My testimony: Cadet David Bruford
My testimony: Cadet David Bruford
20 November 2022
Cadet David Bruford is one of four cadets in the Reflectors of Holiness session to be commissioned this year.
I first encountered The Salvation Army through my high school chaplain after my mother passed away when I was 14.
I was attending high school in Western Australia and the chaplain, a Salvo, invited me to the Salvos youth camp in the summer of 2004. Following that camp, I was invited to the Easter camp, where I first encountered Christ and surrendered my life to him.
I was connected to the local corps of Swan View, where I met my wife, Lydia. I followed her to Tasmania, where we have lived for the past 15 years.
David takes a selfie with Shieldy during ministry activities with Launceston Corps in Tasmania.
I never saw myself being an officer. I had my career pathway mapped, and then God called me to work for the Salvos, so I started doing administration at The Salvation Army’s Barrington Lodge Aged Care Centre.
I have learned that being obedient is much easier and more fulfilling, and I have experienced great blessings from it. While working for the Salvos, I had the call on my heart to commence EBC’s Diploma of Chaplaincy unit. I went on to become a chaplain at The Salvation Army’s Barrington Lodge Aged Care Centre. It was during that time and connecting with God that I first had the call to officership. As Lydia had not been called, I wasn’t sure if I could fulfil what God had placed on my life.
In prayer and discernment, this call to officership kept being reaffirmed. Lydia joined me in that process, and God affirmed my call through her time in prayer. We chose to be obedient to God, as he continues to be the foundation of our lives and ministry. Following God is the easiest thing I have ever done; just taking that first step and trusting him is challenging!
My journey to commissioned officership was a little different. As a single, married officer or candidate at that time, it was advised that I would need to become an auxiliary-lieutenant and then, after serving for some time, apply to transition to cadet.
Although not following the ‘normal’ pathway, I found my time as an auxiliary-lieutenant serving in divisional appointments (Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator and Adults Ministry Secretary in Tasmania) and then serving as a Corps Officer Team Member at Launceston really shaped and reaffirmed my calling to commissioned officership. Although it was a longer process, this time gave me the opportunity to learn both in the academic space through Eva Burrows College (EBC) and in a practical space through my appointments.
David (left) receives a donation for The Salvation Army at the Tasmania Toy Run in 2020.
Although I have only been a cadet-in-appointment since the start of this year, the training support from EBC and through the Auxiliary-Lieutenant Coordinator Major Sandy MacDonald meant my training started when I became an auxiliary-lieutenant. The training has shaped my theological understanding, mission and ministry engagement, and personal and spiritual formation. Although I had an understanding and a connection with God before this, I feel that my understanding, connection and faith have grown significantly in ways I could not have imagined.
Throughout my journey, God has reminded me of the scripture in Joshua 1:9 (NLT), “This is my command – be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He has also affirmed John 15:12 (NIV), “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” These scriptures have continued to remind me through this journey that God is with me always, and through everything, I am to love God and love others.
As we prepare to move to Devonport for my first appointment as a commissioned officer, my only plans are to follow God’s calling and direction to love God and to love others. Our hope is that as we connect with the people.
Cadet David Bruford will be ordained, commissioned and sent out on Friday 25 November.
When: 7pm (AEDT) Launceston, Tasmania, by Commissioner Robert Donaldson
Where: The Salvation Army Corps, Launceston, 111 Elizabeth Street, Launceston, Tasmania 7250
Watch online: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/launceston/
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