ON RETURNING HOME -Part Two -

I am a person who is organised, likes to know what is happening each day, can’t bear surprises and needs to know where I stand.

My application for re-acceptance commenced back in September, although I had spoken with my Divisional Commander before then about the possibility of returning to ministry. I have had DHQ interviews and a new process is now in place for all candidates applying for Salvation Army Officership. I had to go through a Psychological and Psychosexual screening test and had to go to a re-accepted conference in London. This consisted of several interviews, role play, preaching a sermon, questions asked by an interview panel and I was able share my experiences of past, present and future hopes. Then the recommendation of the interview panel had to be presented to the Officer Review Board at THQ. I waited several weeks for this outcome, which seemed to take forever, as we had the Christmas period in between, but, praise God, 8 weeks later I was thrilled to hear that I was now re-accepted and would be receiving my "marching orders" next week !

On 12th February, I was appointed to plant a neo (new expression of salvation army) in the East Hull area. I cannot put into words how I feel, but know God is already and has been for some time preparing the way. I have just joined the gym in the area where I am going to work and already having some interesting conversations with people. Having worked in this area before I am now coming into contact with a different generation of people and piecing together family members I have not met before. I worked as a Youth Worker before I commenced working at the hospice for 3 years and had the privilege of working with a young girl who struggled to connect with school and who seemed to get in with the wrong crowd. To cut a long story short this young lady is now, living independently, has gained qualifications to A level standard, has taken exams in drama and is now working as a Youth Leader. It was this young ladies mother I met in the gym, who gave me an up to date account of her daughters life. I was able to share with her about my new appointment to the area she shared with me some of the things that she liked to do and what was already happening, she shared her dream of being able to support others through her own gifts of creative writing. I quickly asked for her contact details, and thanked God for my first recruit!

There are so many exciting things happening in Hull, and I believe it’s the ‘best’ city to live and claim the land for God. There is a real togetherness with the local clergy and the churches are seen as working together for the good of the Kingdom.

I pray the words of our founder William Booth:-

To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire today!
O see us on your altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray,
Send the fire today, Send the fire today.



Remember,” Never let the sense of past failure defeat your next step”! (Oswald Chambers)

Many blessings,
Tracey Oliver ('Former', soon to be active SA officer UK Territory)