New Soldiers Step Up
On Sunday 2nd November two new soldiers, Rob Davis and Andrew France, were enrolled at Palmerston North Salvation Army. Both men shared their testimonies during the service. With membership classes being run twice a year, as well as special youth classes explaining what it means to be a soldier and an adherent of The Salvation Army, the corps has seen a steady stream of new soldiers and adherent in recent years.
‘We love it when people step up and step into what God is doing in their lives,’ says corps officer, Major Brenton Millar. ‘People are so hungry for the things of God. The level of expectation for God to move in power is rising at Palmerston North Corps. We are seeing new soldiers commit to walking closely with God and we have more people who will soon become soldiers and adherents as they make their own stand for Jesus Christ and step out in faith with God’s help!’
Rob has been part of the Palmerston North Salvation Army since October last year, also attending The Salvation Army in Masterton many years ago. In the interim, Rob served in various churches across the country but sensed God calling him to return to The Salvation Army at a Kingdom Conference held at Palmerston North Salvation Army in 2024. In a poem Rob wrote and shared as his testimony he explains:
The moment came, a Kingdom Conference, hearts aflame.
God spoke clearly, bold and true: “Get back to your DNA — I’m not through.”
It shook my soul, it lit the spark, a holy fire to pierce the dark.
Not just a memory, not just a past, but a mission eternal, built to last.
So now I stand, reborn, renewed, with a purpose clear and vision viewed.
The Army’s shield I wear once more. A soldier of grace, ready for war.
‘Rob is passionate about telling people of Jesus’s love for them and he also brings a prophetic voice to our faith community,’ says Brenton.
Andrew grew up in England where his family attended the Methodist Church. Andrew made the decision to follow Jesus at the age of 25. In 2009, Andrew and his wife Priscilla Baken moved to New Zealand and became part of the Fielding Salvation Army. Sadly, in 2023, Priscilla was diagnosed with stomach cancer and passed away a short time later in October. Andrew worked through the stages of grief but was never angry with God. Andrew began attending Palmerston North Salvation Army, and during the enrolment service he testified to not wanting to be in a comfortable place in his walk with God any longer.
‘As a public declaration, Andrew said he commits and covenants to work for God in The Salvation Army,’ says Brenton. ‘Andrew stated that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6). Andrew declared that this is what he wants his testimony to be from now on.’
Brenton reports that both men are active in the corps. Rob serves in the hospitality team by welcoming people on Sundays, as well as helping with the Catherine Booth Soup Café. Andrew helps with youth group and plays Eb bass in the band.
