Cornelius the centurion is referred to in chapters 10 and 11 of the Acts of the Apostles. He was the first gentile that we know to be converted to Christianity. His conversion by Peter causes the apostle to issue one of the most remarkable statements in the history of world religion and marks the point when Christianity begins its significant theological departure from Judaism in the practice of evangelism: "Truly I see that God shows no partiality." In other words, and for the first time in history, a religion exists that is not for or by one single culture, but is open to all regardless.
[A centurion was a soldier who was in charge of approximately 100 troops. The modern equivalent would be a captain in the army or United States Marine Corps.]
O God, by your Spirit you called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles; Grant to your Church such a ready will to go where you send and to do what you command, that under your guidance it may welcome all who turn to you in love and faith, and proclaim the Gospel to all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.