As the Permanent Secretary for Health in the Government of Bermuda, I provide administrative and policy support to the Minister of Health. I hold direct responsibility for the operations of Ministry Headquarters as Chief Accounting Officer and provide oversight and support for Public Health, hospitals, health insurance, seniors and the Bermuda Health Council.

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I grew up attending Hamilton Citadel, but I've been worshipping at Cedar Hill in Warwick for close to 12 years. For the past 11 years, I've been the corps bandmaster and have also served as the bandmaster for the Bermuda Divisional Band for 10 years.

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I've been married to Joanne for 27 years. We have two children, Jomal, 34, and Kyle, 26. We also have three grandchildren, E'ja, nine, Ze'aje, six, and Sage, two, and two German shepherds that play a significant role in our family life, Dash and Shem.

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I became a Christian at a very young age. My mother always ensured that my brother and I were in Sunday school each week. From there, I became involved in music camp. Once I became associated with the music program of the Army, it was established as my church for life. However, it was during my teen years at youth councils that I realized that the world held nothing for me and I made the decision to follow Christ. At times I have taken advantage of those blessings and not lived my life as fully as I should have. In 1994, while pursuing my master's degree, I came to a greater realization of Christ and the role he should play in my life directly and in my music generally. From that point on, I have felt that it is God who is in control and that it is my job to follow him.

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I appreciate that we have an Army heritage based on outreach. We are readily identifiable in our uniform, and as a result, we gain access to situations and opportunities that might not fall to those in other denominations. I am very proud of the Army uniform and what it represents.

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The most rewarding aspect of my occupation is the opportunity to ensure that health services are provided to the community of Bermuda at an international standard. It is a blessing and an honour to be at the head of one of the most important ministries of the Government of Bermuda.

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Some people tend to take their health for granted and, in some cases, do not have the financial foundation to be able to cover their health needs that are not met by health insurance. Finding the resources to assist these people is a challenge.

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Bermuda is presently in the midst of what might be called a health-care overhaul. We are redeveloping our acute care hospital, implementing a mental health plan for the country, introducing a second phase of a health-care plan for seniors, regulating health-care professionals that are presently not regulated, and attempting to implement these and other initiatives in the midst of a difficult economic situation. I believe that God is in control. Regardless of what I might not be able to control or predict, he has a plan. I trust in that plan and try to never let my fears or concerns override my trust in God.

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The Church must stand up and take its place as the moral compass of the community. There was a time when the Church lobby in Bermuda impacted public policy. Politicians were afraid to make certain decisions because they recognized that the leaders of the church held an influence over whether or not they could get re-elected. The Church has grown silent. We are afraid to speak out on the issues that are affecting our community. We are concerned that the message must be politically correct as opposed to giving leadership based on biblical principles. In Bermuda, topics of discussion and concern are youth violence, drugs, gambling and the present economic climate. The Church has a role to play in assisting the public in understanding where it stands on all of these matters.

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My hope is that The Salvation Army will not put its financial needs and wants ahead of its moral responsibility to speak out strongly on the ills of our community. I would like to see us act like an Army and not be afraid to be on the frontlines sharing God's Word and Christian principles and offering real evidence of “heart to God, hand to man,” regardless of the opposition that comes our way.

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In this Witness series, John McAlister, Senior Editor, interviews Salvationists from across the territory about their families, work, faith and involvement with The Salvation Army.