Who has the greatest influence in your life? Some might say a coach or a teacher. Others might think of an author or mentor who provided direction, instruction, or leadership.
Modern-day “influencers” use their online presence, fame, and credibility on social media platforms to promote products, services, or ideas to followers. A 2025 report from Collabstr claims there are 127 million influencers on social media, and Pew Research cites 40% of U.S. adults follow influencers.
Again, I pose the question, who has the greatest influence in your life? Can I go a step further? Who are you influencing? All of us influence others, whether we realize it or not. When you pause to consider those who influenced you, you might be surprised at who had a tremendous impact. Think about your parents, who may have taught you a love for God’s Word or taken you to church. What about a nursery worker who, with simple stories, opened your eyes to Daniel in the lion’s den or Moses and the Red Sea crossing?
The list goes on and on: Sunday School teacher, children’s church leader, youth pastor, or the senior pastor. Think about where and how you were influenced by these people: a story, adventure, youth camp, sermon, and especially the moment you gave your life to Christ.
Sergeant Major Kenneth Farley would say, “The power of influence is not something that automatically comes with the position of leadership.” Most are actively looking for someone who powerfully leads and provides influence, whether in Sunday School or the corporate world.
The Scriptures provide clear examples of this power of influence. Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us we are each influencing others every day. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Notice the text begins with the words, “Ye are.” This means each of you. Every one of you. All of you. No one is left out. We are given the light of Christ and now provide influence in the places we serve. Pastoring in a forgotten field, mothering small children, working in a factory — you get the picture. And where do we provide this light? The world. Everywhere. Everyone, providing light, everywhere. May I stretch your thoughts? Every believer is providing influence for the Kingdom in every place on the planet.
As believers, we light the way for others to see the Christ who gave us life. A battle between good and evil is on display in our world. Those in your schools, in your neighborhood, in your family, and at your work are hungry for your Christian influence.
I see the power of influence in three metaphors.
Window. The window is a period of possibility, a moment in time when influence is open. Consider the few years your children are young, and parents have a window to influence their love for God and shape their hearts to bend toward God.
In the military, we often serve a duty station for a specific period. We have a limited window to make a difference in that command or unit. As chaplains, we influence soldiers in a battalion of up to 1,200 people, or even a brigade of 4,500 or more.
Door. Influence can also be seen as a door. The most familiar door in Scripture is found in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Christ is certainly the divine influencer in this case.
Another door is found in Revelation 3:8, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” God has opened doors for your influence. I think of the doors God has opened for our family as we serve the U.S. Army. The ministry philosophy God has provided is to provide the greatest influence conceivable, to the largest number of soldiers available, for the longest period possible. God has provided that open door and continues to bless through His plan.
At our last duty station in Columbia, South Carolina, I wrote curriculum for first-term chaplains after they graduated from Chaplain Officer Basic Course. With this open door, my small team not only accomplished this assigned task but also wrote a curriculum for chaplain candidates in the Guard and Reserves, along with a supervisor’s course. This was an open door, the chance to write a curriculum that would touch every chaplain in the Army. During that time, I also partnered with another Free Will Baptist chaplain, (MAJ-P) Lee Frye, and between us, we had opportunity to influence several Free Will Baptist chaplains through training, mentorship, and fellowship.
Season or opportunity. I cannot recall the number of times the Holy Spirit has pressed me to speak up, speak out, or just be a light. A season is an advantageous or favorable circumstance or combination of circumstances. Add this definition to the power of influence and you find the times you have an opportunity to influence others.
How many of you were saved at a youth camp? Opportunity. How many of you were in the right place at the right time for God to do something magnificent? Opportunity. The cool thing about opportunity is that it can arise any time.
As believers, we currently are facing a window, a door, and an opportunity unlike any other in our lifetime. Each of us has the power to influence.
Like many of you, I watched with horror when Christian conservative Charlie Kirk was assassinated September 10, 2025. Kirk was a strong advocate for free speech and Christian values. His life was marked by a strong biblical stance for the family and faith in God. He truly was a great influencer. He took advantage of the door, the window, and the opportunity shaped by God and opened to him, to be a voice for many.
Across the globe, Christians are engaged in a war of good and evil. We must use the power of influence to change the world for good, even if the consequences are great. How are you influencing others today?
You may not have a pulpit in a prominent church or be a national personality, yet you influence someone. Your words, actions, and life are, in some way, an influence for the Kingdom of God. What are you doing to be that positive influence? What platform has God provided for you to influence others? Understand the power of influence and take advantage of every window, door, and opportunity today.
About the Writer: CH (LTC) Kevin Trimble and his wife Darla make their home in Washington, D.C. Trimble is the Deputy Command Chaplain for the Joint Task Force, National Capital Region and Military District of Washington. He and Darla both enjoy staying active through running each day and exercising with their dog Royal. Learn more about the ministry of Free Will Baptist chaplains at fwbnam.com/chaplaincy/.
