Territorial envoys 10 and take the lead

JOHNATHAN BROWN DEAL WITH MINSTER

I WAS just a gardener. But with God, you are never just anything. With God, we are always something more. Well, that’s what I came to realise, anyway. I always wanted to be a gardener, and I never knew God. I went looking for love on a dating site and got so much more than I thought I would ever get. I managed to find a girlfriend who is now my wife. What is even better is that I got the greater love of God. I didn’t know him, but he knew me and had plans for me. He showed me that he loved that I cared for his plants but that, actually, he needed me to look after his creation in a different way, and that was to care for his people. I would love to say it’s been easy, but it hasn’t. God is involved and has a sense of humour. I have always been that person who says ‘that’s not me’, but from the day I walked through the citadel door, he called me onwards even if I didn’t know where that would be. The hardest but best thing I have ever done is say ‘yes’ to God.

EMMA SCOTT

ASSOCIATE OFFICER, FOREST OF DEAN I JUST fell into it! I came to the Army about eight years ago. I was a single mum and an alcoholic. I’d come out of a domestic abuse relationship and my social worker encouraged me to come here and make friends.

I’d been brought up a Methodist and I’d been in and out of church all my life, but it never felt right. When I came to Forest of Dean there was something about corps officer Major Viv Prescott that made me want to explore more about God.

I became an adherent as I wanted to show my recommitment to God. That wasn’t enough, so I became a soldier. But even that wasn’t enough. I had this bigger calling that I needed to serve God more. I didn’t know what that was, so I went to Design for Life.

It felt like a veil was being lifted and I saw the real me for the first time – the way God had always seen me. He showed me that I was being called into officership, which was scary.

I started the process, but there were things put in the way, so I looked at becoming a territorial envoy. In a way, I just fell into it!

WHAT DO TERRITORIAL ENVOYS DO?

Territorial envoyship offers a great opportunity to serve in spiritual leadership. The day-to-day work and ministry of a territorial envoy serving as a corps leader is similar to that of a corps officer.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Territorial Candidates Directors Majors Andrea and Mark Sawyer answer some questions about being a territorial envoy.

WHO CAN BECOME A TERRITORIAL ENVOY?

It is open to all soldiers between the ages of 18 and 65.

HOW LONG DOES A TERRITORIAL ENVOY SERVE FOR?

Territorial envoys sign up and commit to a minimum of three years’ service with many serving longer following that experience. Some serve in their own division, while others move to different areas to work and minister.

HOW DO I BECOME A TERRITORIAL ENVOY?

Talk to your corps officer and they will link up with your DHQ and talk about the best way forward.

There are hundreds of corps and centres in our territory, but what makes them The Salvation Army? In this series we discover just that! We are more than a place to stay

says Willow House Lifehouse chaplain Major Edwina Cussen

Go and do something, Get something done, Was the Founder’s appeal To his eldest son.

THIS is a quote from a poem by Walter Windybank that I used to recite many years ago. Today my ‘getting something done’ is as a chaplain in two Reading-based Lifehouses alongside my husband, Major James Cussen. Willow Lifehouse and Shepton House Lifehouse provide vital temporary accommodation for people who find themselves experiencing homelessness in the town. supporters of The Salvation Army – that it seems wrong that this no longer happens. To a degree I understand, but please be assured that dealing with homelessness is so much better when working with others who have a similar mindset to that of The Salvation Army.

Shepton House came under our management when the new contract was awarded to the Army. It has accommodation for 20 individuals. They live in flats with their own bedrooms but share a kitchen and bathroom with up to three people.

Willow House, meanwhile, has been a Salvation Army Lifehouse for many years. Over this time, we have adapted the building to offer the best support possible. Here we can accommodate up to 47 people – individuals, couples and even pets. At present we have three dogs, a house cat and a snake.

No one ever wakes up one morning and makes a conscious decision to become homeless, and every person staying with us has a story about why they need to be here. The journey for each person is as varied as the reasons for why they find themselves without a home. We can show them the choices they have but, ultimately, it is their choice that is important. Being available

Coral and Susan

When I received my appointment as chaplain, I was very uncertain. I’d heard stories – you cannot talk about Jesus; you cannot pray with people! None of these, in my experience, is true. We pray regularly with anyone who asks. Each day begins with a thought and a prayer with the staff members. And I am constantly amazed at the privileges that are mine.

I am old enough to remember calling the local hostel to arrange a bed for someone who turned up on the doorstep needing somewhere to sleep, and it has been mentioned to me on more than one occasion – by Salvationists and

Some of the support team