Renewal
A brilliantly sunny morning greeted a day of great significance for John and Rachael Mills last Saturday.
John & Rachael
In a ceremony conducted by Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe they renewed their wedding vows first made only three years ago. Within six months of that occasion Rachael was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has spent most of the time since in a wheel chair. The ceremony, conducted in the presence of a large number of family, friends and corps members, included song 645 from the Salvation Army Song Book (What a friend we have in Jesus) and scripture from Romans 8:28-39 read by John Francis, Rachael’s father. John himself gave a personal testimony, including some thoughts of Rachael’s, and Major Drew McCombe gave a short message. The Songsters sang ‘Somebody prayed for Me’ and ‘Under Hs Wings’.
renewing the vows
John testifies
John Francis
Members of the congregation were invited to comment and offer prayer for the future life together of John and Rachael and many did so.
Following the service a reception was held in our secondary hall to which all were invited. John told our reporter that he had asked for this renewal to take place for a number of reasons. One was because his original wedding had not taken place in the context of his current Christian faith and this was an opportunity to put that right. At the time of the wedding neither John nor Rachael were Christians although both had been ‘connected’ in earlier years. Both have been made soldiers of The Salvation Army within the last two years. John also wanted to re-affirm his love for Rachael despite the dramatic deterioration in health which she has suffered.
cutting the cake
We would ask readers to pray for John and Rachael in the days ahead and we give thanks for their continuing inspiration to the members of Chatham Corps and all their friends and aquaintances. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH.
Click here to listen to the testimony John gave on the day he became a soldier of The Salvation Army, 19 November 2006
Bless you both. I too have MS, diagnosed over 20 years ago but by the Grace of God, am still able to walk with a stick and work full time. Rachael – keep strong and believe – you will win this battle and it will not win you! My love and prayers!
Jane Grant (nee Wenham) said this on November 10th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
what a wonderful inspiration you both are, thank you for sharing this special time, remembering you in God’s love from our shared evening at the Friar’s
Joanna
Joanna said this on October 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Both John and Rachael are two very special friends, family and corps members and they always radiate God’s love not just for each other, but for everyone they meet. I am so proud to have them as a brother and sister in Christ and they are always in my prayers.
Pete Cole said this on October 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
John & Rachael: Both Mel and I are so sorry that we could not be with you on this very special day. You were both uppermost in our thoughts and prayers: Indeed at about the time when you were renewing your vows we were walking around the grounds at Sunbury Court praying for God to continue to anoint and bless you both. We love you both dearly ~ God Bless ~ Mel and Steve
Steve & Mel said this on October 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
FOR ALL THOSE THAT WERE, THANK YOU, WITH LOVE FROM RACHAEL AND JOHN
John Mills said this on October 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm