I asked Thirteen Three Ambassador Bec Sparkes to share one experience she will never forget from her time in Vietnam.

While we were in Vietnam, we had the opportunity to go to a youth camp with 150 young Vietnamese Christians.

One night after a sermon we went outside and each person was given a bamboo torch, which one of the Vietnamese pastors came around and lit.

We stood in a large circle, torches in hand, singing out to God. Then we placed our torches around a campfire and stood watching the flames grow until a cross burst into flame above the campfire.

The torches symbolised the passing of the Gospel to the next generation, which is us! It was just like what Paul writes to Timothy:

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

I felt the weight of my responsibility and a greater appreciation of the task that God has called me to in this life as a disciple of Christ. Yet I also felt a wonderful sense of joy and privilege to participate in God’s work.

I thought of all those before me who have faithfully passed on the Gospel, the pastors who lit my torch who I deeply respect and admire, how it is now my turn to pass the Gospel on to others.

That image will remain in my heart forever as a reminder of who and what I live for.