Why I’m a Gideon: Angel Roberto

Racing down the highway on his motorcycle, Angel Roberto was speeding toward a crisis. His once-promising corporate career had unraveled, his marriage was in trouble, and he was wrestling with God. When flashing blue lights brought him to an abrupt stop, he had no idea his life was about to change forever.

Pulled over by a highway patrol captain, Angel braced for an expensive speeding ticket—one he couldn’t afford. Instead, the officer let him off with a warning. In that moment, Angel felt God whisper, “See what else I can do if you’ll just trust Me.” Overcome with emotion, he knew the Lord was revealing Himself. That experience led Angel to fully surrender his life to Christ, changing his heart, marriage, and future.

Answering the Call

Angel’s faith journey eventually led him to The Gideons International, where he discovered a passion for sharing God’s Word. “The first time I handed someone a Scripture and saw the gratitude in their eyes, I knew this was my calling,” he says. Since joining in 2007, he has served in multiple camps and leadership roles, helping grow and strengthen the ministry.

His experience showed him that while bringing in new members is vital, keeping them engaged is just as important. He listened to former members to understand why they left, uncovering a common concern: they joined with great expectations but lacked opportunities to take meaningful action. Angel took this to heart, working alongside ministry leaders to revitalize camps by fostering relationships, mentoring new members, and encouraging open dialogue between seasoned and younger Gideons.

Growing Through Ministry

Angel believes that beyond the initial call to join, members must experience a deeper call to action. Whether through praying together, visiting pastors, distributing Scriptures, or speaking in churches, he encourages Gideons to step into ministry with the expectation that God will reveal their purpose. To help facilitate this, he implemented ways to engage new members with hands-on ministry opportunities and mentorship.

Angel encourages more Gideons to embrace opportunities to mentor younger members and invite their feedback. “You get to see that member grow in the Lord, and you don’t know what God is going to do with him; but you can plant that seed that helps another member grow and experience what God has planned for him.”

Above all, Angel has learned that success in ministry isn’t just about strategy—it’s about spiritual surrender. “When I try to do things my way, I might have a great plan, but I always hit a wall,” he shares. Instead, he listens for God’s guidance, allowing the Lord to direct his efforts.

Through his faithful service, Angel continues to inspire and equip others to serve in The Gideons International, helping more men grow in their faith and reach the world with the Gospel.