Ambassador for Christ: Representing Christ in the World
What is an ambassador for Christ? When we think of an ambassador, we typically think of an official representing their country in a foreign land. For Christians, however, the word ambassador means something different. In the biblical framework, an ambassador operates with delegated authority from their sovereign—much as political ambassadors carry their nation’s official position into foreign territory. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul writes, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us: we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” This passage identifies believers as ambassadors as though God were speaking directly through their witness.[3] Paul appeals to every Christian, not just Christian politicians on foreign soil. Every Christian is called to represent Christ in speech and conduct. In doing so, we show ourselves to be genuine followers of Christ.
Christian ambassadors are representatives of God. The ministry of reconciliation transforms believers into Christ’s authorized spokespeople, carrying His message of reconciliation to those who remain alienated from a holy God.[4] God has entrusted us with the Good News, and we must share this message with others in our spheres of influence and around the world.
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ in a practical sense?
To serve as an ambassador for Jesus Christ means representing the kingdom of God in every aspect of daily life—through work, relationships, and service to others.[5]
At GFA World, we highly value being Christ’s ambassadors in Africa and Asia. This commitment reflects the understanding that believers carry a kingdom identity that transforms their daily work and witness. For more than 40 years, we have been committed to serving people in need, working as ambassadors who are representatives of Christ to the world.
The ministry was started in 1979 by K.P. Yohannan (Metropolitan Yohan), a dedicated servant of Christ. K.P. was born in South Asia, and his mother fasted each Friday for years, praying that one of her children would grow up to preach and serve God faithfully. God answered that prayer!
After her youngest child, K.P., finished his schooling, his heart was gripped by the mission field. The calling to cross-cultural ministry often begins with indigenous workers who understand both the language and cultural context of the people they serve. He left home to bring the Good News of Jesus to those who had never heard it. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, his passion for missions intensified over the years, and he committed to reaching those not yet reached around the world.
Throughout the years, through GFA World, K.P.’s commitment to Jesus and to representing Him to those who’ve never heard the Gospel has impacted nearly every continent. This vision of bringing the message of hope through practical service demonstrates how faith translates into measurable transformation for communities living in poverty.[6] Today, GFA World trains and sends out national workers to share the Gospel and establish churches where there are none, and helping people in practical ways.
This allows them to make life-changing impacts in their communities among those living in poverty, as well as for widows, orphans and leprosy patients. These faithful ambassadors are also equipped to demonstrate God’s love by providing clean water wells, medical assistance and disaster relief.
Meeting Urgent Needs in the Himalayas
Pastor Mael, a GFA missionary, moved with his family to a village in the Himalayas. These villages endure harsh, long winters from November until March or April. During this time, serving the physical needs of communities becomes an essential expression of the ministry of reconciliation that Paul describes. During this time, people struggle to simply make ends meet and stay warm enough not freeze to death. Poverty keeps them from affording essential items like adequate blankets and coats, which can cost several months of wages.
“Since people are poor, they don’t have sufficient warm clothes,” Pastor Mael explains. “They cannot carry blankets and heavy stuff to those Himalayan mountains. They go with whatever warm clothes they have, and they get sick because of the cold. Because they are exposed to such extreme cold, then they come back, they get sick and [sometimes] even die.”
Pastor Mael knew the villagers needed warmth and safety to survive the winter. Understanding local needs positions missionaries to respond with practical compassion that demonstrates Christ’s love in tangible ways. So he organized an event with 20 families from the village and a group of GFA pastors. These leaders donated 20 plush blankets to needy families and gave coats to Pastor Mael and other pastors to better equip them for ministry.
“Because of this jacket, now I will be able to leave the house early morning, no matter how cold it is,” Pastor Mael said. “I will be able to go to the mission fields to share the Gospel to people, pray for the sick, those who need my ministry. Earlier, I used to wait for the sun to rise, and when it was warm, then only I was able to walk around. But now I can leave the house even before the sunshine.
I can leave the house and walk to the mission fields. Because of this jacket, I am so encouraged and happy that my church and leaders care for me and have given me this jacket. This encourages me to serve the Lord and work hard.”[1]
The Advantage of National Missionaries
GFA pastors and missionaries like Mael serve across Africa and Asia as ambassadors. National workers possess indigenous cultural traits that enable more effective cross-cultural ministry within their own regions. These men and women are able to serve in areas that may be restricted or closed to Western missions. They understand the language, the culture and the geography and can have a tremendous impact in their home countries.
Just like GFA’s founder, K.P. Yohannan, these ambassadors are filled with a passion from God to be a blessing in Christ’s name. This passion reflects the biblical mandate that believers are called as ambassadors, as though God Himself were making His appeal through their faithful service. They are motivated by God’s love.
Yohannan writes, “I believe, as followers of Christ, we are commanded to reach out to the least of these in the name of Jesus and show them they matter a great deal to God, who sacrificed His only Son to reach them with His love.”[2]
Join with us in supporting GFA national missionaries and pastors as they fulfill their calling of being an ambassador for Christ, addressing the spiritual and physical needs of people living in poverty. Through your partnership, you enable these faithful servants to continue representing the kingdom of God with compassion and demonstrated love in the world’s most challenging regions.
Learn more about Christian Medical Missions, Africa and beyond!
[1] “Bringing Hope and Help for Dark, Cold Nights.” GFA World. November 2023. https://www.gfa.org/news/articles/bringing-hope-and-help-for-dark-cold-nights-wfr23-11. Accessed March 5, 2026.
[2] “Top 40 K.P. Yohannan Quotes (2025 Update).” Quote Fancy. https://quotefancy.com/k-p-yohannan-quotes. Accessed March 5, 2026.
[3] “For we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV).
[4] “What is the ministry of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18?” Got Questions. https://www.gotquestions.org/ministry-of-reconciliation.html. Accessed March 5, 2026.
[5] “A Christian Identity as God’s Kingdom Witnesses in Daily Life.” Theology of Work. https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/acts/the-beginning-of-gods-new-world-acts-1-4/an-orienting-identity-as-gods-kingdom-witnesses-in-daily-life-acts-21-41. Accessed March 5, 2026.
[6] “Carrying Out the Ministry of Reconciliation in Your Daily Work.” Institute for Faith, Work & Economics. https://tifwe.org/carrying-out-the-ministry-of-reconciliation-in-your-daily-work/. Accessed March 5, 2026.