Men of Faith: My Reflections on the Gideons’ Call

Men of Faith: My Reflections on the Gideons’ Call

This year’s Gideons conference, held from October 10 to 12, 2025, at De Betteld, Aaltenseweg, Zelhem, Netherlands, was truly special. Being invited once again to share the Word, this time virtually,  reminded me that faith transcends distance. The Spirit of God unites us beyond geographical space, drawing us together under one divine calling: to live as men and women of faith. The audience was mainly Dutch-speaking, and thanks to modern technology, communication was made possible, allowing the message to reach hearts across languages and borders. I find myself reflecting deeply on the experience, the message, and the movement of God in and through the Gideons International.

Though I am currently far away from the Netherlands, undergoing training in Practical Theology and Educational Ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary in the United States, my heart remains deeply connected to the work of God among the Gideons. Before leaving for the U.S., I had the privilege of serving as the Membership Coordinator and later as Chaplain of the Netherlands Gideons, a role that strengthened my commitment to living and leading by faith.

The Gideons’ Call: Beyond

Bible Distribution

When people think of the Gideons, they often associate the ministry solely with Bible distribution — in hotels, hospitals, prisons, and schools. While that visible act of service is powerful and essential, the Gideons’ mission goes much deeper.

We are not only called to distribute the Word; we are called to embody it.  We are called to live as people who trust God, walk in obedience, and serve faithfully — even when the results of our labor are not immediately visible.  Faith is what fuels our mission. It sustains our vision. It gives us the courage to keep sharing the Gospel, knowing that God’s Word never returns void.

As Isaiah 55:11 reminds us:

“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth:
it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.”

The Foundation: Saved by Grace, Living by Faith

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8–9:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God;
not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Faith is not human confidence; it is divine dependence. It is trusting God when the evidence is invisible and believing Him even when outcomes are uncertain.  Faith bridges the gap between what God has promised and what we are yet to see. As Hebrews 11:1 declares:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith That Pleases God

Faith is not a concept; it is a lifestyle.  To walk by faith is to live in a way that pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 states plainly:

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”

Faith acts. Faith obeys. Faith endures.  It’s not passive but alive, active, and resilient. True faith says, “Lord, I believe You, even when I cannot see You.”

Heroes of Faith: Lessons from Scripture

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is filled with examples of men and women whose faith reshaped history:

• Abraham believed God’s promise even in old age.

• Noah built the ark before a drop of rain ever fell.

• Moses led a nation out of bondage by faith.

• David faced Goliath not with self-confidence, but with confidence in God.

• Daniel stood firm in Babylon without compromise.

• Peter stepped out of the boat at Jesus’ command.

• Paul endured imprisonment yet declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Their stories remind us that faith is not about sight, safety, or control — it is about trust, surrender, and obedience.

Our Continuing Call as Gideons

Today, as modern Gideons, we carry that same torch of faith. Every Bible we place, every word we share, and every prayer we offer is an act of obedience — a testimony that faith is alive and active in us.  Our mission remains clear: to share the Gospel through God’s Word and to live lives that reflect His truth. We sow the seed; God brings the harvest.

A Prayer for Faith

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of faith and the salvation we have in Christ.
Increase our faith daily.
Grant us courage to walk by faith and not by sight.
Bless the Gideons ministry around the world.
Strengthen our hands to spread Your Word and transform lives through Scripture.
May our lives reflect Your love, obedience, and steadfast faith.  Amen.

Final Reflections as a Scholar in Practical Theology

As I continue my studies in Practical Theology, I am increasingly convinced that faith is not merely a theological idea — it is a lived reality.
To be a man or woman of faith is not to walk in perfection, but in persistence. It means trusting God when His hand cannot be traced, and obeying Him even when the path ahead remains uncertain.  May we, as believers, ministers, and Gideons and Auxiliaries ,  continue to live and lead by faith, confident that every act of obedience, no matter how small, carries eternal significance in the Kingdom of God.

You can watch the full recording of the message on YouTube: Men of Faith – Gideons Netherlands 2025

Ayodele John Alonge
Sunday 12th  October, 2025, 10:46pm (EST)
Marcia Riggs Commons (MRC),
701 S Columbia Decatur, Atlanta Georgia