their words. In this way, people experience God’s love through acts of kindness, such as providing blankets during harsh winters, offering food supplies during droughts, and assisting during natural disasters.
In many of the villages where these missionaries work, children and families are experiencing God’s love for the first time through such tangible assistance. The volunteers are there to listen, support and serve, and their presence often inspires villagers to ask about the motivation behind their kindness. This opens doors for genuine, heartfelt conversations about faith, allowing the Good News to be shared in an organic and respectful way.
Pastor Mael and his wife, Ulla, recognized the importance of helping villagers stay warm during the frigid months of winter, not only meeting a physical need but also reflecting Christ’s love. Earlier this year, they organized an event with GFA World leaders to distribute warm blankets to 20 families in need, (which included their own). The gifts arrived along with coats for Pastor Mael and other ministers to help them endure their travels in the harsh climate. These practical presents brought smiles and comfort, especially to those unfamiliar with Christianity, fostering goodwill and a positive view of the church. Pastor Mael hoped that these compassionate acts would lead some to find new life in Christ as they saw God’s love tangibly demonstrated.[3]
What is an ambassador for Christ? Christ’s ambassadors can be GFA missionaries, who understand the communities they are in because they grew up there. This local approach not only ensures that assistance is relevant but also that it reaches people in regions where foreign missionaries may not be allowed to go. By supporting national missionaries, GFA World and its partners are able to offer resources where they are most needed while respecting each community’s unique context.
Please consider extending your impact as an ambassador for Christ by supporting GFA World, which enables national missionaries to meet physical needs and offer hope in remote areas. Through prayer, financial support or by simply sharing these stories, you too can be a part of this incredible mission of love.
Learn more about Christian medical missions, Africa and beyond!
[1] “Flow of Love Turns Tide in Remote Village.” GFA World. February 2024. https://www.gfa.org/news/articles/flow-of-love-turns-tide-in-remote-village-wfr24-01/.
[2] “Child Sponsorship Brings New Hope to Sven’s Family.” GFA World. February 7, 2022. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2022/02/given-tools-boy-thrives/.
[3] “Bringing Hope and Help for Dark, Cold Nights.” GFA World. November 2023. https://www.gfaau.org/news/articles/bringing-hope-and-help-for-dark-cold-nights-wfr23-11/.