Introducing the Proclaimers of Transformation

As they begin officer training, cadets of the Proclaimers of Transformation session share their testimonies.

William Booth College. I remember the first time I was here. It was not a time of rest, nor did I come for answers: it was a time full of struggle, brokenness and fear for the life of my son, Ryan, in King’s College Hospital.

The college and the wonderful people provided me with a room where we could stay. Students brought us their own food and visited us in the hospital, encouraged us and prayed for us.

By grace, Ryan was healed after a long time, but as I was leaving I looked at the prayer room and I said, ‘Lord, I would like to come back here and stay.’

It’s been nine years. My journey has not been easy but I have, and will, trust God. Today I am here as a cadet with my family. We do not know what awaits us, but we trust God.

As I look back on my life so far, it is clear to see how God has fitted together the different bits of the jigsaw puzzle.

In the summer of 2023, after attending both Together and Territorial Music School, I was challenged on a number of occasions to consider what giving my all to Jesus would look like. Having prayed this through and explored it further with Bethany, it became clear that we had to take a step of faith and start our journey towards officership.

In the intervening months, life has been full of twists and turns as we welcomed our little girl, Emily, into our family and prepared for our move.

But God has been incredibly faithful and his timing is perfect! ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28).

On the Saturday evening of Together 2023, I had a clear vision of standing with Jesus in a circular room filled with open doors. Behind me were doors chained shut – labelled ‘house’, ‘job’ and ‘family’. I said: ‘Look at all the open doors.’ Jesus gestured behind and said: ‘What about those? I want you to open them.

Philip and I went to Territorial Music School, praying for discernment and clarity, and God kept confirming his call. Through conversations, music and preaching, all doubt was gone. That same week, ‘In All I Do’ was sung, and its lyrics – drawn from the Officer’s Covenant – challenged and inspired me deeply.

Romans 12:1 and 2 remind us to offer our whole lives to God. We are not promised an easy road, but I know he will hold me fast, and I’m genuinely excited to step into the future he’s calling us to.

As a Salvationist, I’ve taken part in most roles and activities, and I’ve loved doing God’s work. But I never thought he’d call me to be an officer. I never thought I was good enough.

Despite the anxieties that held me back, I became a community mission facilitator three years ago. I realised that, when I trust and let him, God works in and through my life. God taught me he sees worth in me. Seeing myself through his eyes gave me confidence to grow in my faith.

I realised he was calling me to serve as an officer. Since I’ve responded, he’s filled me with the Holy Spirit. God has been with me through my anxieties and brought me here. There’s plenty to learn and do – in his strength, not my own – but I know he’ll be with me all the way. I can’t wait to get started!

For the past four years I have served as a territorial envoy in the West Midlands Division. I am married to Claire, and we have three sons, Zac, Arthur and Owen. God called me to officership over 25 years ago. Despite my best efforts to run in the opposite direction, God had other ideas.

Looking back, I can clearly see where God has led me and brought me back to his plan. For many years I convinced myself that I didn’t have what it takes to be an officer and that there are far more qualified and better suited people than me. God has taught me in recent years that I simply had to say yes, and that he called me just as I am.

Since then he has guided me and taught me so much. I have seen first-hand the transforming work of our powerful God.

For the past six years, I have had the privilege of teaching in a primary school in Midsomer Norton. I loved the joy and challenges that come with teaching but, in summer 2024, I sensed God calling me into Salvation Army officership. This was both exciting and daunting, as God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters, and I knew this calling would impact us all.

At Design for Life, God confirmed his call by bringing me to Isaiah 44:2 and 3: ‘Do not be afraid … my servant … I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.’ Through this promise, God gave me peace and freedom to say yes to him. While I will miss teaching, I am filled with anticipation to step forwards and see all that God has in store for me and my family.

A couple of years ago, I was questioning the direction of my life when I felt the Holy Spirit moving me to train as a Salvation Army officer.

At the time, this path seemed unlikely and impossible. However, through many conversations and confirmations, God has made this direction for my life very clear. He has been working in both the macro and micro parts of my life, which I can now take into this exciting new chapter for me and my family.

Throughout this journey, I’ve had the constant support of God, friends and family every step of the way.

Last year I arrived at William Booth College from Bognor Regis on a three-year training plan. Through the year, I have completed two different placements with Lewisham Borough where I developed skills in time management, prioritisation and people management. More recently, at Upper Norwood, I have enjoyed Bible study and seeing a totally different way of working.

At the same time, I have completed Open Learning courses in Old Testament studies and doctrine. I have also entered fully into the spiritual formation programme with William Booth College. Overall, this year has equipped me with resilience, confidence and certainty in God’s plan being ever perfect.

As I join the Proclaimers of Transformation, I am looking forward to learning more about everything, getting to know new people, delving deeper into my faith and listening to God.

My leadership journey began when I stepped out in faith from my home corps, believing his promise to me during a Sunday morning meeting. The words ‘no work too hard for him, in faith receive from him’ came through like a thunderbolt and I knew then that God could make it work despite my worries.

Responding to his call brought me to the North Scotland Division, serving for the past 16 years as a territorial envoy in five corps appointments and as a divisional youth specialist.

As I embark upon this new chapter of service as a ‘long-term territorial envoy cadet’, I look forward to exploring new learning and leadership opportunities and also sharing something of my own experiences with the other cadets in the full confidence that the God who called me to this work will be with me all the way. What a faithful God have I.

It was during the Covid-19 pandemic that I felt God call me towards officership, at a time when I had finished university and was wondering what was next in store for me. Never would I have expected God to call me to become a Salvation Army officer!

I struggled with this for years and turned my back on what it was that God really wanted from me, only to be met with some really challenging times. God reminded me of his will for my life during my time working as a mission development leader at Cradley Heath. And so I come to William Booth College as ready as I’ll ever be to serve in the way that he wants me to serve.

I will keep praying. Looking at my life from tender age till now, it has been about saving and serving. I have worked as a fireman and ambulance technician, rescuing and helping those in dire physical conditions. As a bus driver, I served my community, transporting passengers from one place to another with the purpose of them reaching their destinations. I would share uplifting messages to some. To top off these occupations, I ministered to large crowds and congregations as a gospel musician for over three decades, with the intention of them understanding their spiritual journeys and its destination.

My faith journey has equipped me to respond to my officership calling and I thank God for allowing me this training as a cadet at William Booth College. I am ready to drive the gospel full throttle ministering the word of God to his people. Saved to serve.

My calling has been one of persistence in the background over my whole life, my story one of obedience and commitment in many stages over time. After trying to find other ways to listen to God’s calling over recent years, I find myself here, ready and willing to surrender my everything to his calling on my life to officership.

I am ready to answer his call and excited to see the places it will take me and the people I will meet. In that I am committed to staying close to him, learning more about who he is and sharing that with other people. ‘Yet not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22:42).

I’d given my ‘yes’ to God as a territorial envoy and corps leader. In this time, I have laughed, cried and celebrated countless blessings, witnessing his hand at work and lives transformed by Jesus.

At commissioning in Wales last year, I felt the Spirit stirring, calling me to the mercy seat. In that sacred moment, I heard God whisper, ‘Continue to give me your yes.’

Deep within, I knew this was the call to officership – a lifelong commitment, whatever the days ahead may hold. My journey has been a roller coaster, filled with challenges and grace, but I am so grateful for those who have walked alongside me. With anticipation and trust, I look forward to all that God has in store. To him alone I give all praise and glory.