It took Dudley Coles 10 years to plan and write Leap of Faith, a book in which he condenses 60 adventurous years into 180 page of text. Upon meeting Commissioner Coles, a retired Salvation Army officer, one might easily be deceived by his quiet, humble demeanour and think him just a doting, old gentleman. However, nothing can be farther from the truth.

This octogenarian has lived the kind of adventurous life that most of us can only dream of. As a teenager he served in the Royal Navy aboard the cruiser HMS Mauritus, participating in naval battles in the North Atlantic. As a young man he set sail, with his wife and children, for missionary work in India. There he spent some 20 years of ministry in various parts of South Asia, including Pakistan and Sir Lanka, amid dangerous times and challenging circumstances. As a seasoned officer, he became editor-in-chief of Salvation Army publications in Canada, and completed his career at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London, England, as head of the South Asia Department, a position that put him in a position of advisor to the General, the international leader of The Salvation Army.

Few of us have the stamina to sit down and write a book containing tens of thousands of words. Even fewer of us would think of doing so when we are more than 80 years old. So Leap of Faith is in itself a leap of faith. As one reads the book it becomes clear that the life of Dudley Coles is a whole series of leaps of faith in which he exercises his faith in Christ and leaps to the occasions that God puts before him. The book is a celebration of a life well-lived and a challenge for those just beginning.

On September 20 some 80 friends and family members gathered at the Burlington Community Church of The Salvation Army, 2090 Prospect Street, to witness the official launch of the book. With little fanfare but a lot of enthusiasm and anticipation Leap of Faith made its official debut, yet another chapter in the life of an extraordinary humble man.

Copies of Leap of Faith may be purchased for $19.95 (including taxes) by contacting the author at www.colespublishing.com.

To read Salvationist.ca's review of Leap of Faith, click here.