While a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, my pastor husband served a small Baptist church. I must admit, I can’t remember most of the names of those sweet members — except for Johnny. Yes … I remember Johnny. You see, 14-year-old Johnny had special needs, being autistic and nonverbal. But there was never any doubt that he loved Jesus and he loved people — and his dog.
After every service, my husband stood at the back door and interacted with the congregation. And Johnny stood with him, greeting everyone with a handshake and a big smile that was contagious among the members. If for some reason Johnny was unable to attend — which was rare — something was missing from the service. His presence was loved and appreciated by everyone. In his own simple way, Johnny was an ambassador for Christ as much as those members whose work was more visible.
A few years later, Johnny was hit and killed by a car while crossing the road to pick up meat scraps a neighbor saved for his dog. The entire community mourned his death. His smile was a testament to his love for Christ.
He was not forgotten.
How can Baptist pastors and churches guide children and youth to be ambassadors for Christ?
One definition describes an ambassador as an authorized messenger or representative or someone who is appointed to stand in for another person.
Isn’t that what we as Christians are supposed to do?
We represent Christ to others. Children and youth look to adults in their church as examples of what it means to be a Christian or an ambassador for Christ.
LifewayResearch.com reports that there are 314,000 Protestant churches in America. What a difference it would make if these churches could guide their children and youth to become ambassadors for Christ.
American evangelist Dwight L. Moody is quoted as saying, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.”
Sardis Baptist focuses on missions
Michael E. Goforth, pastor of Sardis Baptist Church in Boaz, uses a combination of ways to guide children and youth to be active in the church and to serve as ambassadors.
“Our church is missions-focused,” Goforth said. “For example, our church has received permission and taken 15 trips to Brazil and floated down the Amazon River on a boat that sleeps 35 people. Along the river, there are an estimated 33,000 unreached [villages] that need to know Jesus. Families that go on missions trips often take their children, teens and grandchildren. On a recent trip, our youth visited in homes in the villages, and 275 folks got to know the Lord.” Goforth took his 16-year-old grandson, and he was able to witness to the people.
Sardis Baptist is also active in filling shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Children and youth help pack the boxes and pray for each child who receives the box.
Vacation Bible Schools are also part of the missions work that includes children and youth.
Recently, when a tornado tore through several southern towns, Sardis members volunteered to serve on disaster relief teams. When possible, the youth also served. They learn skills of carpentry as well as how to pray with those affected.
Before COVID-19, Sardis members participated in numerous home missions trips with children and youth involved.
Goforth believes that guiding children and youth to be ambassadors for Christ involves a combination of things that help them share the gospel. Through serving as pastor of Sardis for 25 years, he has pastored children who are now adults and have families of their own.
“When children are introduced to missions early in life, they continue as adults,” Goforth said. “Being missions-minded is one way of being an ambassador for Christ.”
Younger generation inspires older believers
“There is a stewardship every church has been entrusted with by the Lord,” said Randy Kellough, pastor of Woodland Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee. “A significant part of that is in how we train children and youth to walk in the ways of Christ.
“It should be the desire of the Church to make sure they are making the connection between accepting Jesus as Lord and becoming a witness for Him,” he said. “The mission the Lord has called us to is to serve as His ambassadors and His representatives in every area of life. The best evidence of revival in the Church is often seen in the younger generation living the faith boldly and impacting their generation. Seeing younger Christians living out their faith can inspire the older believers in their Christian life.”
Qualities of an ambassador
These are only a few qualities of being an ambassador for Christ. Churches may add others.
- Knowledgeable and prepared.
- Willing to listen; patient.
- Ask questions and seek answers.
- Wise in adapting to problems of people.
- Know and use the Bible.
- Humble and willing to be corrected, if needed.
- Honest and will not manipulate others.
- Sympathetic and fair.
- Practices good conduct.
- Willingness to work with others. (adapted from Lifeway, Bible Studies for Life, “We are Ambassadors for Christ,” item 9)
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