Linea Durdle is a student at Booth University College in Winnipeg. Last May, she was a guest speaker at FUSE 2023, a youth retreat in the Maritime Division.

Where are you from?

Most of my childhood was spent in Atlantic Canada, from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador. When my parents decided to pursue officership, we moved to Winnipeg, where I am now studying at Booth University College. But Newfoundland feels closest to home for me, as most of my extended family lives there, and we spend holidays with my grandparents.

What’s your favourite family tradition?

My favourite family tradition growing up was our after-dinner devotions when we discussed Scripture and theology. This formed my passion and craving for knowledge of biblical texts. I am grateful to my parents for creating a safe and supportive space for me to ask questions and explain my interpretations of the Bible, even if it took hours of debate and patience for all parties to have the floor.

Tell us a little about your spiritual journey.

My parents and grandparents are officers, so I have been attending The Salvation Army since I was born. In my childhood and early teens, I struggled to find authenticity in my corps. I longed for a deeper understanding of what it meant to serve people the way Jesus intended us to. When I moved to Winnipeg, I was exposed to needs that were almost non-existent in the small towns in which I grew up, and I found a passion for serving people through street ministry. My church community reflected my desire to form fellowship among people in need. I had finally found the raw love of Jesus I was looking for, and it grounded my faith, giving me hope in the mission of The Salvation Army.

How have you experienced God’s faithfulness?

In the past few years, God has been faithful as I have navigated the trauma I experienced in my childhood. My home was safe, but some of the people around me at the time were not. Although I was surrounded by a community of people who wanted to love and support me, I isolated myself. I was embarrassed by my intense emotions and thought they made me weak and vulnerable.

I kept this mindset until my first year of university. Then one day, as I was reading through the Gospel of John, I read chapter 11, verse 35, “Jesus wept,” and everything I had been hiding within myself broke free. I wept for the scared child huddled in the corner of her room, I wept for the angry teenager, and I wept for the confused young adult attempting to navigate her pain alone. But I was no longer alone. This short verse made me realize that Jesus had been there my entire life. I was never alone and never would be because that is the humanity of God shown through Jesus. We are never alone in our weeping.

Who has had a significant influence on your life, and why?

One of the biggest influences in my life has been my grandmother, Audrey. Throughout my childhood, she always made a point of teaching me about the Bible by sharing old Sunday school songs with me, and she is my biggest support as I pursue a bachelor’s degree in religion. I know that I can go to her for guidance, as she has always met me with love and gentleness. (And lots of baked goods, too.)

How are you involved at your corps?

During the school semester, I attend Southlands Community Church in Winnipeg. I play bass guitar on the worship team every other Sunday and enjoy the warm church family environment. I’d like to include a huge thank you to Henry Armstrong for driving me home from church every week and always making me feel wanted.

What inspires you about The Salvation Army?

What inspires me most is that our history is rooted deeply in social justice. This element of The Salvation Army is vital, as we are to love others the way Jesus did, without judgment, full of grace, leaving nobody behind.

What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them?

One of my favourite hobbies is making music, something I developed from my father, Dion. I have many memories of us singing and playing brass instruments together, and plan to make many more. I also love photography and capturing candid moments of joy with my Polaroid camera. I got into photography because of my mother, Jenelle, who is never slow to reach for her camera and has an eye for capturing beauty in a snapshot.

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