Stephanie
Martyn
Nazia STEPHANIE WHITE Doncaster I FIRST heard God calling me to officership in 2006. It was a complete surprise and one that I wasn’t willing to entertain. The call came again and again. I didn’t think I had the personality or qualities of an officer but, after the 2016 commissioning, I started to question whether officership was definitely what God was calling me to. I asked God for a lot of confirmation, each time asking for things that I didn’t think would be fulfilled, and each time he met my request. My past had taught me the truth of Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (New King James Version). I eventually answered his calling. Two years later, I am one of his Messengers of Grace. ELLIOT KERVIN Exeter Temple MY journey to William Booth College began when I was invited to the Growing Leaders course in the Devon and Cornwall Division. It was during that weekend retreat I first felt the Lord prompting me. I started to explore it and, in September 2017, I accepted my calling and the process began. I later met Megan, the officer at Bishop’s Stortford: we married in November 2018. A verse given to me even before I knew I was on this journey was 1 Thessalonians 5:24: ‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.’ In the place of full submission, I have found the most blessings.
MARTYN BELLSHAW Glasgow City Centre MY journey towards officership started a long time ago. Through many paths, opportunities and experiences God has been the constant in everything, and I testify to his sustaining power and grace. Perhaps fittingly for my sessional name, I love the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:29, where he extends the invitation to ‘walk with me’ and ‘learn the unforced rhythms of grace’ (The Message). I try to accept this invitation daily. I look forward to this next step, continuing to look for opportunities to share the gospel, walking with Jesus in the rhythms of grace and seeing people come into that amazing relationship with Jesus and embracing his grace for themselves.
NAZIA YOUSAF Lahore Central Hall, Pakistan Territory I ALWAYS felt an empty space in my heart while serving as a nurse. In 2009 this discomfort increased, so I took a break from work to reflect and meditate on God’s will in my life. I believe God spoke to me through Isaiah 40:1–8 and 43:1–3. I literally heard my name: ‘Nazia, comfort my people. Do not fear.’ He spoke to me clearly. He wants me to comfort his people and says I need not fear because he will be with me in all my trials and temptations. Finally I found my calling to be an officer of The Salvation Army. Continued on page 14 i Elliot with his wife, Captain Megan Kervin (Bishop’s Stortford)
Salvationist 28 September 2019
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