The Salvation Army and Me

All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army. We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves. This week…

LIEUTENANT LIZETTE WILLIAMS

(Basildon)

How did you first come into contact with the Army?

I was born into the Army. When my mum was a teenager she came across an open-air meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. She loved the timbrel group so much that she followed them back to the hall.

What made you want to become an officer?

My call to officership comes from a God-given desire to spend my life serving and supporting others.

What is the most interesting thing about being a corps officer?

I love sharing my experience of God and his presence in my life with others, particularly the parents at our parentand-toddler groups.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

A trip to somewhere sunny so I can top up my vitamin D levels!

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?

William Booth. I’d like to know what he makes of the Army today. It has changed so much since his time.

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

Enjoy it!

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

The 100 metres.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?

It would have to be Coca-Cola.

What is your favourite food?

Makayabu (salted cod), rice and beans.

What do you do in your spare time?

What is ‘spare time’? (I have an eight-month-old daughter.)

What languages (apart from English) do you speak?

I speak Lingala and French.

If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?

Bell-bottoms.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

Joshua 1:9. This verse was given to me as I prepared to go to William Booth College to train as an officer. I was worried that I would be the only person from my background there but this verse gave me the confidence to step out in faith: ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

Jacob’s son, Joseph. I would ask him how it felt to be betrayed by his brothers.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘I Will Offer Up My Life In Spirit And Truth’ (SASB 371).

Is there something you’ve never understood?

How evil people can be to each other.

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

Inequality. I want all people to have a fair shot at life.

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be?

Someone I can have a laugh with: my husband, Paul.

If you could invent a gadget, what would it be?

Something that could read a baby’s mind!

Which book (apart from the Bible) would you want on a desert island?

I would take Born A Crime, the autobiography of South African comedian Trevor Noah.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room, what would it be?

‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ by Whitney Houston.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My mum advised me to always get to know and understand people so that we could live peacefully together.

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

My daughter, Martha.