Keepers of the Covenant – Commissioning Testimony

5 hours ago
3 min read

From: Pine Rivers Corps (Qld)

Session: Keepers of the Covenant Appointment: Corps Officer – Pine Rivers (Qld)

Silver Star recipients: Lyn Hannah (Alli’s mother)

This Sunday, Auxiliary-Lieutenants Alli and Liam Holland will be commissioned as Salvation Army officers, with the rank of lieutenant. The Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremony for the couple will be held at Pine Rivers Corps in South East Queensland. They are being commissioned as part of the Keepers of the Covenant session. The other seven members of this session were commissioned late last year*. This morning, we share the testimony of Auxiliary-Lieutenant Alli Holland.

Alli’s testimony

Over the past 12 months, I have intentionally stepped out in faith and consistently experienced God’s faithfulness. During this time, my relationship with God has deepened in a profound way.

My relationship with Him is like oxygen; essential, life-giving, and woven into every part of who I am, the decisions I make, and how I approach life and ministry.

Through Scripture, worship, and community, I have sensed the Holy Spirit actively speaking, leading, and shaping my heart for His Kingdom. Being stretched and challenged has strengthened my faith and clarified God’s calling on my life.

Personally, I have grown in confidence and clarity. This God has shown me that my story, experiences, and even vulnerabilities are ways God connects me with others. Nothing is ever wasted, and I love that.

So today I am praying the same words William Himes wrote:

All that I am, all I can be, All that I have, all that is me,  Accept and use, Lord, as You would choose, Lord, Right now, today.

Take every passion, every skill,  Take all my dreams and bend them to Your will;  My all I give, Lord; for You I’ll live, Lord,  Come what may.”

Throughout this past year, I have sensed God gently speaking to my heart and calling me toward commissioned officership.

This call has grown steadily through prayer, Scripture, worship, community, and the affirmation of trusted leaders and friends in my life. As I say yes, I do so, trusting the same God of my life that promised to direct my steps and give me hope and a future when I was 18 years old.

What draws me to officership is a desire to serve God wherever He calls, in shepherding, discipling, and walking with people through both brokenness and hope.

I feel particularly called to create spaces of belonging, healing, and growth through relational, creative, and Spirit-led ministry.

I step forward in faith with humility, teachability, and trust, confident that the God who has been faithful will continue to guide and sustain me as I say ‘yes’ to this next season.

The Hollands will have their Covenant Day tomorrow (Saturday 2pm) at Pine Rivers Corps.

“Covenant Day is a sacred occasion when each cadet signs their Officers Covenant before God,” said Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College.

“In this moment, cadets are making a sacred agreement with God – they are accepting God’s call on their life, they are accepting a life of sacred service as a minister of the gospel in The Salvation Army.”

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas will officiate at both Covenant Day and the Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremonies over the weekend.