When God Weaves His Story into Ours COVER1

A life isn’t just lived

— it’s told.

When God Weaves His Story into Ours is a powerful collection of true-life stories where ordinary people share extraordinary moments of faith, perseverance, loss, healing, and hope.

Written by Members of The Salvation Army Church in Oshawa: 

  –  Heather Allington  –  Karen Allington  –  Lisa Baker  –  Joy Ball  –  Marlie Boville  –  Major Gillian Brown  –  Elizabeth Chown  –  Tracy Church  –  Captains Justin and Colleen Gleadall  –  Brendan Hill  –    Fiona Hopkins  –  Esther Horn  –  Marilyn Hurd  –  Beth Julien  –  Linda Leigh  –  Sandra Marshall  –  Suzanne McVety  –  Cheryl Mouland  –  Reg and Caroline Parker  –  Alan and Hazel Speed  –  Gladys Thompson  –  Colonels Bob and Marguerite War  –  

Introduction

Chapter 1 – A Journey of Faith: Finding Grace in the Waiting by Elizabeth Chown

Chapter 2 – Divine Refuge: In the Heart of a Hurricane by Cheryl Mouland

Chapter 3 – Nature: My “I Spy God” Moments by Marilyn Hurd

Chapter 4 – Nature: In Awe of God’s Handiwork by Hazel Speed

Chapter 5 – Amazing Care by Gladys Thompson

Chapter 6 – God’s Hand in Our Adoption Story by Heather Allington

Chapter 7 – Remembering: Who I Am and Whose I Am by Colleen Gleadall

Chapter 8 – A Divine Plan: My Story of Love, Faith, and Family by Justin Gleadall

Chapter 9 – Our Special Needs Son: The Challenges, Rewards, and Lessons Learned by Reg and Caroline Parker

Chapter 10 – Coming to Canada and Christ by Esther Horn

Chapter 11 – Faithful Care: Trusting God Through Dementia’s Journey by Sandra Marshall

Chapter 12 – God’s Promises: Music to My Soul by Marlie Boville

Chapter 13 – Music: More Than a Passion by Brendan Hill

Chapter 14 – A Life Shaped by Music by Fiona Hopkins

Chapter 15 – From Chaos to Clarity: A Story of Healing and Hope by Tracy Church

Chapter 16 – Angry, Amazed, Available by Karen Allington

Chapter 17 – I’m Still Me by Linda Leigh

Chapter 18 – APPlying the Word of God by Suzanne McVety

Chapter 19 – From Awareness to Action: Loving Victims Trapped in Trafficking by Joy Ball

Chapter 20 – Discoveries Through Drama: My Journey with the Pathway Players by Beth Julien

Chapter 21 – Sacred Moments: Tracing His Grace and Mercy by Lisa Baker

Chapter 22 – Nothing Is Ever Wasted in God’s Hands by Gillian Brown

Chapter 23 – Seeing God at Work in Diverse Cultures by Marguerite Ward

Chapter 24 – Undaunted by Bob Ward

Chapter 25 – In the Line of Duty: Through Faith and Firefighting by Alan Speed

Afterword

Through twenty-five deeply personal journeys, you’ll see how God doesn’t just walk alongside our stories — He writes them. Encouraging, heartfelt, and faith-restoring, this book is a reminder that no moment is wasted and your story is part of something greater. A perfect read for anyone needing hope, renewal, or a reminder of God’s loving hand at work.

Available now in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook. ORDERING details below or at independent bookstores everywhere

Order Your Copy Now

Indigo Books (Canada)
Freisen Press Publisher Bookstore (Canada)
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Amazon.com (US)
Barnes and Noble (US)
Amazon.co.uk (UK)
Amazon.com.au (Australia)
Amazon.co.za (South Africa)

Endorsements

This book offers testimonies of perseverance through faith and moments of grief and loss that changed us. They show a God who, when we surrender, literally writes the story and helps us celebrate in the end.
brian peddle
Brian Peddle, GeneralRetired Salvation Army Officer and Participant in the Greatest Story Ever Told.
A beautiful collection of true-life stories of faith. I was moved to tears, smiles, and moments of awe as I witnessed God’s will unfolding in the lives of ordinary people. This book uplifted and strengthened my faith, and I highly recommend it.
lynette rowe
Lynette Rowe, ColonelRetired Salvation Army Officer
A beautiful collection of inspirational stories. Each of the twenty-five writers shares vulnerably and authentically, offering powerful glimpses of how God shapes our lives and reveals His purpose in unexpected ways.
Major Wendy Broome
Wendy Broome, Major Area Commander, Ontario East Region
This book will inspire you to look for God in your own journey. Powerful stories of faith from everyday people. Some are dramatic, some gentle, some even romantic—ranging from newcomers to Canada to those walking through serious illness. Each one reveals how their story is woven into God’s story.
Major Fred Ash
Fred Ash, Major Former editor of Salvation Army publications, award-winning author
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Official Book Launch

Join us Sunday, January 25 11:00 AM
The Salvation Army Church in Oshawa
570 Thornton Rd. N., Oshawa
Come celebrate what God is doing
—one story at a time.

Not local? Join us online saoshawa.ca/live

Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.