Searching for Significance: Becoming an Ambassador for Christ / Guest Post by Andrew Leung

I was raised in Portland, Oregon, then moved to Seattle when I was 10 years old. From a young age, hockey had been my passion, purpose, and most significant priority. I adopted an identity as the “hockey kid” and embraced it throughout my entire life. I dedicated everything I had to the game and believed this identity would be the only thing I needed to find joy in my life. Hockey became my god, and I believed I didn’t need anything else to fulfill me.

However, as I progressed to higher levels of the game, I was consumed by my performance and feared not living up to expectations, leading me to chase the approval of my peers. I believed that if I could only work harder or win over my coach’s and teammates’ approval, all my anxieties would disappear. I was searching for significance in a place where I would only find temporary fulfillment.

I spent years searching for significance and struggling with my identity until I learned about NorthStar Christian Academy. I had just completed my first year away from home, attending a strong Canadian hockey school, and my only goal was to find another team that would bring me closer to my hockey dreams and aspirations.

At the beginning of my first NorthStar season, I was solely there to be a hockey player, but there was something different about this team, and my eyes were opened. We had daily devotions as a team, prayed after each ice session, and had a cohesive vision to ignite the hockey world for Jesus. I was overwhelmed by God’s deep love for me, and before long, my life completely changed, and Jesus became my significance. Jesus gave me a new heart and called me a new creation! I was dead but made alive in Him! He became my firm foundation and the rock I stand on. Because of His grace and love, I found security in His promises. In Christ, I have strength, peace, and confidence, and I now know that my significance isn’t found in performance but in God’s unfailing character and love. I am loved regardless of how I perform; Jesus yearns for me and desires me to be on His team! I have a new identity as a Christian who happens to be a hockey player!

When Christ transformed me, I desired to share my joy with others. I became an Ambassador for Christ! Ambassadors for Christ represent God and His message of freedom to foreign lands. We have a mission to stand on His truths and maximize our impact everywhere we go, making disciples of all nations! As Christian athletes, we are called to spread the word and represent Christ as living testimonies!

Here are some simple steps to becoming a firm representative of Christ:

Serve as Christ Served

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” — Mark 9:35 (NIV)

As a Christian, you are constantly being evaluated. Living a life committed to serving others is an excellent testimony to Christ because you are willing to contribute rather than consume. It reflects Christ’s character, as Jesus was the greatest servant of all. Serving is an expression of love, compassion, and humility, which can be even more impactful than words alone. It demonstrates to others that your faith is genuine—not just something you talk about but something you live out. Showing kindness through serving will cause people to take notice and develop questions about why you live the way you do.

Love Others as God Loved Us

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

In the Gospels, Jesus consistently encouraged, comforted, and loved people in distress. Christ exemplified His compassion by never dismissing someone’s needs, no matter their societal status or past. As ambassadors of Christ, we can replicate Jesus’s love by uplifting others and sharing God’s love. Our God is merciful and loving, and we have opportunities every day to love others as He loves us. God comforts us in all our troubles, and in return, we are called to comfort and build up those around us! As ambassadors, our goal is to encourage our peers to reflect Christ and show that we live to add value to others instead of taking away. Through selflessness, we share our testimony and plant seeds for God in those around us.

Be the Light in a Dark World

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

As ambassadors, we are called to be the salt and light of the world—preserving goodness and providing a bright path for others to come to Christ. Through our actions, words, and love for others, we reflect God’s grace and create opportunities for others to experience His love. In this world, displaying joy and resilient faith in every circumstance is one of the most significant ways to represent God. It shows that there is a different peace and security in being a Christian.