How a Salvation Army Officer–in–Training Met the Army ...... ...... Still in high school, I began preparing for officership by continuing to hold leadership roles at my corps and occasionally taking on different responsibilities to gain a fuller experience. The plan was to enter the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Chicago the fall after my graduation. But God had other plans. A friendship sparked between a young man and me at camp before the start of my sophoMy family began attendmore year in high school. He was creative, ing The Salvation Army a great listener and very encouraging to when I was very young. me. He had a passion for ministry and his It’s been my church home as long calling to become an officer was strong. as I can remember. Growing up, Our relationship continued to grow and the I loved being a part of everything summer after my graduation we married. it had to offer. My first experience In pursuit of our calling together, Sean and at The Salvation Army led me to I accepted an internship. We sought to fill ask Jesus to come into my heart. out our paperwork to apply for Salvation Since then I have always looked forArmy officer training right away, ward to the next time I could go to but God still had another plan. Our camp again. I loved being with my daughter and first child, Rylie, was friends, the campfire challenges, singing silly born the following September. songs, hiking and everything else—except the During the next year we conmosquitoes. Looking back, I can see how God tinued to pursue our calling, but used faithful soldiers and officers to draw me things were not moving nearly closer to Him and develop my faith. as fast as we had hoped. Our inMy parents had served as Salvation Army ternship came to an end and we officers for just over five years, which brought assumed new positions as corps me to four new places where they were aphelpers near my hometown. God pointed to serve. My spiritual and social life had certainly gotten our attention! For two years we flourished. When they resigned as officers, it was hurried along when surely God was telling us to take hard for me at first, but this turn of events caused some time and follow His plan. With a renewed spirit me to develop a more personal understanding of what The Salvation Army meant to me. During this and a second child on the way, we found ourselves accepted, packed and ready to go to Chicago. time of discovery, life seemed to move slowly and, The arrival of our son Mitchell came just six sometimes, painfully. Again, God was faithful and short days prior to our arrival at CFOT. During the used an officer to help me realize this was only a reflection of my heart toward God. I had been willing training experience I faced many challenges. I was now a mother of two children, still in the role of wife, to give Him what I wanted but not what He asked only now a student and also managing my personal, for, which was everything. When I finally knelt in prayer at the altar in re- social and spiritual growth. I often questioned God’s sponse to this challenge, I remained there the entire guidance and leading to this place, but He remained morning, letting go of grudges and selfish desires I’d faithful in reminding me to fully rely on Him and His held onto in the depths of my heart. In giving up this plan. I have found that there is nothing better than burden, the relief and joy were so great it was almost being fully surrendered to Him. a physical lift. I felt truly alive in Christ! As I reveled in this awakening of my spirit, I sensed a new Cadet Christina Wise will be commissioned as a Salvation Army in the USA Central Territory this month. desire—to be a Salvation Army officer. God Waiting on The War Cry | JUNE 2013