All in a day's work

Seeing lives changed, making tough calls and knowing who you are in Christ, is all in a day’s work for a Salvation Army officer, says Nathan Holt.

My parents and family raised me to carry faith in God. I grew up in The Salvation Army, becoming a soldier at age 14. I went through the typical teenage rebellion and ‘crisis of faith’ kind of thing. I questioned a lot of things and didn’t really live like I was following Jesus.

When I was 20, I really started to dig into my Bible and that was what changed my faith. I spent two years exclusively studying the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). I found it impossible to ignore Jesus’ teaching on mission and loving people.

The Salvation Army spirit is that of mission and a love for people. In our two and a half years of officership, my wife Naomi and I have had the privilege of planting a Salvation Army corps (church) in Rolleston, Christchurch. This has been, and continues to be, a great adventure. It’s fulfilling seeing people come to grips (all at their own pace) with what it means to be loved by God, called by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

There have been young people who have finally found a place to ask questions, young adults who have finally found mission and purpose, young families who have finally found freedom from religious obligation, and others who have finally found a place to call ‘family’ where they are accepted and cared for ... that kind of thing never gets old. We get to see it a lot.

My role as an officer has given me the opportunity to speak into many local issues in Rolleston. I am able to represent the voice of the people in local government, on social issues, on boards and in meetings that most people wouldn’t be privileged to be a part of.

The greatest challenge of being an officer, I feel, is accepting the responsibilities of being a leader. The challenges that exist within that sphere are almost endless. Officers have to make some tough calls. Officers have to make decisions that impact entire groups of people. Officers have to decide every day who they are going to stand for and how they are going to do it. These moments are always challenging. I have to know what Jesus has called me to do every day. That’s the only thing that works for me.

To be an officer, I would say that you first need to know what God has called you to do. Then do it. Find what breaks your heart, and then use what you love to conquer that heartbreak. If you know your calling and know what you are meant to do for God, ask yourself this question: ‘Will being an officer help or hinder my ministry?’ Then you’ll have your answer. Officership is leadership. It is about representing a movement. You lose yourself. You wear the uniform. You work tirelessly with and for people, with and for the community, with and for the people you interact with.

Helping people is what every person who proclaims Christ as their Saviour should make a part of their everyday life. I don’t think that the Bible reads any other way. Do ministry, as defi ned by Jesus in the gospels. Do it in a way that is natural to you. That is the call of every person. Helping people is not an offi cer’s duty. It is a Christian duty.

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By Nathan Holt (c) 'War Cry' magazine, 25 June 2016, pp 9
You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources.