In April 2015, I spent a week in a gorgeous lodge tucked away on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan.
It was a time of meeting new people, reflecting on what God has done, and dreaming about what God will do. We learned everything from the ways of God to the workings of a ministry to operating a computer program.
It was a time of training to be a Revive Our Hearts Ambassador.
The Ambassador program has grown to include more than forty-four women representing the ministry in their own states or countries. We feel the weight of responsibility entrusted to us of representing Revive Our Hearts. But even more than that, we feel the weight of responsibility entrusted to all believers of representing Christ.
Ambassadors for Christ
The word “ambassador” appears in Scripture, but until that training, I honestly had never given it much thought. One verse we studied was 2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Right before that verse in the passage, Paul tells us that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation,” and that He is “entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (vv. 18–19).
Long before Revive Our Hearts set me apart as an ambassador, God had already done so! From the moment He saved me, God set me apart as an ambassador of the message of the gospel. My job is to represent Him to those around me—both those who claim to know Him and those who don’t.
The President of the United States isn’t personally in France right now (at least I’m assuming!), but he has placed an ambassador in France to represent himself. Likewise, Christ is not currently physically on earth, but during this time of waiting for Him to come back, He has placed millions of ambassadors all over the globe to represent Himself—to show people His ways, to present His message, to be a picture of Him while He's not here in person.
Anyone who claims the name of Christ is assumed to be representing Christ, an ambassador of Christ. This is a huge responsibility indeed. The verses following 2 Corinthians 5:20 have phrases like, “We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry” (6:3), “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way” (6:4), and “You are not restricted by us” (6:12).
I know there have been many times when the picture of Christ presented by my life has put an obstacle in the way of someone else trusting Him. I know there have been times when my speech—gossip, complaining, idle talk—has placed restrictions on someone understanding the gospel. That's a weight I feel now like never before.
How Do We Represent Christ?
Many of you also represent churches or ministries. As you lead, teach, speak, and minister to women, you are an ambassador for the church or ministry to which God has called you. What an awesome responsibility it is to be entrusted to represent a ministry for the gospel!
Revive Our Hearts has meant so much to me, and the impact it’s had on my life is immeasurable. The thought of being a part of this ministry at this time is surreal, and I want to be so extremely careful to not abuse the responsibility that has been entrusted to me as I carry their message to women and churches in my area.
But if I’m not even more careful with the message of reconciliation entrusted to me by my God, then it’s all for nothing. Ultimately I am not only an ambassador for Revive Our Hearts or Life Action Ministries or Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. And ultimately you are not only an ambassador for your church or ministry. Ultimately we are ambassadors for Christ. And when it’s all said and done, the only thing that matters in our lives is how we represent the message of hope entrusted to us by Christ.
So I would encourage you to take some time to reflect on the way you represent not only the ministry you serve, but also on the way you represent Christ. Obviously, we won’t represent Him perfectly this side of glory. Are there sins you need to confess, ways you have conducted yourself as a leader that don’t accurately reflect the One you represent? Perhaps you need to be more bold in proclaiming the truth. Maybe you need to step back and check your motives.
If you are a women's ministry leader, pastor's wife, Bible study leader, or leader in any other capacity, we have good news for you. As you seek the Lord for daily grace to represent Him well in your ministry, you don’t have to walk alone. The Revive Our Hearts Ambassadors are ready and eager to connect with you. It is our privilege to pray for you, and encourage you as you serve as Christ’s ambassador. Let’s join hands in the work, and may the women we lead see a beautiful representation of Christ in us.
To learn more about becoming an Ambassador, contact Angela Temples, National Field Director.