Since July 2025, AFM has been prayerfully seeking God’s choice for a new Development Director. God’s timing is always perfect, and we are deeply grateful to share that answer to prayer. As AFM President, I am excited to introduce Marcus Jacob, whom we believe God has handpicked to lead AFM’s Development team into the future.

As I sat down to talk with Marcus, I learned that his decision to pursue mission-related work has been shaped by a multigenerational heritage of service, significant cross-cultural experiences and profound personal trials.

Welcome to AFM, Marcus. Please share with us how your spiritual heritage has shaped your outlook on service.

I come from a strong missionary and pastoral heritage. My grandparents served as missionaries from the UK, with my grandfather holding leadership roles in India and later as president of the Southeast Asia Union in Singapore. My father was a pastor and later served as a director with Adventist World Radio, also known as the Adventist Media Center, for the Southern Asia Division. Growing up, my brother and I traveled with him, assisting with sermons, memorizing Scripture and accompanying him on house visits. In many ways, we were being shaped for ministry without realizing it. Those experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of what a life of service looks like and instilled in me a love for sharing God’s message. Looking back, I see how God used those formative years to quietly prepare me for the path He has called me to follow.

Was there a pivotal point that clarified your direction in life?

Life is incredibly fragile, and the pandemic was a profound wake-up call—it helped me refocus my priorities. During that season, I prayed, “Lord, prepare me and shape me into who You are calling me to be, because I cannot do this without You.” Over the past six years, I have come to know God in a deeper and more personal way than ever before.

In recent years, you have faced significant personal trials and loss. How have these experiences prepared you to minister to others?

I have realized that I need God not only in seasons of joy, but even more in seasons of pain. Since 2023, my family has endured profound loss—the passing of my father and, later, the heartbreaking perinatal loss of babies in 2024 and 2025. In those moments, I prayed, “Lord, if You are doing something beyond what I can see, I am willing to trust You.” Through these trials, I have seen God more clearly, and my faith has deepened. I want people to know that even in loss, death and sorrow, God remains sovereign, present and faithful—and He still answers prayer.

What is your primary philosophy as you step into the role of Development Director?

For me, it is Jesus first—everything else comes second. This ministry exists to reach the unreached, and I am here because God has answered prayer after prayer in my life. God is the Master Orchestrator of all things, and it is through trusting His timing, with earnest prayer, that He shapes us to participate in His Great Commission. I have learned that the wealth this world offers pales in comparison to what God has prepared for those who follow Him. Focusing on eternal things and investing in His kingdom has shaped my purpose and fueled my passion to win souls for Christ.

How do you view the relationship between the Development Director and the generous donors who fund these global projects?

It becomes a mutual answer to prayer—each responding to God’s calling. Though roles may differ, the mission remains the same. Donors become conduits through which lives are reached, and at AFM, we invite others to join in what God is already doing. This relationship is not transactional, but covenantal and missional. Partners are co-laborers entrusted by God with resources for His kingdom, and the Development Director is responsible for stewarding that trust with integrity, transparency and prayer. This work is not about selling projects, but testifying to God’s work—inviting participation in obedience and joy. Giving becomes worship, mission is shared, and the ultimate goal is faithfulness: glorifying God, advancing His kingdom and bearing fruit that lasts for eternity.

As you transition from real estate and finance into development work, what specific skills do you believe will most benefit the AFM mission and our partners?

One of the strengths God has graciously given me is the ability to connect with people and build genuine relationships. Whether someone stops by my office, reaches out with a concern or simply needs to be heard, my goal is that they leave encouraged and uplifted. Scripture reminds us that we are called to bear one another’s burdens, and I take that calling seriously. I want people to know they are not alone—I am here for them, and they can always reach out to me.

Any final thoughts?

Serving in the mission field has long been a desire and prayer of mine—to be positioned where I can truly be a blessing. Through God’s gentle leading, I have come to a place of clarity and conviction. I can now say with confidence that I have found my calling, one I believe God has unmistakably placed on my heart.

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