Ambassador For Christ: How Clint Clifton Represented Christ to Me.

Last week I received news that I never imagined hearing. Sure I know that none of us is promised tomorrow and that our life is a vapor, but I never imagined that I would hear that my pastor become friend had died unexpectedly. He was one of the guys in my life that I took for granted far too often- I just assumed he would always be there. His personal impact on me is impossible to measure.

One day early on in planting a church, I said something in front of a group of people that made it sound like Clint was the primary mentor in my life during that season of planting (because he was). And Clint heard me say that and he said something like, “Brian, don’t say that anymore. If you want to speak about my influence in your life, say something like ‘Clint is one of the many people God has used to make me more like Jesus.’”

Indeed he was.

Brad Hambrick, one of my counseling professors, often asks the question, “What role should a counselor primarily play with their counselees? Should we be listeners? Teachers? Advice-givers? No, none of these are the goal. The primary role we should play is: Ambassador for Christ.”

I have applied this idea to more than just pastoral counseling over the years. I find it extremely helpful in thinking about my role in helping people. The phrase is from 2 Cor. 5:20 and the idea is that God does His work in His people by using other people as His ambassadors in their lives.

Clint Clifton has served as Christ’s ambassador to me for the past 12+ years. I’ll attempt to articulate just a few of the ways he’s done this. My aim is to help me remember one of the many people God has used in my life- my friend Clint Clifton. I also hope to encourage you and I to live out this type of life in our relationships with others.

1. “Yes, you should join us.” In the first meaningful conversation I ever had with Clint, my wife and I had just moved into town and started attending Clint’s church. He followed up with us, the new visitors by meeting with us in our home. I was an active duty Marine and knew that I would only be in town for 9-10 months. I wondered if I should even join the church in membership. Clint didn’t miss a beat: “Yes, you should join.” It wasn’t a question in his mind. He welcomed us in; he dedicated large portions of time to us; and he knew that we’d be gone in less than a year. Christ welcomes us into His family even if we’ll never be “valuable” in it. While hanging on the cross, Jesus called out to a thief hanging beside him, and said “Today you will be with me in paradise.” He welcomed him into the fold despite the extreme brevity of the thief’s Christian walk. Christ welcomes us based on His character of love, not on what we can do for His agenda. Who do you need to welcome into your life today on behalf of Christ?
2. He came to me. As I joined Clint’s church, I immediately began wrestling with a call into pastoral ministry. It was clear; it was compelling; it was contrary to what I wanted to do with my life; and I wasn’t able to shake it no matter how hard I tried… and I tried. I kept my mouth shut about it. I didn’t tell a soul for months. One day, I got an email from Clint: “For the past few mornings as I have prayed for you and your family I have been impressed to offer you the opportunity to lead the bible teaching on a Sunday morning. If you would like the opportunity here is how it will go… ” Clint had no clue what I was wrestling with, but he followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and moved towards me. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. He left the throne room of heaven and came to us. And He continually moves towards us in our moments of need. Who do you need to go to today on behalf of Christ?
3. “Yes, you should obey the Holy Spirit.” Following the email conversation mentioned above, Clint and I met, and I told him what I believed God was calling me to do: get out of the Marine Corps and plant a church in Jacksonville, NC. Clint responded with something like, “That’s awesome! I want to help you do that.” Jesus told his disciples that when He went away that the Holy Spirit would help them, guide them, and lead them in what to do. Is there someone you can encourage to obey the Spirit’s leading in their life on behalf of Christ?
4. “Greater works than these [you] will do.” Clint was keenly aware that the greatest impact of his life would be the impact made by the people that he led and taught. Clint saw his greatest legacy and got his greatest joy seeing those he brought up in ministry excelling. Jesus, the Son of God, surprisingly said to His disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do…” (John 14:12). Jesus knew that the few men that He poured into would take the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth- even saying that His disciples would accomplish greater works than He, Jesus, did- fascinating. Who do you need to invest in on behalf of Christ?

In all these ways and countless more, Clint Clifton served as a faithful ambassador of Christ in my life. He acted towards me and spoke towards me like Jesus would have were He sitting in the room. For that I am eternally grateful.

Be an Ambassador of Christ in someone’s life today. It’s perhaps the most important thing you could do today.

I love you guys!

Brian O’Day