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Why did I become a Salvation Army officer? Short and simple, I heard and felt the call from God to become and officer.
In Hershey, Pennsylvania, General Shaw Clifton cuddled a little baby from my home corps (Salvation Army Center) and asked, “who will be this little baby’s corps officer?” Instantly, I answered, “me!” For many years, it seemed as if everyone was telling or encouraging me to be a corps officer. However I had something else on my mind and that was called the law!
I wanted to be a lawyer. My second grade teacher said, “You will either be an attorney or a preacher.” My high school offered college courses and internships in the field of law. I actually received a stipend to work with the Chief of Police’s secretary, and in the property clerk’s office. I had a lot of fun job shadowing the city’s attorney, patrolling with the police and finding shelter for the homeless.
While volunteering at The Salvation Army, performing the 90 hours of community service required by my high school to graduate, the corps officer made a deal with me to double my volunteer hours. I accepted the challenge and started my 180 hours at their first ever summer day camp. Those 180 hours soon doubled and tripled as I started helping at their after-school program. I went door to door inviting kids and talking to families about our new after school program. It was quite funny walking the inner city with the officer, as people wouldn’t come to the door because they mistakenly associated the officer uniform with police uniform.
Later, I gained my college degree in criminal justice and passed the NYS troopers exam but wasn’t financially secure enough to train the entire summer for the trooper’s physical ability test without compensation. During that time I attended The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training open house and felt God call me to become an officer.
Being a Salvation Army officer is not for everyone, but for me, it just happens to be very right! It is rewarding for me to be used by God to help those who are hurting and to see their lives transformed. I have had the opportunity to keep many people from harming themselves and others when life becomes overwhelming.
I am privileged to be part of a church that meets the practical needs of others like we do. 150 years later, our classic motto of “Soup, Soap, and Salvation” remains relevant even to today. We are an army of believers, sharing the message of hope, and declaring salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tags: Faces of The Army