Promoted to GloryLieut-Colonel Hedley Preston
29/03/1913 - 20/01/2007
This afternoon I privileged to both attend and participate in the service of thanksgiving that honoured the life, ministry and service of another of God's gems. Colonel Preston's own influence in my life goes all the way back to my childhood and teenage years growing up at the Box Hill Corps, where he was a constant source of encouragement to not only me, but people of all ages. Always interested and caring, he role-modelled what it meant to live a life of strong faith to God's glory and the blessing of others.
His grandson, Jayson, gave a heart-warming and worthy tribute that impacted me greatly and concluded with the paraphrased words of Dwight L Moody:
"Some day you will read in the papers that [Lieut-Colonel Hedley Preston] is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have simply gone [Home]."
I love the Salvation Army's term for 'death' ~ Promoted to Glory ~ for it truly conveys the victorious, confident hope Salvationists have in their belief of eternal life and Heaven. It resonates loudly with the fact that death is not the end, but rather the 'doorway to eternity' marking the beginning of a new and glorious experience for all who, by faith, claim the redeeming power of Jesus to restore, renew and revitalize.
"Servant of God, well done!"
1 comment:
I first met Colonel Preston in 1994. He was collecting for the Red Shield appeal. After this day, he became a very good friend to my family. He gave great support and kindness to my family during my Father's illness and subsequent passing. I must say that he was a wonderful man and I'm forever thankful that he was there for us at that difficult time.
Over the years he often dropped by to say hello. Always with a smile and cheerful attitude. His visits were like a breath of fresh air.
The last time I saw him was at his home at Inala Village in 2006. I dropped by to see him as I was moving overseas. I wanted to offer my thanks to him for all the years of support he gave to us. We chatted for a very long time and he told me tales of his days as a cricket player, which I enjoyed hearing very much.
When it was time to leave, he kindly offered a prayer and wished me luck for my future life and travels on the road ahead. As I was leaving he said, "If one day soon you learn that I've passed on, please rejoice and celebrate for me."
Today, the 1st February 2009, I found this page and learned of Colonel Preston's passing.
And today, I am celebrating.
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