Reconnecting to the Church and Serving the Salvos

Earlier this year, Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre resident John and his wife Mary were enrolled as Soldiers in The Salvation Army Corps during a heartwarming ceremony at Gill Waminda Chapel. Their journey and past connection to The Salvation Army, and to one another, however, started early on in life.

“I met my wife Mary when she was transferred into the same office within the Rural Bank of NSW,” says John. “We lost contact with each other when Mary moved to another job, but we reconnected later when a friend of Mary’s invited her to ‘The Singles Society,’ run by the Methodist Church.” John was also attending these events at the time.

One night, before the meeting started, John saw Mary coming up the stairs and, as they say… the rest is history! They began dating and got married in December 1978, with the arrival of their two sons in 1979 and 1982.

John first became involved with The Salvation Army as a teenager, attending Youth Group at Dee Why and Manly Corps. Once married, he reconnected to The Salvation Army, this time at Hornsby Corps. After a while, Mary and their two sons joined him as well.

Mary was enrolled as a Soldier in 1985, and John was enrolled the year after. “As it was only a small Corps, the officers needed people to help,” John explains. “Mary took on the role of Corps Cadet leader, teaching the officer’s daughters, whereas I helped with Boys Legion.” After moving to the country town of Orange, NSW, they attended The Salvation Army Corps until the year 2000, before moving across to the Presbyterian church.

On 10 August 2025, John and Mary were enrolled as Soldiers once more at Gill Waminda, where John now resides. Major Tuesday McCall, Envoy Christine Jameson, and Chaplain Carissa Dockary were present, with Major Tuesday officiating the ceremony.

“Also in attendance was our son, Stephen, and granddaughter Grace, both who attend the local Goulburn Corps,” says Mary. “Being re-enrolled required us to state “I do” to the Soldiers Covenant in front of our witnesses; our friends who belong to our new spiritual home.”

Their son Stephen took the position of flagbearer and held The Salvation Army flag, whilst their granddaughter, Grace, took photos of the ceremony. Salvos residents Daphen and Gwen also joined as witnesses, alongside Gwen’s niece Judy. “It was such a lovely morning shared together,” exclaims Chaplain Carissa.

Being enrolled as a Soldier is of the utmost importance to John. “It’s a way for me to be more connected and involved with the local Corps,” he says. “You learn more and you do more, that’s very important to me.”

When asked what advice he would give for anyone considering joining The Salvation Army Corps, John enthusiastically claims: “Go for it! You won’t regret it. I have been to many different churches, and I enjoy them all but, in The Salvation Army, you are more involved and hands on.” John also states he would encourage the next generation of young people to go to church and be actively involved, noting it’s a great way to learn and to help others.