I can say that I live with peace and joy, despite the trials, because God is greater than any problem
want to go, but they insisted that I did. When I got there, Monchu preached and talked about Jesus and his wonderful work for us. His words reached my heart so directly and encouraged me so much. It was at that very moment that God decided to turn my life around, because I then understood that he had used that pastor to bring me to him. Now I can live my life with Jesus in my heart because I have understood God’s infinite love. I can say that I live with peace and joy, despite the trials, because God is greater than any problem. My wife, Francesca, and I are serving as officers and God is blessing us so much. It is a beautiful thing to be able to serve God for ever. To God be the glory!
MAJOR VERONICA CHIOMA OKPALAIHEDI Divisional Director for Women’s Ministries, Anambra West Nigeria Territory ON 5 August 1992, as a young girl, I was weeding my aunt’s garden. Suddenly I heard a voice: ‘Do you know I can weed and beautify your life, just like you are weeding and beautifying this garden?’ I turned to see who was speaking, but I found no one. The voice said: ‘Allow me to weed your life.’ I asked: ‘Who are you? What have I done?’ Then I said reluctantly: ‘Come and do whatever you want to do.’ I felt a strange atmosphere and found myself kneeling in the garden and pleading in tears for God’s mercy. I heard God saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ (Jeremiah 1:5). I knew I was having an encounter with God, so I surrendered my life to him. The joy of the Lord became my strength and ever since that time I have been walking with him. Even though sometimes I fail, he is always there to pick me up. God is amazing. A few years later I had the call of God upon my life. I came from a poor, humble background and didn’t know that God could call people like me for mission. During an Easter retreat in 1995, an altar call was made for those God was calling for full-time ministry in The Salvation Army. The urge was strong in me, but I refused to give in and asked God to change this plan for me. Then someone from the congregation
said: ‘Be obedient to the voice of God.’ They led me to the mercy seat, where I surrendered to the will of God. I then realised why Jeremiah 1:5 was given to me on the day of my conversion. I got married in April 1996 and my husband and I entered the training college in 1997. After our commissioning we were sent to a corps where we received this greeting: ‘So many captains and majors have resigned and some have died, what can lieutenants like you do?’ Well, this amazing God used us to break boundaries. Muslim families were converted and lives were transformed by God. We neither resigned nor died! We have served as officers for 24 years and several times he has delivered me from the dungeon of death. I want to introduce people to this God who transformed my life and made me his instrument. He can do amazing things in your life as well!
WHAT IS THE ICO? Located at Sunbury Court, the ICO exists to further officers’ personal and leadership development. It provides an environment for them to flourish spiritually through teaching, prayer, worship and fellowship.
Salvationist 21 May 2022
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