Introducing Colonel Julie Campbell: Christ-follower, coffee-drinker and empowerer of women.

Colonel Julie Campbell is inbound as the Territorial President of Women's Ministries of New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in 2020. We catch up with Julie, finding out what makes her tick and what she’s thinking about as she prepares for this new role.

Colonel Julie Campbell is an Australian officer currently serving as The Salvation Army Australia's Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries and Gender Equity Advocate. Julie says her mission in both roles is for others to meet Jesus and be developed in their strengths.

Being the eldest daughter of retired officer parents, Julie grew up 'knowing the love of God and being nurtured by a strong Christian family.' Julie and her husband Mark have three adult children, who live with their own families in Sydney. Julie describes herself as ‘practical and fully committed to loving and serving God’. She also loves coffee, saying, ‘I'm looking forward to checking out coffee shops with new friends in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa’.

It sounds like she'll fit right in when she becomes the Territorial President of Women's Ministries in 2020!

Julie’s vision for the army of women

As Julie prepares for the move, she tells us she is thanking God for 'all the gifts and abilities of The Salvation Army’s women and for their strong, faithful and creative service to God and others'. As she steps into her role, she will be praying that 'I, and every woman, will be confident and powerful witnesses of the transforming love and grace of God - an army of women that declare and demonstrate the greatness of God.'

'...an army of women that declare and demonstrate the greatness of God.'

Advocacy for women as a Gender Equity Advocate

This prayer is an extension of Julie’s current work. As Australia prepared to consolidate its two territories in 2018, their goal became ‘to be a territory in which God's intention for all people to flourish is realised.’ Colonel Julie was appointed as The Salvation Army Australia's Gender Equity Advocate in November 2018, to address and rectify areas where The Salvation Army was failing to allow women to flourish.

‘Initially, the focus was on identifying and addressing systems and processes that hinder equity for women officers, however this quickly extended to include all women within The Salvation Army.' It also included ‘challenging attitudes, behaviour and comments that do not demonstrate equity, diversity and respect’.

The three priorities identified were:

• To develop a culture in which biblical teaching and The Salvation Army value of women leadership informs our practice.
• The intentional development of women to reach their full potential.
• Ensure we have fair and just process which eliminate discriminatory and sexist practices.

Julie continues, 'We set a goal of minimum 40% women and men on the Territorial Board, all councils and committees and levels of leadership. We are excited to see our goal is being reached in many of our teams, with an increase in the number of women in leadership and management positions.'

‘Initially, the focus was on identifying and addressing systems and processes that hinder equity for women officers, however this quickly extended to include all women within The Salvation Army.' It also included ‘challenging attitudes, behaviour and comments that do not demonstrate equity, diversity and respect’.

Wins for women and The Salvation Army

Further gains resulting from this advocacy have been in instituting Paid Parental leave, the appointment of a Gender Equity committee to advise and monitor progress, strengthened HR support and Australia territory becoming more intentional in addressing bias and ‘appointing women officers on merit and experience’.

The Salvation Army Australia can now celebrate:

• Three of their six Divisional Commanders are women
• The spouse of Divisional Commanders are no longer in ‘default’ appointments
• The incoming Chief Secretary is a married woman officer
• All leaders and managers have attended 'Unconscious Bias' training
• Intensive leadership development training completed with two groups of women officers
• Reviewing officer appointment processes and succession planning to ensure best outcomes for all officers

Empowering people to serve an empowering God

Going forward, Julie speaks of her desire to see The Salvation Army strengthened and united in our faith and practice. 'I want to see continuous and courageous conversations and decisions that empower us all, male and female, to use our gifts, experience and passion for God.’ We asked Julie how she would describe the God that she wants others to know, and she thoughtfully replies, 'Life-giving, loving, empowering and faithful.'

Julie asks if we could pray for her, ‘That I will be brave as I leave my family, and that I will see what God is already doing in your territory so that I can be a partner and encourager of the women.’

We welcome you to our territory Colonel Julie Campbell, and commit to praying for your transition and advocacy for us! We will also be preparing to thank and farewell our outgoing President, Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp, as she retires at the end of this year.

Article written by: Rosy Keane

Rosy Keane is the Mission Leader of Women's Ministries in The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. She has served in Women's Ministries for five years, pioneering online spaces of community, grassroots resources, events and vibrant social media. Her background in spoken word performance and facilitating workshops have brought freedom of expression and 'structured vulnerability' to Salvationists and groups around the world.

She is passionate about women being freed from all constraints, to fully obey Christ and thrive in God's priesthood. Her background in art, design and poetry help fuel her passion and determination as she communicates this hope held out in the Gospel.

All articles by Rosy Keane