Commissioning Testimony – Cadet Samuel Higginbottom

Nov 20, 20242 min read

From: Katherine Corps, Northern Territory

Appointed to: Corps Officer - Tuggeranong Corps, ACT

Silver Star recipients: Mrs Deanne Higginbottom, Mr Gus Higginbottom

Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Advanced Diploma in Theology, Certificate of Divinity – in progress

Throughout my life, there has always been a significant Christian influence. However, as a young person, I was rather sceptical of God’s existence.

I remained connected to a church community throughout my youth, but it wasn’t until I moved to Western Australia after completing Year 12 that I developed a faith.

While in Western Australia, I was able to engage in many opportunities that greatly increased my interest in exploring faith. I was engaged in youth work for the Salvation Army.

I began to see firsthand the impact and transformation that had resulted because of other young people’s encounters with God. And it was these testimonies that inspired and encouraged me to explore faith for myself properly.

I began a Diploma in Theology, where I was able to critically engage with Scripture and began to explore my own understanding of God.

It was in this study that I not only came to affirm my own faith but also came to the realisation that I wanted to lead and empower others to go on their own faith journey.

Bible verse: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV).