Transformation

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One of the great joys of this appointment is being up close and personal with people’s stories. Everyone has a story to tell, and I have the privilege to listen and communicate these stories through print—I’ve been in interviews where ‘professional’ Shar has had to tell ‘regular’ Shar to keep it together! 

An absolute highlight of Congress for me was listening to people sharing their own stories—stories of transformation. Around the four nations of our territory and across the breadth of Salvation Army mission and ministry, lives are being changed, people are being transformed and futures are being created.

In this edition’s feature you will meet Sia and Sene Poutoa from Papakura Corps. Their lives have been transformed through encountering Jesus. They are now being used by God to transform their community—such a wonderful example of the redemptive power of God.

You’ll also get to read an excerpt of Major Sue Hay’s Thought Matters submission about the process of falling apart, in order to flourish. The caterpillar and butterfly are often used as an illustration for the process of transformation, but the process is so much cooler than I ever knew. Like so many things in nature, it points me towards Creator God. It is incredibly complex and perfectly designed.

As we move from spring into summer, we see God ‘showing off’ his love for the transformation process. And while I absolutely love seeing Chinese blossoms and Pouhutakawa trees begin to flower—because that means Christmas is coming—the personal transformation stories people share will always have the greatest impact, and where I see God at his best.

Shar Davis
Assistant Territorial Communications Secretary

Bible Verse

2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

2 Koriniti 5:17
Nā ki te mea kei roto i a te Karaiti tētahi, he mahinga hou ia: kua pahemo ngā mea tawhito, nā, kua hou ngā mea katoa.