Q & A with the new Director for the International Social Justice Commission
Lt. Colonel Dean Pallant visits communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, The Philippines.
On March 1, Lt. Colonel Dean Pallant became the third director in the history of the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), based in New York City just a few blocks from the U.N.
Major John Murray, Communications and Literary Secretary at International Headquarters (IHQ), caught up with Pallant prior to his leaving London to talk about family life, moving and his new ministry at the ISJC.
JM: Dean, tell us about your family history and why you became a Salvation Army officer.
DP: I was born in Zimbabwe in the heart of Africa. Both of my grandparents were British Salvation Army officers and appointed to serve in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the 1930s and 1940s. My mother was born there and my father arrived from England as an 11-year-old boy immediately after the end of World War II.
I grew up in the corps in Salisbury (now Harare) in the 1970s during the liberation war...I felt called to be a Salvation Army officer when I was 15 years old. You asked me “why I became a Salvation Army officer?” The answer is as simple. God called me. If you know God has called you, then you should go and sign up now. What other reason do you need? If the creator, governor and sustainer of all creation has a specific task for you, just do it.
I was wisely advised to get some qualifications and life experience before applying for officer training. I went to the University of Cape Town and completed a degree majoring in psychology, administration and biblical studies. I then worked as a personnel officer in gold and coal mines in South Africa. This was during the 1980s. Nelson Mandela was still in prison and it was a very turbulent period of history. I had to grow up fast as I was involved in complex trade union negotiations, a number of violent strikes on the mines, and came face-to-face with the pain and suffering caused by apartheid. I learned much during these years. This was an essential part of my preparation for life as a Salvation Army officer. In 1990, just days after Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison, I flew to London and entered the officer training school in 1991.
JM: Reflecting on your personal and spiritual growth and ministry, do you have any mentors who have significantly impacted your spiritual life and learning?
DP: I have been blessed with many mentors. I grew up in a wonderful corps, Harare City, with many inspirational local officers. My parents have both served as local officers for more than 50 years and they testify to being called to be local officers—not to full-time officership. I respect their calling as much as my own. Over the past 10 years I have met regularly with a professional woman local officer who has mentored me. I have found it important to seek out people who will give me constructive criticism. This has been very helpful in my personal development.
I have also been inspired by many officers. Commissioners Paul and Margaret du Plessis, now retired, are both graduates of the University of Cape Town and their friendship over many years has been a great blessing. I was a soldier at Bromley Temple Corps before going into training and was mentored by the corps officers, then-Majors Shaw and Helen Clifton. After commissioning, my first divisional commander was then Major Robert Street, a wonderful example of a leader. It is dangerous mentioning people by name because there are so many people who have mentored me.
JM: We understand that you have a passion for international development and the global social service and health care ministry of The Salvation Army. Tell our readers how your experience has helped shape your perspective and prepared you for this new role in New York.
DP: My wife, Eirwen, and I have had the tremendous privilege of coordinating The Salvation Army’s health ministry around the world for the past seven years. Eirwen is a medical doctor and we served for four years in Zambia in the 1990s at The Salvation Army’s Chikankata Hospital. We came to IHQ in 2007 tasked with developing an international strategy for Salvation Army health ministry. We have been able to support the implementation of this strategy. Two highlights were the opening of the new Harry Williams Hospital in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and the new Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe.
Being healthy is not just about hospital buildings or even dependent on doctors, nurses and technology. All these are needed, but the priority is to help people experience life in all its fullness. It has been our privilege to see Salvation Army health ministry increasingly help people experience better health in body, but that is only part of the solution. People also need healthy relationships—with their family and friends, their communities, and most importantly, Jesus Christ.
During our service at IHQ, I completed a doctorate degree in theology at King’s College London. I am very grateful my leaders encouraged me to study. I researched how Salvation Army health ministry could be more faithful. This period of intensive study was very formative and has opened many doors to influence policy both within The Salvation Army and beyond our ranks.
I have now worked in 44 territories and four commands; the Army’s ministry around the world is tremendous, inspiring and humbling. I have never been more convinced of The Salvation Army’s God-given integrated mission to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity. When Salvationists commit to integrated mission, God blesses the work remarkably...I think this is very important in terms of our work at the International Social Justice Commission. The Salvation Army will not have any credibility in calling for justice and reconciliation in the world unless we exemplify justice and reconciliation internally.
JM: ‘Social justice’ is not simply a buzzword but a real and significant issue that Salvationists around the world are fighting for. Readers will be interested to learn about your definition of ‘social justice’ and how you plan to engage nongovernmental (NGO) organizations and Salvationists in the global fight of justice.
DP: It seems to me the term is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Some Christians—even some Salvationists—appear to think social justice is only promoted by left-wing politicians. Some seem to think ‘social justice’ is about The Salvation Army’s relationship with the United Nations. It is much more than that.
My understanding of social justice is grounded in God’s justice. God desires boundless justice for every part of creation. Justice is for all people, in every part of life, in every society, without discrimination. ‘The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,’ as William Booth famously wrote. Our commitment to seek God’s justice must be a real and significant issue for every Salvationist because justice is at the heart of salvation and holiness.
‘The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine’ explains: ‘All our activities, practical, social and spiritual, arise out of our basic conviction of the reality of the love of God and our desire to see all people brought into relationship with him…Our doctrine reminds us that salvation is holistic: the work of the Holy Spirit touches all areas of our life and personality; all physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, our relationships with our families and with the world around us’ (page 160).
This doctrine is foundational to our understanding of justice. The Salvation Army’s fight for justice must be concerned about every area of life, every relationship, in every part of the world.
I have been reflecting on the book of Jeremiah in preparing for this appointment. Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse in many parts of the world, but sadly people misinterpret this verse as a promise of prosperity. In fact, chapter 29 is a challenge to each of us to promote justice in the fallen, messy, challenging places where God has sent us.
“Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare” (Jer. 29:7 CEB). For the Israelites it meant exile in Babylon—a place with little justice, much pain and much suffering. Despite this, the word of the Lord to Jeremiah was that they must stay in exile and serve—their future depended in it.
Fighting for justice in not an optional extra for Salvationists—justice is at the heart of God’s salvation plan. Seeking justice must be central to The Salvation Army’s mission. We must seek the welfare of the city to which we have been called.
JM: When a new president takes office in the United States, Americans hear a lot about the first 100-day agenda. Can you share with our readers your goals and aspirations for your first 100 days in office and what your strategy is for enhancing the important work of your predecessors, Colonel Geanette Seymour and Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan.
DP: I am so glad I am not a politician. We will use the first 100 days to listen and learn. Commissioner MacMillan and Colonel Seymour have been exceptional pioneers in establishing the ISJC. Eirwen and I will take time to build on their work and connect closely with the other members of the ISJC team.
Having said that we know we are going to be busy. There are a couple of big tasks already in the diary. Eirwen is chairing an international task force to develop The Salvation Army’s response against human trafficking. I am coordinating a session at the Boundless Congress on Friday, July 3 at 1:30p.m. General André Cox will join a panel of global experts to discuss how people of faith can better contribute to the fight for social justice in the 21st century. I hope to meet many readers of New Frontier Chronicle on that occasion.
Report by Major John Murray
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