Retired officer ministers by penning words
While a retired Salvation Army officer, Major Joyce Harmer continues to minister to people through writing emails and letters. (Photo by Major Bruce Harmer)
Whether sitting on her backyard verandah, at her office desk or dining room table, retired Salvation Army officer, Major Joyce Harmer has made her home the base for her ministry work.
Temporarily housebound due to a recent operation, Major Joyce continues her ministry at home whether on the phone, writing emails or letters.
Since retiring from appointed service in 2004, Joyce’s heart remains the same as it did when signed up to become a Salvation Army officer in her late teenage years.
“God gave me a heart and compassion for people,” she explains.
Unlike her husband, Major Hilton Harmer (ret.) who prefers to remain out in the mission field, evangelising and ministering to people, Major Joyce prefers to complete her ministry at home. But she often leaves the house to visit her ageing neighbours.
Before retiring, Majors Joyce and Hilton were instrumental in starting the court chaplaincy ministry The Salvation Army has today. While Major Joyce has officially left her call of duty as a court chaplain, she felt her ministry in this field had some unfinished business.
“I guess it’s probably stemmed from my court contacts and people who somehow connected in a deeper way. When the court case was over there was still that need for caring, comfort and encouragement,” she explains.
Major Joyce has continued her caring ministry through the simple act of penning words. She writes to anyone in need whether they are in hospital, jail or a random individual she has met on the street.
“I’m retired from appointed service but you sort of never retire,” says Major Joyce. “I believe you can be a chaplain or helper or carer at a bus stop or on the train. Wherever I go I seek every day for God to give me eyes to see the needs of people, a heart for feel their hurt [and] a willingness to do something about it.”
Her email inbox is chockablock with emails from individuals and families from her days working as a court chaplain and from new relationships she has developed since retirement.
In particular, Major Joyce explains she has a heart for ministering to women. Describing her ministry as “practical”, Major Joyce makes herself available to these women day and night.
“If they know there’s a lifeline, that there’s someone there that they have already spoken to who knows all about the situation and who’s willing to listen. I encourage them, if they choose to, to give me a call and offload and talk.”
Major Joyce says she simply sees her work as a ministry of encouragement. She says she feels comfortable just being there for people who are going through turbulent times. For this reason she plans to continue her writing for as long she can physically can.
Her motto for life, she says, comes from one of her favourite songs: "If I can help somebody as I pass along then my living will not be in vain".
Comments
I have just finished reading your book An Angel in the Court Joyce. You are such a loving,caring servent of the Lord. I respect and give thanks to a fellow Sister in Christ who is so humble. Thank you Joyce for sharing your amazing story and giving hope to those who dont have any...Love Diane
Joyce and Hilton your dedication to God and your fellow man is very inspirational. When God said leave the judgement to Him. Just be a vessel of love and compassion to your fellow man and I will do the rest. In your book we have seen God at work through you in situations so unbelievable that it makes you realize that God can do far more abundantly than anything That we could ask or think. God bless you in your retirement.