She had relapsed and this time felt genuine remorse for her actions. Maybe it was caused by the emptiness felt since her father’s death at age 5, or perhaps it was because of her new boyfriend (a drug addict himself and currently attending our church with his mother). Whatever it was that triggered the relapse she knew she had hurt her mom, and 2 brothers, but most of all realized this brand new relationship with Christ meant things could be different. I asked her how things were going and she proudly shared that she had been reading the Max Lucado Study Bible secured on that second visit to our church. She said she’s been journaling about God, and sharing about her new life with new friends at the rehab.
She introduced me to the guard who had recognized me when I first came in, followed by her new best friend, a woman who was searching for God. “This is my pastor, Pastor Jeff, you would like it at our church.”
Before I knew it the hour was up and we spent the last 60 seconds praying that God would continue the work of healing and grace He had begun in her a few weeks ago.
On June 7, 1987 I signed my Officer Covenant which said…
CALLED BY GOD
to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
as an officer of The Salvation Army
I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT
to love and serve him supremely all my days,
to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life,
to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God's grace to prove myself a worthy officer.
Almost 2 years ago Jessica and I sensed that God was leading us into new opportunities and possibilities to fulfill the covenant we made while kneeling at the altar in front of our Saviour, our session mates, the Territorial Commander, and our Training Principal. In an attempt to validate this change to many who still serve as officers I have continued to compare our new ministry to the years we served as officers.
It is different…not better, not worse, not more spiritual or less ordained…just different.
As we enter into the Advent season I thank God every day for The Salvation Army and the special impact it will have on millions of people this year. And now I can also thank God every day for our new little church Living Water Church Ministries, knowing that we may only minister to one recovering crack head, but it’s what He has called us to do!
Blessings!
Jeffery BassettJeffery is the Founding Pastor of Living Water Church Ministries. He has a BS in Bible and MS in Organizational Leadership from Philadelphia Biblical University where he teaches as an adjunct professor. Jeffery is employed full time by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association where he serves as the Director of Development.
Living Water Church Ministries
1813 Central Avenue
Wall, NJ 07719
USA 1-732-280-1690
pastor@livingwaterchurchministries.org
11 comments:
It's always exciting to read of God's leading in the lives of former officers and how the Covenants are lived out subsequent to moving out in faith to new avenues of service.
Our fellowship is approaching 250 members worldwide. Most of our communication is of a private nature and takes place in a 'closed' site. The stories and comments often speak of what type ministry our members are serving in, and the difficulties and challenges faced when leaving the security provided individuals and families by TSA.
In the near future a new feature will serve to introduce our members and share with our visitors the remarkable ministry these SA trained, and committed persons are providing today. I believe many visitors will be quite surprised and well impressed.
Blessings !
Blog Administrator
Hi Jeffery,
I know what you are talking about. My last appointment was at William Booth House - Australia's largest residential Drug & Alcohol rehab. I absolutely loved it. It was so hard leaving that work. The way lives are changed doing that work impacted me so profoundly. The number of times I was able to lead people into a new relationship with God.
I now study Psychology at the University of East London. A big part of the reason I do so (apart from the fact I LOVE the subject), is so that I can become secularly qualified to do that same sort of work. It's hard, working full time and studying part-time, and maintaining an adequate home-life and social life, but It's something I feel I must do - It's my calling. In the words of the Prophet Jeremiah - It's like a fire shut up in my bones. In fact, that was a big part of the reason we moved from Australia to the UK, was so that I could study to get qualified to do this work anywhere in the world.
Keep up the work - it is it's own reward - as you have found.
Yours in Christ,
Graeme Randall
Former Australian East
Jeff,
Some of the most rewarding times in ministry that I have ever experienced were in the ARC as I had opportunity to minister and see results. That was taken away because of some hard feelings that leadership had in the Command. Pride and selfishness by a few people paved the way for my move to a couple other appointments before leaving The Salvation Army.
I strongly believe if a person is improperly placed in corps work because of the demand and not placed where they can blossom and bless is a
shame and a sin. That is why my wife and I have chosen to move on to other ministry and far away from people that treated us in a cold and nasty manner.
USA East Former
Yes, in reading and sharing in the private FB forum I learned that many of my post SA experiences were not unlike those of most; virtually no SA effort or expression of concern, expendable and cut off from my circle of like minded persons ministering within the SA (3rd generation) and until joining the FSAOF believed my situation was unique. There is great strength in being a member of a 200+ spiritually motivated ministry- a group committed to provide support to each other and to those to whom we minister outside our fellowship.
Jeff, thank you for bringing us along on your new journey of Christ- caring. God is faithful and will provide.
Former
UKT
I am left with the questions: 'Does God change His mind'?
'Are we wrong to assume 'calling to SA ministry is for life'?
Or, 'Are we in danger of getting out when the going gets tough and appeasing ourselves by saying 'God moved us on'?
Former UKT
Is there clear biblical direction that a calling to a specific ministry is for life? This seems to be more a SA culture/system concept than a direct biblical mandate. We can certainly appease ourselves by saying "God moved us on" but just as easily keep from doing the hard spiritual work of listening to the Lord by accepting "staying" as God's will. Thanks, Jeff, for a glimpse into the life you are spending generously for the Lord.
JoAnn
Active, US
Sometimes, it's not us that decide to leave, we are forced into leaving. Sometimes, our own personal integrity won't allow us to stay. Sometimes, we feel as though we can not maintain our salvation if we stay - for the sake of our eternal soul - we MUST leave.
Yes, there is that danger of using rationalisation as a defence against the anxiety of leaving, but sometimes, we have no choice. Sometimes, God doesn't move us on, TSA does, but God uses it anyway.
Yours in Christ,
Graeme Randall
Former Australian East
Soldiership - part one: the Holy Spirit
When signing their Articles of War, prospective Soldiers of The Salvation Army are confirming that they have "accepted Jesus Christ as [their] Saviour and Lord", and that they "now by God's grace enter into a sacred covenant". There then follows a series of statements which form part of their covenant agreement, the first of which is:
"I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life."
I am very clear in my own mind that it was the prompting of the Spirit of God that led me to my own commitment at the Mercy Seat those many years ago. Salvationists often say they are 'chosen to be a soldier' (see 2 Timothy 2:4) and that was particularly so for me. I responded to His prompting, was obedient and made my commitment. That's where my particular adventure began, as I tried to explore where God wanted me; what He wanted me to do. After some exploration of various avenues of service, what has become very clear to me is the fact that it's not about what you can do as a Christian, but who you can be...
The Spirit's leading is all very personal - your spiritual path is unique to you; truly a one-to-one relationship with the Almighty. Once you realise that, you gain a hunger for the Bible, as this essentially begins to become a personal love letter to you. And the adventure still continues.
http://dwellersintimeandspace.blogspot.com/
'Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ'
I thank God for your on-going ministry however that is worked through!
Active USA EAST
Jennifer Erickson- Spencer and family - welcome back! Would be very interested to know why. Perhaps you could write an article for us sometime.
God bless you!
Active UKT
Jennifer Erickson- Spencer and family, welcome back! Why? Perhaps you could write an article for us sometime.
God bless and continue to use you!
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