AFCI World: AFCI History

AFCI History

Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI) was founded in 1948 when Australia's leading evangelist John Ridley, together with a godly building contractor, became deeply concerned about the need for biblical preaching to build up the Australian churches and penetrate the secular society. The burden was for true revival in the churches and effective evangelism through the churches. Together they formed the Australian Institute of Evangelism. Ten years later, the name was changed to Ambassadors for Christ International.

As Australians and believers from nearby countries were trained, the vision spread to other parts of the world. In 1964, Ian North was appointed Director for AFC India. When a national was appointed to that position in 1971, Ian moved to the United States and settled in Atlanta, Georgia. When he became International Director in 1975, Atlanta became the international headquarters. Allan Gardner served as International Director from 1991 until 2002. Paul Hanak assumed this office in September 2002.

Today, more than fifty years since its small beginning, the movement has become an international fellowship of people on five continents committed to fulfilling the Great Commission across all cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Currently based in 29 countries in 5 regions, AFCI is involved in planting national teams able to minister to the churches and to reach the people of their own countries with the message of revival and evangelism.