War Cry - July, 2015 Page 50

life is a a testimony to how God can

use anyone, and how He chose to use
me.

I was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, by a di-

vorced mother of four who worked several jobs to

provide for us. She made sure we went to a Baptist
church. When I became pregnant at 14, my whole
world changed. I became isolated. Eventu-
ally, I dropped out of high school and began
working odd jobs to support myself and my
son. Though my mom never complained, I
knew it wasn't her responsibility.

At 21, I intentionally turned my back

on God, began partying and became pro-
miscuous. Though it caused me hard-
ships, I was comfortable with my
sinful lifestyle for years. I didn't
turn back to God until a coworker
invited me to church.

The Pentecostal service was

so different from my upbringing.
It captured my attention. I began visiting every
Sunday. It was as if the pastor's sermons were
aimed straight at me, causing me to examine my
lifestyle and decisions. At that point, I was in one
relationship after another, trying to find the love
only Jesus can give.

I still remember the altar call that changed my

life. God met me there, and the change was dra-
matic. I stopped partying and dating and became
an active church member.

A few years later, an old high school sweet-

heart knocked on my door. Since I wasn't looking
for a relationship, I assumed it must be from God.
Our relationship quickly rekindled. Afraid I'd
fallen back into bad patterns, my pastor counseled
me to be above reproach. So, without even asking
God what I should do, I married this man. At first

our marriage appeared perfect, but in a few years
my husband began taking drugs and became abu-
sive. Feelings of isolation, guilt and shame resur-
faced. I felt I'd failed as a wife--that it was some-
how my fault. Embarrassed, I hid his behavior for

years.

When everything was finally exposed, he en-

tered a Salvation Army rehabilitation center and
people prayed for us, but he relapsed and the abuse
became unbearable. I filed for divorce. I received
conflicting counsel about what was biblical, and
felt pressured about what I should do. Although
people in the church did not treat me differently, I
eventually stopped going, but I continued to fellow-

ship with The Salvation Army.

Though my marriage was over, I believed

God still had a plan for my life. Strength-

ened, I began to use my experience to seek

out and help women in similar circumstances.

God opened a position at The Salvation

Army, and I began to work part-time at the

community center. My corps officers,

Captains Dale and Rebecca Simmons,

were amazed at the way people

were drawn to me and asked if I'd

considered Salvation Army of-
ficership. I ignored this call for
four years because I am close

to my family and couldn't imagine leaving them. I
went to a community college and obtained my GED.

It wasn't until a weekend retreat about officer-

ship three years ago that I answered God's calling
for my life. I went back home, told my family and
began the process to enter the College for Officer
Training in Chicago. I was commissioned this June

with the Heralds of Grace Session. I'm now a single
Salvation Army officer, have an adult son, a beauti-

ful daughter-in-law and three beautiful grandchil-
dren. When I reflect over the years, I realize God has
always been with me, and He is going to use my min-
istry as an officer to especially help women overcome
and succeed in ways I can't imagine.

Pamela Williams, was commissioned as a Salvation Army

officer in June.

Cadet

Testimonies

............

A Better Plan

for My Life

LIEUTENANT PATRICIA WILLIAMS

The War Cry | JULY 2015

I was trying to find the love

only Jesus can give.

14, my whole

entu-

began

nd my

ned, I

back

pro-

eventually stop

ship with Th

Thou

God stil

ened, I

out and

God

Army, an

com

46_HowIMetCadet_WCJuly15_Werk6.indd 1

6/15/15 5:42 PM