Road to officership begins for new cadets
BY LERISSE SMITH
Embarking on a new and exciting transformational life journey serving God and others are the Australia Territory’s cadets of 2024.
The Officer Formation team have announced the acceptances for training in 2024 – Jonathan Abdulai, Colette Albino, Benn Nicholson and Jose Porcia.
Jonathan, Jose and Benn have been accepted as cadets to be part of the Keepers of the Covenant session commencing this month. Colette has joined the existing Champions of the Mission session.
Jonathan, from Auburn Corps in Sydney, said what excited him the most about heading into this year was “having the opportunity of getting to meet new people and learn new things to empower my ministry.”
Jose Porcia, from Coffs Harbour Corps, spoke of the Bible verse that defined his life in the light of the gospel: “This is eternal life, to know the one true God and his son Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3).
Jose said his personal mission was the John 17 message. “I carry this message so that the love that is in me today may also be in others (John 17:23). This message has a profound meaning in my life because, at one point, I was dead. But because of the love in me, I am alive and a new creation in Christ.”
Benn, also from Coffs Harbour Corps, said he was excited to continue his journey with God and partake in the wonderful blessings God has in store. He said he was looking forward to meeting good people in a new setting who share the same love that he also has in Christ.
Benn is optimistic about relocating for his period of training. “A new corps will give me the opportunity to share my testimony of how God has transformed me into a new creation, with the hope that others can draw from my experience and encourage them to pursue and strengthen their relationship with God,” he said.
Most of all, Benn is excited to continue growing in his salvation and demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ by engaging and supporting the people from the community.
“I’m a blessed man, and I am excited to continue into 2024 where 2023 left off, walking in the full blessing and salvation only a life in Christ can provide,” he said.
Colette, an auxiliary-lieutenant serving in ministry alongside her husband Captain Duane Albino, has joined the existing Champions of the Mission session, signalling a pathway towards commissioned officership.
Colette is excited about a more dedicated pursuit of growth and development during cadetship.
“I am excited and so humbled to be accepted for formation towards commissioned officership,” she said.
“I am prepared to commit to lifelong service for the Lord. My current favourite scripture comes to mind, ‘Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.’ Colossians 3:23-24 (CSB)”.
Colette and Duane Albino will continue to serve at Albany Corps in WA.
