Column from the college

Easter campaign

Cadet Ali Brooks reflects on the wonder of Easter

HOLY Week was a time of reflection at William Booth College as each morning we joined together in worship and considered Jesus through the overarching theme of The Servant King. Each day we looked at different aspects: Jesus ‘served by friends’, ‘sought by strangers’, ‘sold to enemies’ and ‘shown to everyone’. Tutors Captains Lynley and Stephen Oliver guided us through the week using the Servant Songs of Isaiah, John’s Gospel and Colossians 1, to help us enter into the drama of those events for ourselves. What stood out for me was the realisation, once again, that Jesus invites us to come to the table, no matter who we are. Then we need to walk out of the darkness into the light to share his love and join him in spreading his message of salvation.

From Maundy Thursday the cadets of both sessions split into groups and went to spend Easter with a number of corps: Clapton, Stoke Newington and Dalston Plants, Jersey, Louth, Lowestoft Citadel, Lowestoft South, Penge, Port Glasgow, Maplethorpe, Market Rasen and Teddington. We all felt privileged to be able to join these corps and to participate in their ongoing ministries and programmes in a fulfilling way.

The various teams shared in ministry ranging from Maundy Thursday reflections, Good Friday walks of witness, Messy Church, beach outreach

activities, feeding homeless people with a full roast dinner and supplying clothing. Of course, this all culminated in Easter Day celebrations.

The message of Easter was highlighted in many different themes. Ours was See: See The Cross, See The Man, See The Tomb, See Jesus.

The most memorable part of the weekend for me was joining the sunrise service at Lowestoft on Easter morning at 5.30. More than 100 Christians from different denominations met at Ness Point (the most easterly point in England). We watched as the sun rose from a small sliver of light on the horizon to its full glow. It was amazing as the sky turned from pink to gold and the sea from grey to silver. This was the same sun that rose on the Saviour that first Easter Day and I was standing under its light. At that point nothing else mattered – I felt his presence completely.

At the same time the temperature increased and the chill of the night disappeared. I came to understand in a new way that just as the sun had risen, so had the Son of God and the cold of death holds no fear for me and anyone else who accepts him as Saviour and Lord. Because Jesus rose from the dead he is alive now and I have been set free. Jesus is my redeemer and I love him with all my heart. One day I will meet him face to face but until that time I will serve as he asks me to, with joy in

my heart through the good and the bad. I know there were many high points for all the cadets; we all felt welcomed and loved as we joined with different corps across the territory in prayer, reflection and worship. Although each corps is different and uses gifts in many different ways we all give thanks to our wonderful God, who brought Heaven to Earth through his death and resurrection. He opens the gate of love and salvation to us if we accept this truth, repent, acknowledge he is our redeemer, and welcome him into our lives.

My prayer for us all is that we open our hearts and lives to live for him and serve him as our Lord and King until he calls us Home.