Machine Gun Preacher Reflects on the Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice

By Sam Childers, Machine Gun Preacher

I felt like I didn’t deserve the honor. Standing humbled and overwhelmed in the grand halls of The Leela in Mumbai back in 2013 to receive the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice, I could hardly fathom the award being given to someone like me. 

I was a man with a past. My soul was scarred by sin and violence. Sure, I had been called by Christ to save children in East Africa. That man from decades before was long dead, and I was born again to carry on God’s mission. To be associated in any way with the legacy of Mother Teresa – one of the most holy and selfless individuals to ever walk this Earth – was nothing short of a miracle.

It’s been over 10 years. Having spent the last quarter-century on this crusade, a decade goes by like smoke through a keyhole. It makes sense today to reflect on what the Mother Teresa Award meant, so we don’t lose sight of the “why” behind the mission.

Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to unconditional love, fierce compassion and tireless dedication to the world’s most vulnerable. She dedicated herself to the poor, the broken and the forgotten. That’s the kind of selfless devotion I aspire to every day. Receiving an award bearing her name didn’t feel like a recognition of my work — it felt like a divine reminder of the path I’ve been called to walk.

From Sinner to Servant

My life was once defined by violence, addiction and sin. But in 1992, God called me out of the darkness and gave me a new purpose: to be His warrior on this Earth. I was led to East Africa, where I witnessed unimaginable horrors — children ripped from their families, forced to become soldiers or sex slaves, and living in constant fear of warlords like Joseph Kony of the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army.

I couldn’t turn my back on them. I knew then I had to rescue these defenseless children, to bring evil warlords to justice and to give these innocent souls a chance at a better life.

Angels of East Africa: A Legacy of Love & Hope

Since that moment of transformation, my nonprofit organization, Angels of East Africa, has been at the forefront of this fight. The Mother Theresa Award from the Harmony Foundation in 2013 was not just a recognition of the past but a challenge to keep going, to push harder and to save more lives.

In the years since, Angels of East Africa has expanded its reach and deepened its impact:

• Orphanages: Our orphanages and children’s homes remain a safe haven for hundreds of children who’ve been rescued from the grips of war. Here, they are given food, shelter, medical care and — most importantly — love.

• Education: We’ve launched educational programs that give children the tools they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and violence. From primary schooling to job-training opportunities, these children now have the chance to dream and to build a better future.

• Vocational Training: Recognizing the importance of self-sufficiency, we’ve introduced vocational training programs in agriculture, carpentry, tailoring, and other trades. These skills not only empower the children but also strengthen the communities around them.

• Community Support: Our work goes beyond the orphanages. We’ve built wells for clean water, provided resources for local schools, and partnered with communities to create sustainable solutions for long-term peace and prosperity.

  
  

The Fight Is Far From Over

Despite these strides, the fight is far from over. Thousands of children are still trapped in a nightmare of violence and exploitation. Warlords like Kony may have faded from the headlines, but their legacy of terror lingers. Every day, I feel the weight of the mission God has placed on my heart — to rescue the lost, to protect the innocent and to stand as a barrier against the forces of evil.

As I look back on the moment I received the Mother Teresa Award, I am reminded that this fight is not about me. The mission didn’t culminate in that moment. It was only a mile-marker on the greater journey. 

It’s about the children. It’s about ensuring they have a future filled with hope instead of despair. It’s about being God’s hands and feet on this Earth, even in the darkest places.

Remembering Mother Teresa’s Mission

Mother Teresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Her words echo in my heart as I continue this mission delivering children to safety and rebuilding shattered lives. 

We DO belong to each other, and the children of East Africa need us now more than ever.

To everyone who has supported Angels of East Africa over the years, THANK YOU! Your prayers, donations and encouragement fuel this mission. And to those who feel called to join us, there’s always room for more warriors in this fight.