On the 1st Sunday of Advent 2009 Garrey Varney was welcomed by Captain Pauline Milner as an Adherent. Garrey is a returning prodigal having had associations with our Corps as a youngster. He was delighted to be supported by friends and family and gave a moving and challenging testimony of his new found joy in the Lord and his growing Christian experience following a 'Freedom in Christ' discipleship course at the corps.

We include below edited parts of the testimony Garrey gave on this occasion.

Wow! Today - right now - this is my eureka moment. I've done it; and boy, what a wonderful feeling! Today the Lord has laid His hand on me and given me His blessing to become an Adherent of the Salvation Army. How will I suceed this time, where 30 years ago, as a uniformed Salvationist, I not only failed - but failed miserably. Was I a good Salvationist? Yes - in terms of performing the duties expected and required of me. Yes - in that I looked smart in my uniform and looked the part. Yes - in that I fulfilled my obligations to the Salvation Army. But was I a good Christian? As I reflect back, I have to say, no. Because of the duties I was committed to, there wasn't much time left for God. He became the easy part of the equation to leave out - to push to one side and not bother with. I certainly resembled the part of a Christian and simulated a dutiful spirit of reverence for God. But I was guilty of putting the cart before the horse - duty to 'The Army' first and foremost and God, well, taking second place, right at the back. Away from the citadel my Bible was never opened or read, I didn't spend any time with God in prayer. Out of sight, out of mind - so to speak. I was a sham. A sanctimonious hypocrite. It was all a facade. And so 26 years ago I turned my back on God and commenced a very different life in the 'outside world'. But the most wonderful thing is that the Lord Jesus didn't turn His back on Garrey Varney. He'd left the door ajar for me to walk back in and once again become part of His family. One year ago - one telephone conversation with the recruiting sergeant - one daily devotional book - one sermon on the 'Prodigal Son' - one discipleship course and everything begins to change. The Lord starts to gently prod at my conscience and begins to soften my heart that had grown so hard towards Him and so five months ago I unreservedly surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, sought forgiveness for my sins and invited Him into my heart. My life has turned a full 180 degrees and all beacause of one touch from the King.  I now need to cultivate a Godly life and this will involve discipline on my part. I have no intention of being a 'Sunday only Christian'. My daily devotional time is now specifically set aside in reading the Bible and Christian literature and enjoying intimate conversations in prayer. My prayer is to take my relationship with God to an ever deeper level. The world is now behind me - but the 'Cross of Christ' goes before me. What the Lord has done and achieved in my life - He, too, can do in yours. Give your life to Him and see what He can do with it. Just one touch from the King is all it takes. Just one. 

In August 2009 we completed a series of Sunday sermons, given by Captain Pauline Milner, our Corps Officer which were based on the subject of 'Freedom in Christ' from the book written by Neil Anderson.

We would recommend this teaching to anyone who desires to take hold of the truth of who they are in Christ, resolve personal and spiritual conflicts in their life through genuine repentance and then move on to maturity.

The main focus points were:- Where did I come from (1 John 5:12), Who am I now (1 Corinthians 5:17), Choosing to believe the truth (Hebrews 11:6), The world's view of truth (Romans 12:2), Our daily choice (Romans 8:9), Demolishing strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:5), The battle for your minds (Ephesians 6:11), Handling your emotions well (1 Peter 6:11), Forgiving from the heart (2 Corinthians 2:10-11), Walking in freedom every day (Hebrews 5:14), Relating to others (the second greatest commandment), Where are you heading (1 Timothy 1:5) and staying on the right path (Philippians 4:11-13).

One aspect of this teaching which we found extremely helpful and encouraging was the key phrases:- We are significant in Christ, We are secure in Christ and We are accepted by Christ. These are all truths taken from God's Word and we have included just a few Bible references relating to these key phrases and we pray that you will be truly blessed as you read through them and take hold of the truth that is yours.

I am Significant :- John 15:1,5, John 15:16, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:12, Philippians 4:13 and 2 Corinthians 6:1

I am secure :- Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:35-39, Philippians 3:20 and 2 Timothy 1:7

I am accepted :- John 1:12, John 15:15, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 2:18 and Colossians 2:10

A member of our fellowship (a prodigal who has recently returned to us as a result of the power of prayer) has written a testimony after hearing this series of teaching and we include an extract of this in concluding this article.

The Freedom in Christ Discipleship Course has turned my world upside down, inside out and literally catapulted me right out of my comfort zone. It has encouraged me to look into every nook and cranny of my heart and examine all those areas that fall short of what a true disciple of Jesus Christ should be. It has been a process of renewal and refreshment - the impact has been profound. The old, rickety, ramshackle of a building that once stood has been razed to the ground, new, solid foundations laid and the rebuilding has commenced in earnest. I'm now totally  relaxed - Confident in God - in a way I never thought possible before. I want to be - will be - passionate in my endeavours to be that disciple He desires me to be.   

On Pentecost Sunday 31st May 2009 Geoff Scales was commissioned as the Corps Sergeant Major of Banbury Prayer Beacon Corps by the Divisional Commander Major Christine Bailey. 

The Divisional Commander led the Pentecost Meeting taking the theme 'Thy Kingdom Come' and a number of people responded to the invitation to join Geoff at the Holiness Table in recommitment during the singing of 'A charge to keep I have'.

Family menbers travelled from Bolton Corps to witness the occasion and to hear Geoff testify to the fact that he had prayerfully considered the commitment needed for the role and had not taken the decision lightly concluding with the words, 'Don't tell God how big your mountains are, but tell your mountains how big your God is !'

The photograph shows Major Christine Bailey (Divisional Commander) and Geoff Scales (Corps Sergeant Major).