Christian charity World Vision U.S. has appointed Edgar Sandoval as its new President and Chief Executive Officer to replace Rich Stearns, who had announced his retirement last January after leading the organization for nearly 20 years.

Sandoval, who had served as World Vision's Chief Operating Officer for three years, will be taking over as the organization's new CEO beginning Oct. 1, according to a press release.

"I am humbled by this opportunity to build on World Vision's 68-year tradition of helping some of the world's most vulnerable children," Sandoval said, as reported by PR Newswire.

"My priorities will be to accelerate the impact of our work in the communities we serve with the faithful support of our donors and partners, to strengthen our fundraising capabilities, and most importantly, to be a witness to the love of Jesus Christ in everything we do. These challenges and opportunities are both exciting and urgent," he added.

World Vision leadership and staff members have hailed Sandoval for his work while serving as the organization's COO. Stearns, who became the charity's fifth president in 1998, described the incoming CEO as a "collaborative and decisive leader who brings a fresh perspective and a disciplined approach to the challenges and opportunities we face."

Sandoval, who was born in Los Angeles, first witnessed children living in poverty while growing up in Venezuela.

When he returned to the U.S. at age 18, he only had $50 in his pocket. He worked minimum-wage jobs to support his own education at Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Sandoval, who was picked for the new role by a national search committee, described his appointment as "an improbable miracle of God."

Before joining World Vision in 2015, Sandoval served in various leadership positions with The Procter & Gamble Company.

While serving as Procter and Gamble's vice president of global feminine care, Sandoval led the launch of the company's viral #LikeAGirl Campaign, which was aimed at empowering girls and women around the world.

Sandoval said that he and his wife, Leiza, decided to move the the Pacific Northwest and join World Vision in 2015 because they felt a calling from God. The couple had been serving as marriage coaches and lead Bible study sessions at their church, according to Christianity Today.

The incoming CEO said his time with World Vision has allowed him to create a strong bond with children and families that are being served by the charity.

World Vision U.S. raised over $1 billion last year as part of its work, according to a news release. World Vision International Partnership currently has more than 40,000 staff serving children and communities in nearly 100 countries.