‘Joy is one of my favourite words’

As she retires, Assistant Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Major Christine Kingscott shares her testimony

IFIRST came to the Army when I was about seven. I was invited along from an open-air meeting and went to Sunday school. Although I was about seven and a half when I made the decision to follow Christ, it was when I was 16 – and thinking about senior soldiership – that I really felt the presence of God.

helped me address is loneliness. We were stationed at Ireland DHQ during the Covid-19 pandemic and we couldn’t come home, we couldn’t see loved ones. We were visiting people on their doorsteps, offering support and making sure they were OK. It was hard. But the biggest thing was knowing that I wasn’t alone – God was with us. He was there.

What made you want to become a soldier?

The influence of my Salvationist parents. I saw in them what it truly meant to be a soldier in God’s Army.

If you had a slogan for your life, what would it be?

Never mind, go on!

What is your favourite Bible passage?

Romans 8:37–39 (Good News Bible):

‘In all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love...’

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘I Know Thee Who Thou Art’ (SASB 79).

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be? Sir David Attenborough. With all his knowledge of the planet, I would have loads of questions for him.

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

My dad said to me on numerous occasions: ‘Keep your powder dry and remember who you belong to.’

What is something interesting that people might not know about you?

I was the musical director of Backworth Male Voice Choir for three years. During that time the choir took part in the 2012 film Song for Marion, featuring Terence Stamp and Vanessa Redgrave.

As a child, you can just see God as somebody who’s far away. You hear stories of judgement and things like that. But as I’ve grown in my relationship with God, I’ve come to know him very personally. He’s actually living inside me, and my faith has deepened.

I am grateful to God for my lovely family and lovely grandchildren, and for being my faithful God throughout many times when maybe it’s not been so certain.

As I retire, I know God is going to keep working in my life. One of the things I’m looking forward to is having more time to read, maybe delving into some of those harder, more theological books. Things are going to be different, but it really is just trusting him for the future d k keeps you know, that was lan, because those skills useful time and seeing what he has to offer. After nearl ly 40 years f of miiniistry, I’ll l wakke up and ask , ‘What will I do?’ But I know God will be in that.

I was called to officership not much older than 16. I’d always wanted to be a nurse. So I said to God, ‘If you let me do my best, I’ll think about it.’ Once I’d qualified, that call hadn’t gone away –I found that God just keeps nagging! I realised that, you know, that was part of God’s plan, because those skills have kicked in and been useful time and time again.

I like Proverbs 3:5: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart.’ Over time, I’ve really realised what it means to trust in him. You feel his presence, you live in it. I can’t describe it, but it is a sense of joy. Joy is one of my favourite words – it’s so much more than happiness, because it’s about something that bubbles away inside you. It doesn’t mean you’re always happy. You may be going through difficult times, but there is a sense of joy in God’s presence. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges my faith has s 3:5: ‘Trust in the ur heart.’ Over realised what it him ou live in it. I can’t it is a sense of of my favourite more ause ething way oesn’t ways y gh e