Column from the college

‘J ESUS said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him’ (Mark 1:17 and 18 English Standard Version). When I answered the Lord’s call to officership more than three years ago I can’t say I immediately left my net, but such is the journey of a candidate. Once I’d stopped wrestling with it, the candidate process became intrinsic to my calling. A journey of self-discovery, of a deepening relationship with God and of walking in footprints marked out for me. There is a sense of inevitability, of responsibility, of discipline – and some sense of personal loss – in saying yes to officership, as you leave your career, your home and your friends and family to enter college.

Like the fishermen, tax collectors and tentmakers, the cadets in our session come from all walks of life. Single, married, families, Roma, Pakistani, younger, older – we are part of life’s rich array. We reflect and represent those we must minister to, with no boundaries. We must love, serve and include all with a passion to serve the Lord and bring life in abundance to his people.

We unite as family – not just as the Messengers of Grace but with the Messengers of the Kingdom, the Principal, tutors, pastoral support officers and staff. There is little evidence of ‘us’ or ‘them’.

It may not be as it has always been, but it is relevant, and it is God’s purpose now. We are the ‘whosoever’ of college – teaching, learning, being served and serving. With an emphasis on the ‘knowing, being, and doing’ of true discipleship, we start to become the heart, head and hands of the God we serve.

Walking into the assembly hall for the first time as a session, the chatter subsided into hushed reverence. There is a palpable feeling of blessing in this

A united family of the ‘whosoever’

Cadet Kit Mayston-King looks back at his first term at William Booth College

Kit (centre back) with the wreath-making group

place. A thin place, you sense the years of prayer and devotion, the covenants made, the communion with God and the peace that it brings.

Looking at the sessional flags hanging in the hall you are humbled as your own journey is put into context. You are about to join thousands of Spirit-filled souls who have given their lives to be those heart, head and hands.

It’s an opportunity to experience the college as few people external to it can. Most come to events such as Welcome Weekend and encounter a vibrant place of praise and worship but miss the serenity that we are privileged to experience. Our monthly spiritual days – holy times given over exclusively to be with God and each other – have become precious to us.

Knowing a number of recently commissioned lieutenants and former training staff makes you think you know about college before you get there. ‘It’s too academic’, some say, yet the emphasis is on spiritual development. ‘It’s like living in a goldfish bowl’, yet it’s a safe space to freefall with God. ‘It’s not easy living in community’, yet deep sessional friendships evolve, supporting your ministry.

For cadets who have already led corps it can be challenging. For those of us with years of life experience it is easy to see college as yet another hoop to jump through, but that would be to miss the mark. There is a holistic ministry of college that I struggle to put my finger on, but it challenges and ministers to you, whatever circumstances you find yourself in.

College is different for everyone who experiences it because, just like in our relationship with God, we all engage in unique ways. God speaks to me through creativity, and I have been gifted with creativity as a florist. College gives me the opportunity to use this gift to bring God’s beauty into events such as our welcome meeting and poignancy to our observance of Remembrance weekend. I’ve been able to give thanks for my gift, offering it back to God by teaching others, spending a morning helping a group to make Advent wreaths, enjoying fellowship and mulled fruit punch, and raising money for our international appeal, all at the same time.

College also gives the opportunity to reach into the community on mission placements and at public events, such as the Remembrance commemorations at the Cenotaph.

The highlight of college for me so far has been the carolling. For a horn player of just a few months I truly bring the ‘whosoever’ to the band. But the joy that our playing brings to the community seems to transcend the more dubious joyful noise I make unto the Lord.