what God has in store Pictures: Captain Petr Janoušek
Children’s Ministries Unit, with Children’s Specialist (Leader Development) Tracy Wood speaking about how good leaders develop leaders. She introduced ‘withness’, a model of being with young people and providing support alongside them. Highlighting the resources available to youth workers, including the Raise training course, Tracy advocated for the need to invest in the Church of now and tomorrow, helping young people to become leaders with purpose, character, confidence and humility. Tracy, who is also the YPSM at Chatham, shared personal anecdotes of young people carrying out successful fundraising efforts, while videos showed young people helping at corps and taking on responsibilities. One video featured Courtney, a member of Chatham Sunday school, who said: ‘I can be a leader and that’s who I want to be. I don’t need to be who someone else tells me to be.’ ‘We shouldn’t try to mould young people to be like us,’ Tracy emphasised, before highlighting young people in the Bible, such as Esther, Samuel and Josiah, who went on to become leaders and influencers. ‘As the world changes, we shouldn’t be content with leading as we’ve always led,’ said Tracy. ‘What does it look like to build a world of vibrant and passionate young leaders?’ Youth activities and sessions took place during the afternoon, helping children and teenagers discover who God has created them to be. In the final worship meeting of the day some of the young people shared what they had learnt about God’s presence and protection. They led the congregation in singing ‘Be Bold, Be Strong’, complete with actions. It was a fitting climax to a day that had begun with Lieut-Colonel Judith recalling a line from the animated Disney movie The Lion King, when Mufasa tells his son, Simba: ‘You are more than what you have become.’ ‘It’s exciting to know that God isn’t finished with any of us yet,’ she said, as she brought the day to a close. She thanked the college team and the music sections for making the day possible, before thanking everyone who attended for ‘being who they are’. The congregation meditatively sang ‘In Thee, O Lord, Do I Put My Trust’ before guest Colonel Jenine Main shared a prayer. As people exited the hall, words from the final congregational song, ‘Build Your Kingdom Here’, summed up the day: ‘You made us for much more than this.’
Tracy Wood
YP testimonies
Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne
Major David Alton and Major Janet Robson
Una Voce
DELEGATES’ TESTIMONIES ALI JAMES, THETFORD TERRITORIAL ENVOY APPLICANT After previously attending Design for Life at William Booth College, I came back for Exploring Leadership Day to soak in the atmosphere. It’s great to know that there are all these people you are willing on, and to know that they are willing you on as well. That’s what I love about The Salvation Army – it’s a family that grows.
DANIEL JONES, BOLTON CITADEL ACTING CORPS SECRETARY I have long felt God’s calling on my life but I hardened my heart and kept saying ‘I’ll do it later’. Today was an opportunity to surrender myself anew and turn my ‘not now, Lord’ into a ‘here am I, send me’. I’ve spent my career to date on the railway, where the focus is on making journeys better. Today really underlined for me that I can still make journeys better – the life journeys of the people my ministry brings to Jesus.
Salvationist 23 April 2022
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