The AFJ leadership team is the primary governing body of the church. The team comprises of 3 ordained Ministers, and the Chairperson, who is also an ordained Minister. Between them, they have 20 years of theological studies and 100 years of experience in the Christian walk.
The leadership team’s role is to ensure that:
1. AFJ remains on a true course Biblically.
2. All aspects of ministry are held accountable to Biblical principles, the constitution and by-laws of the International Assemblies of God and excellence.
3. Members are being led appropriately.
4. The body of Christ is being fed spiritually through accurate Biblical teaching.
5. The life of the Church is being well managed.
6. Strategic direction is being defined and fulfilled.
7. The financial integrity of our church is safe-guarded.
EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP AND FOR THIS REASON WE INVEST IN OUR LEADERSHIP. WE BELIEVE IT TAKES ONLY SECURE LEADERS TO GIVE POWER TO OTHERS.
Reverend Ralph Paul
Chairman
Rev. Ralph Paul is the co-founder and Senior Minister at Ambassadors for Jesus(AFJ). His role as the Senior Minister has impacted many lives and he attributes faith and relentless prayer as the two most important factors that contributed to establishing AFJ.
He has integrity with humility, leadership skills with compassion, discernment with decisiveness, all seasoned with understanding and grace. Rev. Ralph is married to Rev. Sharla Paul, who is a powerful woman of God; and they have 3 wonderful daughters, viz. Chantal, Amanda and Talia, who themselves are also involved in the ministry. They also have another daughter, Dorca (6), who was adopted into the family.
Rev. Ralph is well known for his extensive visionary and strategic breakthroughs in the lives of people and churches. He is considered a father to many sons across the world. Since 1994, Rev. Ralph has been involved in cross-cultural and international missions in various parts of the world, i.e: Mozambique, Madagascar, Singapore, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mauritius India, Mexico, Dubai, United States of America, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand.
Rev. Ralph was called to ministry at the age of 24 (licensed, 28 October 1984), with Rev. Sharla, under the banner of the Church of the Province of South Africa. In 1989, they both moved over to the International Assemblies of God, which is the largest Pentecostal fellowship in the world. Rev. Ralph was ordained and licensed as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the KZN North District of the International Assemblies of God in September 1992. He holds a diploma in Bible Theology from the International Bible College (Global University), as well as a BA Hons. Social Sciences Degree- Transformation in Religion from the University of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2002. Exposure to these courses have equipped Rev. Ralph to facilitate leadership training sessions and marriage seminars and to oversee numerous missions endeavours. Re. Ralph is an international conference speaker, having lectured abroad on many occasions and is a minister who operates with the anointing and power gifts.
Some of Rev. Ralphs special independent coursework includes:
Africa Enterprise – Missions Co-coordinator (SA) in February 1986
Evangelism Explosion – Trainer (SA) June 1989
Africa Operation Whole – HIV Trainer (SA) 2001
The African Theological Training Service – International Ministries(Malawi) July 2002
John Maxwell Leadership Training (SA) July 2003
Teen CHallenge International Leadership Training – (Swaziland) September 2009
6th Triennial World AG – (Chennai, India) 2011
Missions Congress (Cancun, Mexico) June 2013
Louis Allen Leadership Training (SA) September 2013
Mission Congress (Bangkok, Thailand) February 2015
Rev. Ralph is a humble servant of God who is available for consultations on missions, leadership, marraige and family therapy matters, and he can be reached via email at: ralphp@afjiag.org
Reverend Sharla Paul
Rev. Sharla Paul is the co-founder and Senior Minister at Ambassadors for Jesus (AFJ). In her role as the senior minister, she, together with the guidance of her husband and fellow minister, Rev. Ralph Paul, spearheads and manages all ministerial aspects at AFJ, including sound biblical teaching, preaching and counselling. She is a powerhouse in the spiritual realm where the Lord has used her in an awesome manner to bring deliverance to the oppressed and demon-possessed, thereby leading them to the saving grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev Sharla was the first female minister to be ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the KZN North District of the International Assemblies of God on 30 June 2004. She holds an advanced diploma in Bible Theology from the International Bible College and she graduated as the valedictorian in her year for graduation. Rev. Sharla has more than 31 years of experience in the ministry and has a passion for marriage counselling and family therapy. She has rescued many marriages and families by providing the blessed assurance we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. She is also an international speaker, having spoken in various countries throughout Africa.
Drawing on her years of ministerial experience, Rev. Sharla also focuses on mentoring our various departmental leaders. She is an avid reader and her favourite author is Dr. Phil McGraw.
Rev. Sharla is available for consultations on marriage and family therapy matters, and can be reached vis email at: sharlap@afjiag.org
Pastor Sadha Naidoo
Pastor Sadha Naidoo has been a member at AFJ since September 1996 and has held numerous ministerial positions including that if a youth leader, men’s fellowship leader, life group leader and he has also had the privilege of being on various missions teams that ventured into Africa on numerous occasions. He completed a diploma in Bible Theology at the end of 2001 under the auspices of the International Assemblies of God and graduated at salutatorian.
Pastor Sadha currently serves as the Secretary on the Church Board and is also actively involved in influencing its members through teaching and preaching the Word of God, bringing transformation into their lives, in the hope that they become our greatest advertisements.
Pastor Sadha enjoys his membership at AFJ because of the simple manner in which the profound truths of God are presented by the Senior Pastorate. Further to this, he appreciates the fact that the Senior Pastorate meets people at the various points of their need and he believes that this is pivotal in winning souls to the Lord.
Pastor Sadha also holds a Diploma in Advanced Management and has a passion for leadership, having attended numerous leadership and management sessions. Pastor Sadha can be contacted at: sadhan@afjiag.org
Pastor Christie Naidoo
Pastor CHristy Naidoo has been a member of AFJ since December 1996. He is also a member of the Executive Board for the past 17 years and currently serves the church in the capacity of Treasurer.
Over the years, he occupied several ministerial positions including that of a men’s fellowship leader, youth leader, convener, Sunday school superintendent and a life group leader.
He had the opportunity of being on numerous mission teams that embarked in projects in various parts of Africa. Through the Bible study programs at church, he continued studying at the International Bible College, completing his diploma in Bible Theology at the end of 2004.
Pastor Christie loves AFJ because it is a bible based church that does not compromise the Word of God. Through nurturing and mentorship by the senior pastors we are given an opportunity to grow spiritually, exercising our gifts and talents for the enhancement of the Kingdom of God.
He has committed his life to serving God and to fulfill God’s purpose by ensuring that the functionality of the church is managed in an orderly manner. You can contact Pastor Christie at: christien@afjiag.org