Church Army's Anne is still one of the Girls

                                                                                                                            3 September 2009

Church Army Evangelist Anne Williams joined the Church Girls' Brigade (now The Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade) at the age of 7.

At the tender age of 18 she took on the leadership of her group, even though she was technically only a junior leader. One young girl in her group was highly energetic and more than a little disruptive, until she left in her mid-teens. A decade later she returned to see Anne, with her young son holding her hand. "Do for him what you did for me" is what she said to Anne, who has kept those words - and her association with the Church Girls' Brigade - close to her heart ever since.

Anne instructed the young mum to bring her son to church, instead of the easy option of just leaving the boy in Anne's care. Subsequently, the mum returned to church after years in the wilderness, eventually becoming a leading light in the Sunday School and a member of her PCC.

When she turned 50, Anne "tried to retire" from the Brigade, believing that new, younger leaders were what would take the organisation forward. But the Brigade has just made her one of three new Training Development Officers, with Anne's remit being the North East region.

The Brigade's structured programme of activities and awards help young people develop citizenship skills and experience of working as a team, as well as proficiencies in a range of outdoor activities and crafts.

This half-time post, which aims "to extend the kingdom of Christ amongst young lads and girls", is in addition to her role as a Church Army Evangelist on the Ford Estate in Sunderland.

To see a short film about Anne's unique and vital work go to Church Army online.