For Cadet Sinomhlobo Dubayi of Mount Frere Corps in the Eastern Cape Division, the journey to officership has been one of learning to know God personally, trusting His call and allowing Him to shape her life. From the moment she surrendered her life to Jesus as a high school learner to the challenges and lessons of College and out-training, Sinomhlobo has continued to discover what it means to say yes to God. Here, she shares her journey and what God has been teaching her along the way.
I grew up knowing about God, but I did not know Him personally, even though I was raised in a Christian home. The turning point came in 2012, when I was in high school. One morning, during assembly, a pastor was preaching about Jesus and how He is the Saviour of our lives. It was not a dramatic moment with lights and music. It was the simple truth that Jesus died for me, rose again and wanted me. That morning, I asked Him to be my Lord and Saviour, and for the first time, I experienced a peace I could not explain.
My calling to officership did not come as a single voice from heaven. Rather, it was a growing conviction in my heart over the years. If I remember correctly, I first began wanting to become an Officer in 2005. At home, my family did not take me seriously and would often laugh at me, but I was sure of what I wanted. Through prayer, Scripture and conversations with my Corps Officers, I kept hearing the same question: “Will you go where I send you?” At first, I resisted because I was afraid and doubted whether I was really called. However, Romans 12:1 kept coming back to me, reminding me to offer my body as a living sacrifice. When I finally said yes, the fear did not disappear, but it was replaced by a deeper certainty that this was God’s path for me.
My time at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) has been the hardest and most formative season of my life so far. However, it has also been a time of tremendous growth. Firstly, I have grown in my knowledge of God and in my understanding of His teachings. Spiritually, the discipline and accountability at College have pushed me beyond a surface-level faith and challenged me to study Scripture and pray honestly before God.
Secondly, I have grown in my understanding of myself. Being at College has helped me deal with pride, insecurities, a short temper and the need to exercise self-control. God met me in these areas with His grace and love.Thirdly, I have grown in my love for people. Living and serving alongside Cadets from different backgrounds has taught me that the mission of The Salvation Army is global and that our unity in Christ is stronger than our cultural differences or personalities.
My out-training period has tested everything I have learned. I was placed at Duduza Corps in the Central Division. One thing that has struck me during this time is how overwhelming ministry can be and how, at times, it can feel as though you are not making progress. However, I have learned that prayer is not simply something we do before a meeting or when we go to sleep. Prayer is what keeps us going and draws us closer to God. During the out-training period, I put into practice what College has taught me about pastoral care, preaching to real people with real pain, and relying on the Holy Spirit rather than my own words.
One experience that particularly stands out for me was having to bury two young people in succession. This really challenged me, but I knew that God was with me and that He had entrusted me with His work. It also reminded me that God remains faithful even when I feel weak. Through this out-training experience, I have come to recognise two important things. Firstly, holiness and mission cannot be separated. We are called to be like Christ and to make Him known. Secondly, God uses ordinary, willing people to do extraordinary things.
I do not know what the future holds after Commissioning, but I know Who holds it. My everyday prayer is that my life will always reflect the promise I made in the Soldier’s Covenant: to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, relying on His grace each day.
“He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10 NIV