‘ Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army! We’ve asked various people to tell us about themselves. This week… ALEX PHILLIPS
Shine, Jesus, shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire!
’
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose? I’d like to meet Queen Mary and ask her about her son, Prince John, who had special needs; also John Langdon Down, who was the first person to describe Down’s syndrome.
Volunteer, Croydon Citadel How did you first come into contact with the Army? Through someone at a special needs dance group that I used to go to. What made you want to volunteer for the Army? I was looking for a new job in catering and Major Christine Piper suggested I should try The Salvation Army in Croydon. What is the most interesting thing about your role? Meeting new people and cooking. What is your favourite kind of holiday? I like holidays with groups of other people, and holidays with my family. If you could be in a film, which would it be? I’d like to be in any musical. I like Mamma Mia!, The Sound Of Music, Hairspray and Fiddler On The Roof.
If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? I can do anything anyone else can do. If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Dark chocolate. What is your favourite food? Meat and fish. What do you do in your spare time? I help with a brownie pack. I also go to the gym and enjoy cycling and going to the cinema. I attend Croydon Citadel, read books and watch DVDs, videos and TV. I do jigsaw puzzles. What is your favourite Bible verse? Psalm 150, because it is all about praising God. ‘Praise the Lord. Praise God in his holy temple. Praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his powerful acts. Praise him because he is greater than anything else. Praise him by blowing trumpets. Praise him with harps and lyres. Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes. Praise him with clashing cymbals. Praise him with clanging cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord’ (New International Reader’s Version). Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Mary. I’d ask her what Jesus was like as a baby.
What is your favourite hymn or worship song? ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine’ by Graham Kendrick. His niece is a friend of mine! Lord, the light of your love is shining, In the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us, Set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me. Shine, Jesus, shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, Flood the nations with grace and mercy; Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light. (SASB 261) If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be? War. Did you have a nickname growing up? Danda. If you could invent a gadget, what would it be? Something to keep all my socks in pairs. Which book would you want on a desert island? Dad’s Army: The Complete Scripts. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Walk away from conflict. What do you consider to be the most valuable thing you possess? My photographs of family and friends. Something interesting you might want to know about me is… I am the middle one of three. My older sister is married and has my nephew, Lucas. My younger brother is married and has my niece, Lila.
