Date

4-29-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Jacob Dunlow

Keywords

ambassador of Jesus Christ, biblical strategy, culture, discipleship, doctrine, gospel, identity, ministry, service, volunteers

Disciplines

Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry thesis project is to develop a biblical strategy to recruit, enlist, and develop volunteers at Restoration Church by reframing service through the scriptural identity of believers as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Within the ministry context of a rapidly growing, culturally diverse congregation, Restoration Church faces a persistent shortage of volunteers stemming from congregational mergers, spiritual apathy, negative associations with volunteering, and the absence of a sustainable philosophy of service. Therefore, this project focuses on a comprehensive, reproducible approach that connects gospel transformation to participation in ministry. A biblical curriculum called Discover Restoration was created and implemented to help individuals move from salvation to service by clarifying their identity in Christ, discovering their spiritual gifts, and participating in meaningful ministry roles. The project’s goal is to establish a culture of ambassadors who serve not simply to complete tasks but to represent Christ through acts of love, character, and faithfulness. The study incorporated a pre-study self-assessment survey, a S.H.A.P.E. Profile, Discover Restoration Bible studies, a post-questionnaire to assess culture, and exit interviews, all of which were used to establish an ambassador profile. The data were analyzed to measure changes in doctrinal alignment, ministry engagement, and the development of a missional culture within the church. The findings show that connecting gospel identity with ministry service significantly increases volunteer participation and spiritual maturity. This project provides a transferable model for other churches seeking to promote a sustainable culture of service grounded in biblical discipleship and ambassadorial identity.

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