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On Saturday 11 July a Church Army service of admitting and commission was held at Sheffield Cathedral. This is the official service of commissioning lay ministers and admitting them into the Office of Evangelists after they have completed their three year training with Church Army.
This year, one of those being commissioned was Donna Holmes Elmore who ministers at St Mary the Virgin Church, Burton Latimer, part of the Kettering deanery.
Donna’s story is one of compassion, encouragement, and a deep desire to help others find hope in Jesus. Alongside her Church Army training, she serves through St Mary’s, Burton Latimer, supporting youth ministry, school prayer clubs, community café outreach, and autistic young people and families in her role as a peer support worker.
Her faith began through the quiet influence of her grandmother, who introduced her to church as a child and shared simple prayers and Bible verses.
“Looking back now, I can see how much my nan influenced me,” Donna reflects.
Donna’s journey towards evangelism began when she met an Evangelist-in-Training who introduced her to Church Army. Through key friendships and encouragement, she came to recognise God’s call on her life. Deeply moved by the organisation’s heart for those on the margins of society, she felt God stirring something new within her.
“I was immediately drawn to it,” she says. “Especially the work with people who wouldn’t necessarily step into church buildings.”
Church Army training has transformed Donna spiritually, personally, and professionally.
“It stretches you in every possible way,” she says. “Your faith, your confidence, your understanding of scripture, mission, evangelism, and yourself.”
During training, Donna discovered she was neurodivergent, helping her better understand both herself and those she supports. With encouragement and tailored support, she became a passionate advocate for inclusion in church life.
“Church Army believed in me and removed barriers that might otherwise have stopped me training.”
Today, her ministry reflects that same spirit of inclusion. Whether supporting young people, families, or those visiting the community café, Donna is committed to helping people feel seen, valued, and loved.
“I think being a Church Army Evangelist is about humility, compassion, and seeing things that others don’t always see,” she explains. “It’s about sharing the love of Christ with those who may never otherwise encounter it.”
One of the greatest blessings of training has been the community formed with fellow Evangelists-in-Training.
“We really become brothers and sisters in Christ,” she says. “We build one another up, encourage each other, pray for one another, and carry each other through the difficult moments.”
Donna describes the admitting and commissioning service as a both a celebration and an affirmation of the journey God has led her on over many years. Looking ahead, Donna is passionate about chaplaincy, mental health support, outdoor worship, and advocating for neurodiverse individuals in church and community life.
She asks for prayer for wisdom, strength, and guidance as she takes this next step, and that many more people would encounter the love, hope, and compassion of Christ through her ministry.