Column from the college 12 and

with God

Barbecue on the quad

pizza nights and a game of real-life monopoly, where we raced around London taking selfies.

I have loved learning at WBC. Diving into the Old Testament and discovering the context behind passages has been insightful. The mission studies and sure foundations classes have been exciting and the sessions looking at the Army’s doctrines have brought excitement and challenges. The knowledge and passion of the tutors are something I would love for other people to experience. Many of them have a talent for bringing the Bible to life and changing our understanding of things we’ve looked at differently in the past.

Importantly, we have also focused on spiritual formation and how we can be disciplined in looking after our spiritual wellbeing and our relationship with God.

The Reflectors of Holiness session has been fortunate in the sense that we have had opportunities that our wonderful second-year colleagues missed out on due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mission Placement Week was one of those opportunities. I had the pleasure of being sent to work with Major Janet Martin and Major Catherine Smith at Camberwell Corps. We also have our Personal Initiative Projects, which saw me and three other members of the session join in the chaplaincy team at King’s College Hospital. I could write a book about how much happened during our short time at the hospital, some of it involving side-splitting laughter as well as more serious moments. The opportunity in these projects to work in an environment we are passionate about or want to gain experience in is phenomenal.

Christmas at college was slightly different from the norm, but it would be wrong for me not to mention what a beautiful time of year it was for the residents and staff members. Decorating the college marked the start of the Christmas season for many of us. It was great to be able to sing carols and worship together with everybody as we switched on the lights. Carolling in the community was new to me as I am not musical – but I can’t wait to go out and do it again.

The first term has posed a few challenges, including the pandemic, settling into a new environment, learning to move on from things we loved doing before, essays and late-night library trips – but there has also been an overwhelming amount of blessing, affirmation, laughter, fun, fellowship and friendship.

Most important, though, has been the presence of God in everything that we do. That has made this first term so beautiful. I am sure I speak for all the Reflectors of Holiness when I say that, if you have a call on your life, remember the words of Joshua 1:9. I can tell you from experience: when God is with you, there is nothing to be afraid of.