On October 19-21st CFOT conducted it’s first Auxiliary Captains orientation module. This cooperative initiative with the Ontario Central East Division, held at DHQ in Toronto, was the fulfillment of a vision to see new Auxiliary Captains receive orientation and introductory training during the initial stages of their first appointment. We are grateful for the cooperation of the ONCE Division, and for their continued commitment to the ongoing training of Auxiliary Captains in their Division.

Introductory sessions were taught by Captain Robert Russell (CFOT Distance Training Officer) on topics such as Pastoral Care, Salvation Army Ceremonies, Self Care, and Leadership. Additional elements of the orientation module will be taught by the divisional team in Toronto during the next few months.

Another exciting element of the orientation is that it marked the beginning of training for eight new Auxiliary Captains – all from the Ontario Central East Division! These eight join the existing nine Auxiliary Captains who began training this past spring in Winnipeg. The now seventeen Auxiliary Captains in training will all come together in May 2010 at CFOT for two to three weeks of intensive courses with the Cadets at CFOT in Winnipeg.

You will want to watch for new CFOT posts in the coming days when we will be sharing the individual stories and appointments of these eight Auxiliary Captains.

God has been watching me for many years as I have tried to prove my ability to achieve.  Thank goodness He has a sense of humor and great patience!

After a career spent in the hotel business, and many years as a single parent of two wonderful children, God has blessed me twice over – first with the calling to do His ministry, and secondly, with a wonderful man to do ministry with.  I became a Lieutenant in Halifax, Nova Scotia three years ago, beginning my ministry in Social Services, an area of ministry that is both challenging and rewarding.

We have been in St. Thomas, Ontario for almost a year now, our first posting to a corps and we have been truly blessed with not only a beautiful church, but a church filled with the most wonderful people!  We love it.  God is so good!  It is always so amazing to watch Him at work.

I lean everyday on the Scripture verse in Ephesians 3:20 that states:  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”, knowing that through Him I am able to accomplish anything He wants me to more effectively for His Kingdom than I could ever imagine!  Praise and glory be to God!

Six months after I moved to Ontario, I accepted Jesus into my life, and  I started attending Mississauga Temple Corps, where they gave me an opportunity to attend The School of Evangelism at the Training College on Bayview Ave.  It was at this time that I was called by God to officership.  When it came time for me to answer the call, I was single again and I came up with many excuses as to why I could not answer my call, and I justified to God and myself that I was serving Him in ministry.  One of my fears in entering officership was being appointed somewhere across the territory on my own in ministry.

It was quite a struggle, but one day a soldier sang the song” Fisher of Men” and I responded and surrendered to wherever God wanted me to serve in this territory. At that time, I was a few months too old to enter training college, and I was offered an opportunity to become a Lieutenant.  God has quite a sense of humour as I was appointed up the street from Mississauga Temple at Peel Family Shelter.  I have served there for seven years and my surrender to my call has been the best decision of my life.  Although there are many challenges in ministry God is faithful and I have had the privilege of watching Him touch, heal and save many.  God’s plan is always perfect.