A Life of Service to The Salvation Army

“My Father was a shearer, and sadly, a violent alcoholic. Our home was a constant scene of domestic violence,” tells Retired Salvation Army Officer and Salvos Home Care client, Major Barry Pobjie. A chance contact with Officers serving The Salvation Army in his hometown of Harden, however, changed the trajectory of his life.  

“We were regularly visited by two Salvation Army Officers,” he says. “Here began my contact with the Movement which was to occupy my life.” Originally planning to become a Methodist Clergyman, Barry notes that, “the influence of The Salvation Army proved to be a ‘coming home’ experience,” he says, “So, I made my application, passed – just - and proceeded to Sydney to The Salvation Army Officer Training College in Petersham.”  

It was here that Barry met his first wife, Ruth and they soon set out to their first appointment in Roma, South Queensland. Shortly after this, and prior to moving to Toowong, their first son, Brenton, was born. “From Toowong, we were appointed to Papua New Guinea where we stayed for two years,” Major Barry explains. “This appointment prepared us in coming to an understanding of cross-culture evangelism.  I learned much about cross-cultural life and ministry that was to serve me well in the years to follow.”  

The family then moved back to Australia, settling first in Sydney, before moving to Canberra, where Barry was appointed to work in Public Relations. His wife, Ruth, spent most of the appointment leading women’s ministries and caring for their children. Tragically, Ruth was killed in a road accident, just outside Tamworth. “Ruth’s death was instantaneous.  Suddenly I was left with two children aged 3 and 9 years old.” 

Following Ruth’s death, Barry returned to the staff of the Officer Training College. “Among my duties was to take the College mail into Territorial Headquarters and return mail to the College,” Major Barry states. “This meant that each week I met and developed a friendship with the Secretary to the Personnel Secretary, Captain Raemor Wilson. This friendship developed into love, and we were married. I inherited a loving wife. Raemor gained a husband and two children!” 

For Major Raemor, her journey with The Salvation Army began with her own parents being Salvation Army Officers. “At that time, I struggled a little with what I thought I would need to surrender and the narrow path I would need to follow,” she explains. “I never imagined that my path in Officership would be so enriching, fulfilling - full of opportunities and adventures that I would never have thought possible.” 

The couple shared many appointments during their time as Officers, with Major Barry having visited 55 countries and Raemor 51. “Some years after Barry and I had married, we felt God was asking us to be willing to go overseas,” she says. This led the Barry and Raemor to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Russia. “Moving to Russia was the hardest experience of my life,” Raemor states. “Everything was different.  The everyday living was different; the things were needed to do in our ministry were different.” 

“I cannot imagine how I could have experienced the richness of people and places in any other vocation,” Raemor says, of her life lived in service to The Salvation Army. “As a young person, I was anxious that I would have to sacrifice some of the things that seemed important to me. Now I know that we cannot ‘out-give’ God.” As for Barry? “Simply say ‘yes’ and let God handle the detail,” he says. “Say ‘yes’ and keep on saying ‘yes’ and enjoy the ride. You will be surprised where He leads you.” 

Now, the couple's life has come full circle, with their children involved in Officership and Barry a Salvos Home Care client. “The Salvos Home Care workers are wonderful and help us to manage the things we can no longer do.  We are blessed!” tells Raemor.