Feature

Naming new heights

Garth Hentzschel discovers an Australian Salvationist who is remembered in Antarctic circles

THE Salvation Army has links to a number of geographical locations around the world – various parks, streets, hills and suburbs, for example. There is, however, one place that few Salvationists will ever get to see: the Gowlett Peaks in Antarctica, named after an Australian diesel engineer who later became an Army officer.

Major Alan Gowlett (pictured right) was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, to a well-known family in the corps. When the Second World War broke out he tried to enlist but, being too young, was unsuccessful. So he moved south to work at the Newport Railway Workshops in Victoria, which had been converted into an aircraft factory.

In April 1943 Alan joined the Australia Imperial Forces. Two years later he saw his first action in the last major battles of the war, during the invasion of Borneo. After the war, Alan became engaged to Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Winifred Steinberg, whose mother was at one stage editor of the Melbourne edition of The Young Soldier. They were married at Hawthorn Corps in February 1950 and the following year Alan joined the Government Scientific Observation Party, which was part of the new Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (Anare) that had been formed in August 1947.

These were the formative years of Antarctic scientific research. Alan was appointed to Macquarie Island, in the southwest Pacific Ocean below New Zealand, as the diesel and electrical engineer and campfire officer.

Alan returned home on the ship Tatton. In 1954 he was chosen to join another expedition with Anare, this time to Mawson Base on the mainland of Antarctica. He arrived just one year after the foundation of the base.

The voyage to nearby Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean took 16 days and the ship experienced heavy seas, which caused some damage. Upon the ship’s arrival in Antarctica, Alan’s first job was to erect an additional ten huts, which went up in the first three weeks. Throughout the remainder of the year more buildings were constructed until there were 19 separate buildings including scientific huts, storage huts, sleeping huts and a new surgery.

In addition to the scientific work on the base, field journeys for experimentation and exploration were conducted.

In December 1955 news reached Australia that a mountain range had been discovered. Some of these mountain peaks were named the Gowlett Peaks in honour of Alan. They are a small group of isolated peaks comprising tall, sharp twin peaks and two close outliers.

Alan assisted the exploration parties, often leaving the base in dangerous polar conditions to maintain the

Ceremony at Mawson Base

equipment. For his work in Antarctica, he received the Polar Medal.

It was while he was in Antarctica that Alan experienced his call to Salvation Army officership. On his return to Australia he learnt that Beth had also received the call to full-time service as an officer.

The Gowletts entered the training college from Hawthorn Corps in March 1958, in the Courageous Session. After their commissioning they served in various parts of Australia in corps as well as social work. They also served in the Caribbean and Central America Territory as managers of the Blind Institute in Kingston, Jamaica. Alan and Beth entered retirement in 1987.

At Alan’s thanksgiving service upon his promotion to Glory in 1998, a tribute was given by Fred Elliott representing the Antarctic expeditions.

In the remotest places on Earth, there are marks of Salvationists’ service in varying ways. For Alan Gowlett’s service to the exploration of Antarctica, there are peaks named in his honour, pointing heavenwards to his God.

Airwaves of love: Broadcasting the good news

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) presenter Dean Heeley talks to Melita Day-Lewis about his work on Christian radio

IF you tune into UCB 2 on DAB radio on a Saturday night, you will hear Salvationist Dean Heeley presenting a three-hour programme of praise and worship music.

This easy-listening show is interspersed with Saturday Scripture, featuring verses of encouragement for the week, and Words of Wisdom, sharing quotes from spiritual leaders or people in the public eye.

‘I often include quotes from Salvation Army leaders,’ says Dean, who worships with his family at Coventry City. ‘We also look ahead to events in politics and sport or new film releases. Then there’s Hymn of the Week, which features a more traditional hymn, often with a background story.’

UCB is an international radio group with a mission to ‘broadcast God’s life-transforming word 24-7, 365 days a year’. Dean, who is a freelance presenter for UCB in the UK, is certainly busy: he lives in Birmingham, works as head of media at a school in the city and records his shows at the station’s studio in Stoke-on-Trent. For about five years he has also spent his summer breaks helping Army media teams in New York, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

For as long as Dean can remember, his ambition was to work in media.

‘When I was about nine years old,’ he recalls, ‘Chalk Farm Band used to lead carol singing on the Blue Peter Christmas show, and my dad arranged for me to be part of the recordings. I was fascinated! I remember thinking “How does this studio get to be in my living room?”’

Dean went on to complete a first-class degree in Media and Communication at what is now Birmingham City University. ‘I loved it!’ he enthuses. ‘The course included practical and theoretical studies in journalism, TV production and media law.

‘After I finished my degree I did four weeks of work experience with Legal TV, a channel on Sky that broadcast programmes to do with law, such as legal news, a phone-in advice show and a Crimewatch-style series called Most Wanted.’ He was offered a job as a researcher, but they invited him to do a screen test and he ended up presenting. After three years things changed and Dean started working as a learning mentor in a school in Birmingham. He is now head of media there, but his desire to be involved in broadcasting remained. About a year ago, he successfully applied to be a freelance radio presenter for UCB.

With three to four months’ experience under his belt, Dean was offered a regular show: Saturday Evening With Dean Heeley. He not only presents for three hours every Saturday night, but produces the programme as well.

‘The preparation can vary depending on what I’m talking about,’ he explains. ‘Maybe an hour or two of production goes into an hour on air.’

Dean was also recently asked to cover UCB 2’s weeknight show, Worship And The Word, for seven weeks. ‘It’s more formal than the Saturday night broadcast,’ he says. ‘Each hour there are about twenty-five minutes of Bible teaching from Christian leaders such as Chuck Swindoll and Rick Warren.’ Both evening programmes are pre-recorded, but Dean has also presented live broadcasts, which he relishes: ‘I don’t think you can beat doing something live because anything can happen! If a button goes down, you press the wrong fader or you don’t bring yourself in, you just have to deal with it. It certainly gets the adrenaline pumping!’ Dean’s knowledge of worship music has grown extensively as a result of his radio work. Before he started with UCB his only experience was of Army band and songster music.

‘I was in Birmingham Citadel Songsters and Band, so I knew Army music quite well,’ he says. ‘Broadcasting with UCB opened up a whole new world!’ UCB listeners will mostly hear contemporary worship music on its two stations, UCB 1 and UCB 2. Dean believes that this style makes it easier for people who are not believers, or people from other faiths, to tune in.

‘Music is a great way to reach people,’ he says. ‘We hear a lot from listeners how the line of a song or the message in a chorus has spoken to them. That’s why UCB exists: to get the message of God across.’

For Dean, the fact that UCB is a charity with no advertising, funded entirely by listeners who believe in its mission, makes it a special place to work.

‘Radio is a powerful medium to share the gospel, a great way to reach millions and millions of people,’ he enthuses. ‘UCB can be listened to right around the world on the website or using the UCB app.’

UCB now broadcasts to more than 53 million people across the country. ‘‘ Radio is a powerful medium to share the gospel and reach millions of people

’’

According to figures from Rajar (Radio Joint Audience Research), the official body in charge of measuring UK radio audiences, more than 150,000 listeners tune into UCB 1 each week.

Dean says that one of the most rewarding things is hearing from listeners about how UCB is making a difference in their lives: ‘We get feedback through emails and on social media. People share their stories or testimonies with us, and some see us as friends and tell us if they need prayer. That is very special.’ On World Radio Day, the United Nations described radio as ‘the most dynamic, reactive, engaging medium there is’. Rajar’s latest numbers certainly back that up: 89 per cent of the adult UK population currently tune into their favourite radio stations each week.

‘With changing technology, people can access content with greater ease,’ says Dean, ‘and that makes it more important to develop Christian broadcasters and stations with a message. The possibilities are endless!’

O UCB 1 and UCB 2 are broadcast on DAB radio. You can also listen to Dean on demand at ucb.co.uk

GLIMPSING GRACE AT WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

Cadets of the Messengers of Grace Session reflect on their callings as they commence officer training

HEATHER CULSHAW Bourne ONE of the most humbling experiences of my life was meeting fellow Christians during the Design for Life weekend in September 2017. It was also when I fully committed to God’s plan and began the journey towards officership. It was a special weekend in which I was able to reflect on God’s provision and unconditional love. One of my favourite books is Glimmers Of Grace. It reminds me of all the times when God is there. We may not always realise it, but he is with us every step of the way! As a new resident at William Booth College, there is a deep sense of contentment in my heart that I am where God wants me to be right now.

JONATHAN CULSHAW Bourne ‘NEVER once did you leave us on our own.’ These words from the song ‘Never Once’ by Matt Redman remind us of God’s faithfulness and his presence with

Heather and Jonathan with Noah and Ella

us in every situation. As I reflect on my calling, this is the deep sense of God’s grace that I feel on my own journey. There have been times when my faith has been tested and when my connection to God has been broken, but he has never left me and never faltered. Carried by his constant grace I enter William Booth College with a feeling that the gifts God so generously gave me will finally be put to use for the purpose he intended.

PORTIA STIRLING-MACK Brighton Bevendean WHEN I first felt God calling me to officership I wasn’t in the best place: my fiancé had just been promoted to Glory two months before our wedding. But after many tears and much prayer God’s call was clear: he told me that the place I was living wasn’t permanent and that he wanted more from me. I loved where I was living back then, but I loved God more, so I spoke to my corps officer and the many interviews began. Now I have moved into the college I am really excited to find out what God has in store for me in the future. He has always been faithful, and I have no doubt that he has new and challenging things planned for me in the years ahead.

Portia Mary and Gavin with Isaac and Farrah

GAVIN DUNN Cambridge Citadel BEFORE Mary and I were married, God called us both on the same day at different corps. That was 12 years ago and it has been quite a journey. I spent time away from God and went through a dark period of depression, but he used people at Cambridge Citadel to bring healing and draw me back into his family. I quickly sensed him calling me to officership again. I feel blessed that we have a God of grace that has given me another chance to follow his call. I’m looking forward to growing in grace and in love over these next two years of training, and to going deeper with God.

MARY DUNN Cambridge Citadel TWELVE years ago Gav and I were called to officership. We began to explore that calling but in 2008 we left the Army. I believed that was the end of our calling. After being invited to attend Cambridge Citadel I quickly found a home and was surrounded by supportive friends who included, involved, loved and encouraged me. I believe God placed me where I needed to be when I most needed it. Gav suggested we attend Design for Life in 2015. I didn’t want to hear what I knew God was saying to me but we went. I could no longer deny my calling. These 12 years have been a long journey to college but I believe that, by his grace, God will use all our experiences for his glory.

Stephanie

Martyn

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

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)

Kit Mayston-King

Dean with his wife, Captain Emily Brill (Balham)

KIT MAYSTON-KING Leytonstone ALTHOUGH a fourth-generation Salvationist, with family roots in Leytonstone, the Army wasn’t for me. I was a confirmed Anglican when corps officer Captain Josh Selfe asked me to help with an all-night prayer vigil. I found myself alone overnight in the hall, and through prayer and Scripture came the presence of God; absolute peace flooded over me. The Lord told me, ‘This is where I want you.’ I had come home. In 2016 I became a soldier, then CSM. The Lord wasn’t finished there. During a visit to Jerusalem, reading Scripture by the Pool of Bethesda, he told me to leave my brokenness behind and follow him; he had work for me. I enter college still answering his call, obedient to one who can do immeasurably more.

DEAN BRILL Merthyr Tydfil MY calling to officership began ten years ago during a celebration in the South and Mid Wales Division. But doubt, stubbornness and fear of not being good enough meant I pursued my own way, qualifying as a secondary school teacher instead. I thank God that he never gave up on me. When I finally said yes to him it was the words of the songs ‘Calling’ and ‘Take My Life’ that he used. A verse of Scripture that I have continued to hold on to from my first calling is: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9). As a

Welshman on this new adventure I cwtch (hug) that verse very close. Bendith! (Blessing!)

DAVID KARICKA Minster and Ramsgate I CAME to England from the Czech Republic in 2002. When my wife, Marie, and I decided to move to England I did not know about Jesus, but a week later we went to a Pentecostal church where I accepted Christ. We met Majors David and Kathryn Blowers at an evangelical concert. They could speak Czech, so we decided to visit their house group and had a wonderful time worshipping God and hearing the word of God in Czech. Our church leaders saw our hearts, so they prayed and talked with David and Kathryn. After that God spoke and the leaders sent us to serve the Armáda Spásy corps in Margate. Two years ago we became territorial envoys at Minster and Ramsgate. From there we were called to be officers. We are blessed.

Marie and David

MARIE KARICKOVA Minster and Ramsgate I AM originally from the Czech Republic and am Gypsy Roma. When I came to the UK in 2002 I didn’t know Christ. In the Czech Republic I experienced racism but when I came to church here in the UK I felt God’s love from the children of God, regardless of my background or ethnicity. I didn’t know that God had a plan for me, but now I know that he has called me to become a cadet. He has called me to be a pioneer. My husband and I are the first Roma cadets to be at William Booth College. It is a great blessing.

KATIE SINCLAIR Newtown I’M from a non-Christian background and found God not long after I started volunteering in the Army charity shop in Newtown seven years ago. The people there showed me the real meaning of Christian family, helped me to grow in my faith and supported me in my calling. I didn’t know much about God or the kind of relationships people could have with him when I first discovered church, but now I understand and have my own relationship with the Father. My calling was gradual. It clicked for me through a Bible study I did with the college. Over the past year I have been on a

gap year that has allowed me to explore Army leadership and my calling.

JOEL WATSON Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls REACHING this stage in my walk with God has felt like a long time coming, but during these early days of being united as a session, it appears more and more that the name Messengers of Grace affirms God’s calling and placement upon each of us for the time that is now. ‘Grace’ is the word I have often used to summarise my journey of faith, and I know that it is God’s grace alone that has brought me to this place. I hold so much excitement for these next two years, with many things to look forward to, and I take with me the message that Paul and Barnabas gave in Acts 13:43: ‘Remain steadfast in the grace of God’ (The Voice).

Joel with his fiancée, second-year cadet Emily Price Craig with Tabby

CRAIG BATES Portsmouth Citadel I HAVE soldiered at Portsmouth Citadel my whole life. Before college I led the worship band and youth group and was a member of the band and songsters. I felt called to officership six years ago but tried to do things my own way rather than give God control. Once I started seeking God’s will in everything in my life I began to progress in following his call. My testimony is simply that if we trust God and give him control he is faithful to his promises. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 have become verses for me to live by. Throughout my journey towards officership, the love and support I have received from the corps, my family and my girlfriend, Tabby, have been amazing.

SUSAN SHORLAND-COMPTON Sleaford ‘SECOND chances can transform a person’s life, especially when the second chance comes from God.’ This quote by Patricia Raybon from Our Daily

Susan with her husband, David Bread is true for me. Having set out to become a Salvation Army officer many years ago, I am now able to respond to my calling and fulfil God’s will for my life with the support of my husband, David, and son, William. We have been encouraged and uplifted by how God has cleared the way to make this journey together possible. Having spent many years in the military and as a registrar of births, deaths and marriages, I now look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that I will encounter as one of the Messengers of Grace. ‘‘ We have been encouraged and uplifted by how God has cleared the way to make this journey together possible

’’

JAMES PEGG Wellingborough MY testimony is of a God who has been, and continues to be, faithful. I started the application process to train as a Salvation Army officer at the age of 17 after clearly being called by God to surrender my life and live so that I may help others experience the transformational love of Jesus. Over the years God has been faithful in developing who I am and providing experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. As I enter William Booth College with my wife, Sophie, who is a teacher at a school in Southwark, I will continue to trust in a faithful God as he invites me to join him in his mission to bring people closer to Jesus.

James with his wife, Sophie

The parable of the rich fool

Major Liesl Baldwin calculates the value of investments

STUDY PASSAGE: LUKE 12:13–34

WHEN planning a trip abroad, you will no doubt try to get hold of at least some foreign currency for the country you are visiting. At some point on the trip, you will likely wonder, ‘How much would this be worth in pounds sterling?’ It may be a very serious mental calculation or you may decide it doesn’t really matter. After all, you’re on holiday. Spoil yourself! No matter who we are, value is important to us – to be able to weigh up what something is worth. The parable of the rich fool comes in response to someone weighing up a large sum, a matter of inheritance. ‘Teacher,’ a man called out to Jesus, ‘tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me’ (v13). In those days, the general rule was that an older brother would get double that of his younger brother (see Deuteronomy 21:17). We can safely guess that, in the eyes of this man, the question of how his father’s estate would be divided was still unsettled. Had a sense of unfairness prompted a younger brother to ask Jesus to arbitrate for a fairer share? Or was this a disgruntled firstborn, looking for someone to defend his right?

We don’t know for sure, but this seemed largely irrelevant to Jesus. Instead of providing an arbiter, Jesus met the man’s frustration, anger or potential grief by drawing him into a parable.

The context around this parable matters because Gospel writer Luke places it within a day ‘when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another’ (see Luke 12:1). In the presence of this enormous crowd, Jesus makes the specific choice to speak ‘first to his disciples’, encouraging them to live transparent lives, always aware of their intrinsic worth before God. It is then that ‘someone in the crowd’ (v13) calls out to him. Now they are all listening. After all, everyone can identify with injustice.

QUESTIONS O Have you ever asked Jesus to stand up for you because you feel someone has done you an injustice? O How much is getting your own way really worth?

Jesus invites us to respond in a different way. To get what we want, we need to let go of what we have.

It seems that for all his riches, the fool in the parable did not realise that he actually owned nothing. When his life came to an abrupt end, the thick investment portfolio that had defined

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Melvyn Knott SUNDAY For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

(Colossians 1:9 and 10)

MONDAY Come to our hearts and bless,/ Give strength and happiness,/ And every good./ Direct and safely lead,/ Supply each daily need/ For thought and word and deed,/ Most gracious God. (SASB 574)

TUESDAY May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13)

Prayer Heavenly Father, you know every decision I need to make and every challenge I will face. Freely give me your wisdom for these times.

his existence became utterly worthless. This is what happens with those who are only rich towards themselves and not to God.

After recounting this story, Jesus turns to his disciples and says: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink… the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well’ (vv22–31).

On one level, the story can make sense to anyone: ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own’ (v15 New Living Translation). For the disciples, there is a deeper application. He has already challenged them about living transparent lives, with no hidden stuff. For them, the parable isn’t only about the dangers of greed but

also about the essence of what it means to be a child in God’s Kingdom.

Read verses 22 to 34. As the King’s children, how we calculate the worth of something is fundamentally different from the currency used by the crowd. The worth of what we have – or our need for what we don’t have – is measured in the context of our relationship with God.

Our heavenly Father knows the value of our life and feeds us and clothes us. He knows what we need and gives us the Kingdom. As Paul writes in Romans 8:17, we are co-heirs with Christ and therefore share in Christ’s glory, as well as his sufferings.

If we allow these truths to shape the way we hold our possessions, we will begin to understand God’s own Kingdom currency. The exchange rate is altogether different; when we give away, we actually gain. In God’s currency, our treasure will be safe; ‘no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it’ (v33 NLT). It will outlive us.

QUESTION O How might this parable shape your willingness to trust God in your daily life?

That ‘someone’ in the crowd remains nameless. However, God knows each of us by name. He invites us to trust him with everything we have – and don’t have.

MAJOR BALDWIN IS TUTOR AND PASTORAL SUPPORT OFFICER, WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY Lord, my will I here present thee/ Gladly, now no longer mine;/ Let no evil thing prevent me/ Blending it with thine./ Lord, my life I lay before thee;/ Hear this hour the sacred vow;/ All thine own I now restore thee,/ Thine for ever now. (SASB 602)

THURSDAY This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

(Titus 3:8)

FRIDAY Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;/ Be thou mine inheritance now and always;/ Be thou and thou only the first in my heart;/ O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure thou art! (SASB 573) SATURDAY Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5 and 6)