Bruce Cluett is the emergency disaster services (EDS) co-ordinator for St. John’s, N.L., and area.

When did you first become part of The Salvation Army? 

I grew up in Grand Bank, N.L., and was part of The Salvation Army. In my early years, things like corps cadets and junior soldiers helped with our understanding. I was also a member of the salvation singers and played sec - ond cornet in the band. 

My uncle was an officer, and people saw me going in that direction, but it wasn’t my plan. Having grown up in The Salvation Army, it was all I knew. When I started working, I wanted to see what it was like on the other side, which I had never experienced before. I turned my back on God, but he did not turn his back on me.

My wife, Sharon, didn’t have a Salvation Army background, but after we had our first child, she wanted to be saved. We were living in Lower Sackville, N.S., at the time. The Sunday came when she rose from her chair, handed me the baby, and went to the mercy seat.

Shortly after that, I gave my life back to God and have never looked back. In times of struggle, God has been there to comfort. He has placed people in my path to guide and support me.

In my walk with God, the support of others, the teachings of William and Catherine Booth, and the mission of The Salvation Army to help people at their point of need are important to me. I’m looking forward to the day when I walk through the gates of heaven and see my mom and dad again.

How did you get involved with EDS ? 

I first became involved with EDS in Halifax. While a member of the Lower Sackville Corps, I played in the worship team, and we also formed a street outreach team. After we returned to Newfoundland and Labrador, I was asked to become the local EDS co-ordinator for Metro St. John’s and surrounding area. We have brought five Salvation Army corps on board to help grow this ministry. 

I have been involved in multiple EDS responses, from evacuations to fires, but it’s the local street ministry that gives me a constant blessing. It’s our calling as Salvation Army soldiers to get outside the four walls of the church and onto the street. Helping others is a way of “washing feet,” as Jesus did in the Bible.

We do the street ministry every Thursday night, rain or shine. We pray before we commence and we pray after for those we have met. We pray with clients both on the street and during other emergencies. We see sadness, joy and uncertainty that we pray for in all locations. We recently had a husband and wife come to us when their son was murdered and wanted us to pray with them. 

In our ministry with our downtown community of friends, we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, a beacon of hope to those needing care. To provide a safe, unconditional love encounter, while speaking of the power of God, and to witness transformative change is a blessing.

I always advise my team that sometimes your impact on others may not be real to you now, but it will be visible in time. We have had people approach our team and thank them for helping them get their life together.

How else are you involved with your corps?

I am on the worship team at Mount Pearl Citadel, N.L., and play bass guitar and several other instruments. I also co-ordinate monthly chapels, with Scripture reading and songs of joy, for two seniors’ homes. And I coordinate the JOY (Just Older Youth) group for people 55 and up. 

When you reflect on your spiritual journey, how has God been with you?

Having my wife, Sharon, with me on this walk has made things easier. I also thank God for putting people in my path, such as Majors Rick and Deana Zelinsky, and Dan Millar, for helping me keep close to the cross as I volunteer for EDS. There are times when you need these external people to comfort and guide you through the tough times of both successes and concerns. I thank them for being there with me on my walk.

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