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My name is Lieutenant Phillip Davies and I am serving as an officer in The Salvation Army. I grew up attending the Tonawanda Salvation Army Worship and Community Center, outside of Buffalo, New York.
My call to officership was not an easy road. In fact while growing up, I always expressed the opinion that I did NOT want to be a Salvation Army officer. I imagined myself becoming a teacher or police officer. I had a desire to help others. Whether it was through teaching or law enforcement and protection, I wanted to be there for others.
There came a point when my corps officer asked me if I would like to run an after school program and help tutor our youth that attended the corps. I loved being at church and helping with programs; and now I was combining it with another passion of mine, teaching. Soon enough I was leading the after school program twice a week and doing what I loved.
God was not done working in me.
As the program continued, I realized how I wanted to do more than just help with homework and other youth activities. God was calling me to do more with my life in The Salvation Army. I was reflecting one week about what I was doing with my life, and God spoke to me about becoming a Salvation Army officer. I had rejected the thought for so long that I became confused. Was this truly God calling me to a higher purpose? What about my criminal justice degree I was about to finish? There were so many questions that I had about the calling I was receiving. Finally, I attended a weekend at a candidate retreat at the Salvation Army College for Officer Training where I immersed myself in prayer and conversation with God. He spoke to me and put the call to officership on my heart. I knew the challenge ahead would be great and would not be easy. However, I did know that my God was bigger and stronger than any challenge I would face.
After serving as an officer for almost a year now and reflecting upon what has transpired, I know God has a reason for everything. There are moments I remember about “Doing the Most Good.” There was a woman who entered our facility one day, claiming to not have eaten in three days. I sat her down and got her a plate of food from our soup kitchen. The gratitude in her face was such a reward. She came back a couple more times, each time she was more grateful than the time before.
Another time, a woman was desperate to find presents for her family for Christmas and I was able to gather some things for her. She was so appreciative.
I do these things not just to please people, but because God has placed me in a position to help others. I take this calling serious and want to see every one helped, whether it is physical food or spiritual food.
I can see that although my life did not turn out the way I anticipated by becoming either a teacher or police officer; I know that God is still using me in those ways. I have the opportunity to teach people about the Bible and still help through other after school programs. I also have the opportunity to help serve people in my community through various ways, just as a police officer would.
Tags: Faces of The Army