Bethel Baptist became church home to Shirley. There, she received solid Bible preaching. She studied and memo­rized Scripture. She began to pray biblically, that is, in the Name of Jesus. And, as she began to grow and mature in Christ, she taught Sunday School in an outreach ministry. 

        Just like Bill Jackson had experienced, Shirley also discov­ered that her family and friends didn’t understand her any more. Her desires were all changed. Things that had once at­tracted her did so no more. Without fully understanding it her­self at the time, Shirley had found the secret to victory over the old life. Having once taken her eyes off herself and on to the Crucified One, she kept looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [her] faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

        It’s true Shirley wasn’t struggling with some of the more open problems which sin brings. Yet, the principle is true for everybody. All have sinned, and Jesus is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). “Come unto Me,” He urges, adding the promise, “And I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

        Archie and Fay were a bit cool towards their daughter’s con­version, but they were not opposed. Archie commented, “She’s old enough to know what she wants and to do what she wants.” 

        About a year after she was saved, Shirley heard a Youth for Christ speaker preach a message challenging Christians to surrender their lives to God’s will. During that meeting, it became clear to Shirley that God had all rights to her life. It was a joyful decision for her to go forward and kneel as a sign of her willingness to be obedient, no matter what God asked her to do. 

        Some months later, Marshall Calverley, a Northern Canada Evangelical Mission worker spoke to the group at Bethel Junior Bible Class. As Marshall shared his own story of surrender to God and His call to missionary service in the North, the Holy Spirit impressed upon Shirley’s eager heart the burden of spiritual need which existed in the vast northern reaches of her own country. How many settlements, reserves, groups and individuals plodded through life without ever hearing the pure Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Something stirred deeply Within Shirley as Marshall spoke. Could God be calling her to a life of missionary service? 

        That evening, God confirmed to Shirley the inner conviction that this was His will for her. God was indeed calling her to missionary service among Native people. “Yes, God,” was her heart’s response. It would mean Bible School training. “Yes, Lord.” Sacrifice of whatever God required of her. “Yes, Lord.” Shirley’s surrender was total. God was calling her. With new joy she began to plan the details of enrolling in Bible School for the 1953/54 school year.