Interview 8 and

Divisional Leader for Leader Development Major Mandy White (Devon and Cornwall) tells Salvationist about the Growing Leaders course

Growing Leaders and young leaders graduation, 2018

Mandy with Nicola, Nat, Matthew and Andrew on the 2022 course

Between the sessions participants are encouraged to connect with their mentor on a monthly basis. On the last Saturday of the course, corps officers, mentors and family members also attend and we have a buffet tea and a graduation service. We present people with a certificate and a discipleship book or leadership book that reflects where they are on their journey.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ATTEND?

We’ve done a youth course, which is often for under-18s. But for those who are aged 18 and over, I normally ask corps officers if they have anybody with leadership potential or who is in a local officer position or assistant role whose awareness of what it means to be a leader could be developed by the course. We then have an evening when people can come and hear about it, often from others who have been on the course.

We’ve had teachers, people not in employment, corps officers, candidates, students, summer school staff members – a mixture. Our most recent course included two officers, Captains Andrew and Nicola Hammond (Raynes Park), who were there to help their development and so they could run the course themselves. There was also a new Christian, Nat, who has linked up with St Ives Corps and is helping with their youth project and Matthew from St Austell Corps, who’s got a real calling for spiritual leadership. He’s a fairly new Christian who got amazingly saved.

HOW HAVE PEOPLE RESPONDED?

They love to share their own experiences and learn from each other. They are grateful that somebody has invested in them and are often bowled over by the fact that God has created them to be who they are and that they’ve got gifts and skills. That gives them a real sense of release and empowerment.

Small group discussion, 2018

For more information about Growing Leaders contact amanda.white@salvationarmy.org.uk or go to cpas.org.uk

MY EXPERIENCE OF GROWING LEADERS…

LIEUTENANT ELLIOT KERVIN

PAISLEY CITADEL I joined the course shortly after taking on leadership responsibilities at Exeter Temple and in the divisional youth team. I thought it would just teach me how to be a leader and do the things that a leader does. It did teach leadership principles based upon the life of Jesus but, more than that, it also encouraged me to explore the type of leader that God had designed me to be and was calling me to be. It was during the course that I felt the Lord working in my life, calling me to spiritual leadership.

ESTHER STANBURY

REDRUTH I did the course after others showed belief in me. It encouraged me to look at how God could best use me in the role that I have within the corps and my life in general. I wanted to know how my faith in God could help me be more confident and encouraging to others. The course made me look at the things I do well and the things that I don’t. It showed me that I don’t need to be great at everything but that I can encourage and be supportive of others, with Jesus at the centre of my life. Growing Leaders showed me how small changes can achieve great things.