My Journey to Jesus
Some of my earliest memories of faith are rooted in my mother’s gentle guidance. I remember her leading me in a simple yet life changing prayer, inviting Jesus into my life to be my special friend. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus, a relationship that has grown, deepened, and sustained me through every season. Even as a child, I sensed that God had a purpose for my life. His presence was real and personal, calling me into something greater.
My Calling
As an “OK” (officer’s child), I was keenly aware from a young age that God was calling me to serve Him in The Salvation Army. Yet, if I am honest, I did not embrace that call immediately. I had seen the struggles my parents faced in ministry, and I tried to suppress and ignore what I knew in my heart God was asking of me. But as the saying goes, you can run, but you cannot hide.
My true surrender did not happen at a large event or under dramatic circumstances. It came quietly during my personal quiet time while living with my parents. There, willingly yet with some apprehension, I said yes to God. The words of the old hymn became my declaration: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” From that moment on, I have never doubted my calling, nor have I been tempted to turn away. For 36 years as an officer, I have seen the goodness and faithfulness of God in every appointment.
My Walk with the Lord
My journey with God has been filled with lessons, challenges, and countless evidence of His grace. At Mayfair Corps, I was deeply challenged by a simple question: “What would Jesus do?” Wanting to live out that calling, I befriended a well known homeless person and even invited him to stay in the quarters. Though he stayed only a week, the experience taught me the joy and the cost of obedience.
In 1994, during the historic first democratic elections, I witnessed God building His church in remarkable ways at Bloemfontein Corps. Young people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the community were drawn in and became part of the church family, where they affectionately called me ‘Pasta’ (pastor). The Filipino community attending the Corps also grew both in number and in their experience of God, and we saw the Lord provide miraculously, moving the Corps from financial lack to employing two full-time evangelists.
God anchored us with the promise from Hebrews 13:4 to 5: “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” In Port Elizabeth, God challenged me with another defining Scripture: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34. As I embraced that call, God blessed me richly. It was there that I met my beautiful wife, and together we were blessed with three wonderful daughters.
During 11 years at South Rand Community Church, we experienced the heartbeat of God for the local church to be salt and light in the community. We learned that the only way to impact the community was to get out of the building. We took advantage of the 2010 Soccer World Cup outreach and started Urban Camping, an interdenominational ministry to prostitutes in the south of Johannesburg.
Our appointment at Hesketh King Treatment Centre initially felt like a mistake. Yet over eight years, we witnessed God’s transforming and healing power in the lives of patients shattered by addiction. Currently, serving at Booth Memorial Hospital, we have seen God’s hand in practical and powerful ways. From strong leadership structures to remarkable financial provision, God has supplied every need. Even through personal medical challenges and a frightening storm that ripped part of the hospital roof away, God has remained faithful. Time and again, we have seen the truth of His Word: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
That is my testimony, so I challenge you “To taste and see for yourself that the Lord is good. Oh the joy of those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)