From the very beginning, Major Elijah Edward Mugama’s story has been one of God’s quiet, yet powerful work. Growing up in The Salvation Army in Kenya and now serving in the Southern Africa Territory alongside his wife, Major Magdeline Mugama, his journey has been anything but ordinary. He has walked through seasons of struggle, witnessed God’s miraculous interventions, and come to understand the fullness of His calling. In the testimony that follows, Major Mugama shares a deeply personal encounter with God … one that changed the course of his life and led him to surrender completely, stepping into a life of service as an Officer in The Salvation Army.
I was born in The Salvation Army in 1961 and went through all the stages, from dedication to senior soldiership. Throughout my soldiership, I attended church services in uniform, yet I still lived a worldly life. In the 1980s, I was appointed as a local officer (ASM), but I was not living uprightly.
In 1989, I met Jesus Christ while admitted to hospital with food poisoning. Everyone, including my Corps Officers, thought I might die. While in the ward, I overheard them saying I might not survive until tomorrow. Later, a group from The Salvation Army Social Centres came to pray. I heard their voices and then a unique, loving voice calling me by my birth name, Elijah: “You will live again. Do not forget to serve Me. I am your God.” I do not know how, but I got up and sat on the bed. The doctors and nurses were amazed. I simply whispered, “It’s the Lord.” That day I gave my life fully to Christ.
When I got saved, I realised that:
- It was God’s doing because He did not want me to join the College while unsaved.
- He allowed me to go through what I did for His approval.
- He wanted me to gain experience both in the world and in spiritual life.
- He wanted me to know His power as God.
Later, God guided me to resign from my government accounting job when the Territorial Commander invited me to serve at The Salvation Army Officers’ Training College in Kenya. In 2001, I began my work there, and my calling to serve God became clear. Serving at the College, my calling grew stronger. I joined the “God’s Fellow Workers” session in 2006/2007, leaving my secular job to fully embrace officership. God has never failed me. On 8 August 2021, I was promoted to the rank of Major, a reminder of His faithfulness.
My walk with the Lord has not been easy. Challenges have been part of my journey, but they have strengthened me spiritually. God’s grace has sustained me, and I have seen many come to Christ and experience His healing. I truly believe in the power and work of the Holy Spirit.
I have also learned that God honours the names our parents give us. I changed my name from Elijah to Edward, thinking Elijah was an old-fashioned name, but at the hospital, God called me Elijah. I sought forgiveness from my parents, and they were happy to call me Elijah again. Today, everyone in my village knows me as Elijah, and I feel complete in God’s plan for me.