I was born in Toronto, Ontario in Moss Park / Regent Park, a low income area. I am the eldest of six children and have one brother and four sisters. My parents did not go to church but did make us children go to the Dutch Street Mission to visit our Grandmother. My wife Micheline and I have two sons, James and Andrew, a daughter Amanda, a son-in-law Sunil, and our pride and joy our grandsons Emmanuel and Noah.
After completing the program at Turning Point and graduating from the Toronto Harbour Light Addictions Treatment Program in April 1995 I knew I was called to do work for His Kingdom. I do not think anyone can put in words what one’s thoughts are when God is calling. What I can say is you are driven to do His will and you just do it. I looked into what was needed to become an officer in The Salvation Army and the first thing I needed was a grade 12 diploma. As you see, I started this journey in 1995 and 15 years later I became an Auxiliary Captain with my first appointment commencing January 1, 2010 at Hope Acres. If you see me some day I will fill in the 15 year gap.
As I said earlier, I believe God calls you to “just do it”. I say this because I did not see the impact of my ministry until one Friday night in October 2008. I was not going to attend The Salvation Army Congress in Toronto. I had been up since 3:00 a.m. to help on the Breakfast Ministry and was tired. My wife asked me to come and we actually had an argument because I said that I was not going to attend and that was it. To make a long story short that night I was awarded the Exceptional Service Award. This was God’s way of telling me to look at the joy I had found in all the trials and tribulations I had come through (James 1:2-5).
I was doing well working for The Salvation Army and had given up hope of becoming an officer because of my age but God has His plan and The Salvation Army had implemented Auxiliary Captain Sessions. I have reached this point in my journey, looking forward to working through the trials and tribulations seeking His joy until I am call to be by His side.
