a bus while riding a bicycle and found himself in hospital. He says: ‘This incident caused me to make a U-turn back to God.’ It also caused damage to his right hand, which made it difficult to play the guitar. David stopped playing in the band and became a youth leader at his corps. God saved him from serious injury and he realised that God had a different road for him to follow. David entered the training college in 1993 in the Messengers of Hope Session and was commissioned in 1995. He married Lieutenant Elsa Aquino in May 1995. He says: ‘She is the best life partner for me!’ Together they share in ministry as divisional leaders.
MAJOR GENE HOGG, USA SOUTHERN The major’s childhood was a challenging one. He was homeless, along with his parents and three siblings, until he was eight years old. They lived in his father’s
‘He did not know who Jesus was, but as the officer gave an altar call Gene knew he wanted the love that Jesus had to give him. That night he accepted Christ’ salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk
‘I touch eternity every day, knowing that through the power of Christ and the influence of the Army, I am affecting the course of history one life at a time’ car in the southern part of America. In addition to these challenges, his father – who was an artist – was an alcoholic. During a Sunday night service at The Salvation Army in Memphis, Tennessee, Gene found something he didn’t have before. He did not know who Jesus was, but as the officer gave an altar call Gene knew he wanted the love that Jesus had to give him. That night he accepted Christ, and his search was over for someone who would really love him. After he came to faith, he attended all the meetings and youth programmes he could at Memphis Southside Corps. He also went to summer camp at Paradise Valley in Kentucky. It was during these years – at the age of 13 – that he felt called to be a Salvation Army officer. Gene entered the training college in 1983 from Savannah, Georgia, as a member of the Guardians of the Truth Session. One day during training he met the woman he knew he was going to marry – although Rebecca didn’t know that at the time! But he won her heart, and they married in 1985. They have a six-year-old daughter, Kimberly. His face glows when he talks about her. The major testifies about what is his greatest joy as an officer: ‘I touch eternity every day, knowing that through the power of Christ and the influence of the Army, I am affecting the course of history one life at a time.’ The major presently serves as Area Commander, Fort Lauderdale Area Command, Florida.
MAJOR SUNDARA BAI SELVAM, INDIA SOUTH EASTERN Major Sundara grew up in a family of six children, of which she is the second daughter. She attended the Salvation Army corps at Thenguvilai in the Kulasekharam Division. Very early in her life Sundara had a desire to become a Salvation Army officer. However, that changed after she finished her education. Because of her love of sports and the accomplishments she attained through them, she became a police officer. Soon after this decision she was faced with a medical problem with her eye, and lost her sight. She wondered if this
‘She dedicated herself to the ministry God had called her to’ was a result of her decision not to be a Salvation Army officer. So, once again, she dedicated herself to the ministry God had called her to. She received healing for her eye problem and committed her way to the Lord. Sundara made application for the training college and was accepted as a cadet. She was commissioned as an officer in 1984 as a member of the Guardians of the Truth Session. During her time at the training college God gave her a life partner, Yacob. Together they are beginning their 29th year of service. They have three children, all of whom have completed their nursing education and are now employed. The major is presently serving as District Officer for Women’s Ministries, Erode District. Q
SALVATIONIST 1 September 2012
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