New Salvation Army lieutenants take first steps into officership
Twenty new Salvation Army officers of the Australia Eastern Territory, only commissioned in early December, are ready to put their heart and soul into their new roles.
Late last week they took up their first appointments. Their new roles now see this previously tight-knit group, which spent two years living and studying together at the Army’s Booth College in Sydney, now spread across NSW, Queensland and the ACT. Hailing from different backgrounds, they are united by a love for God and passion for community.
“We both felt a direct calling into community work,” says Lieutenant Dominic Wallis in describing the journey he and his wife, Samantha, made into officership.
Prior to entering the training college, Dominic was a children’s case worker with The Salvation Army. The job involved everything from working with children in juvenile detention centres to being a youth pastor in Tamworth.
The decision to become Salvation Army officers was a natural step for Dominic and Samantha who were spurred on by the opportunity to work together as a full-time team.
They are delighted with their appointment as officers of Shoalhaven Corps on the NSW South Coast. “It’s a little overwhelming, but we are looking forward to being a support for the community and meeting new people,” says Dominic.
Lieut Bronwyn Burnett has been a Salvationist for more than 13 years. From Tweed Heads, she has been appointed as Assistant Corps officer at Campsie in Sydney.
“I believe I’m in the right place at the right time,” says Bronwyn. “I love community and I love cultures … I’m looking forward to getting amongst all the different cultures here in Campsie.”
For Lieuts Rod and Deb Parsons, their new appointment to Albury Corps is more than they could have hoped for. “We are country folk at heart and love the community that is found in country towns,” says Rod.
Fifteen years ago, Rod and Deb Parsons swapped their busy lives in the city for the NSW country town of Cooma. Both committed Christians, they eventually began working for The Salvation Army in Cooma - Deb in administration and Rod managing the Family Store.
“Many years ago we found a real home with The Salvation Army and ever since we have wanted to extend that home to others around our country,” says Rod.
The new officers, along with dozens of other appointment changes across the Australia Eastern Territory, officially started on 10 January.
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