A Story of Faith, Purpose, and Community
For Giftson Charles Thommandru, a young medical graduate originally from India, the journey toward his calling in medical missions has been marked by faith, uncertainty, and remarkable divine leading. As a third-generation Adventist, he was raised in a home deeply rooted in faith and surrounded by mission work. Both of his parents were in the mission field. His father served as a pastor and his mother was a school principal at one point. Both instilled in him the importance of relying fully on God and putting Him at the center of everything. From before he was even born, Giftson’s parents dedicated him to ministry, but he was inspired to explore Christianity and Adventism for himself after listening to countless testimonies from relatives and church members.
Leap of Faith
With no prior international experience, let alone ever boarding a plane or owning a passport, and with very limited finances, he took a leap of faith and moved to the Caribbean to pursue medical training after much prayer and God’s leading. Despite enormous challenges, including limited finances and uncertainty in the future, he saw God’s hand sustaining him in powerful and personal ways. “I witnessed God’s leading and guidance in miraculous ways. I have truly experienced what it means to have radical faith, and I’ve reaped the blessings of it,” Giftson recalls.
After three years of study, he transitioned to Jamaica for clinical rotations, where things became stormy again. Limited resources, mental strain, academic pressure, and moments without basic necessities made this one of the most trying seasons of his life, but it was also there that he encountered Adventist Young Professionals (AYP)—an experience that would be a blessing for him.
Discovering AYP
While attending Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, he joined the local Young Professionals ministry. That connection led him to receiving weekly emails filled with spiritual encouragement. These reflections quickly became a source of strength. This is also how he receive an email about the AYP Convention.
The 2025 AYP Convention
When he learned about the AYP Convention in 2025, he felt strongly impressed to attend. He expected to be spiritually encouraged, but the impact went deeper. The convention became an overwhelming and deeply inspiring experience that kept getting better – spiritually, socially, and professionally. Surrounded by peers who were both passionate about their careers and committed to their faith, he found a new level of inspiration and belonging. “The connections I made have added so much value and purpose to my life,” he states. One of the most lasting outcomes was a small group of young professionals who still continue to meet for Bible study over the phone every Sunday. Giftson affirms that this community is God’s gift to him through AYP.
The Reinvigoration
Giftson is now working as a teaching assistant while preparing for a one-year internship before going onto residency training. He carries with him a calling on his life for medical missions and charitable ministry, something always at the forefront of his heart as he prays and plans for the future. Deeply inspired by a few Indian Adventist doctors who have dedicated their lives to service, including an ophthalmologist who performs free cataract surgeries around the word, he hopes to organize large-scale, free medical intervention programs and awareness drives that help people live healthier lives that honor and glorify God through joy, health, and healing.
A Generation on Mission
His story is just one of many. Across the globe, young Adventist professionals are learning to navigate the intersection of faith and vocation. They’re discovering that spiritual growth doesn’t have to be sidelined by career goals, and that professional success is even more meaningful when rooted in purpose.
Ministries like Adventist Young Professionals (AYP) are helping create that space where community, calling, and discipleship come together. Whether through church connections, digital resources, or global gatherings, young adults are being reminded that they’re not alone. That God is in their midst. That their work matters. And that their faith can flourish even in the busiest seasons of life.
Giftson ends with encouraging words: “It will get better! The Lord will always be with you even in the silent moments, He is still present. Hold on to Him through the pruning and sculpting process. You will come out a strong soldier and a beloved child of God. Do missionary work and take part in evangelism wherever you are. Be the light!” A verse that he holds in his heart is Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Want to experience the kind of community Giftson found through AYP? Find a local AYP chapter near you. Ready to support the mission? Your generosity helps us keep creating spaces for young adults to grow in Christ.
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