As The Salvation Army’s Atlantic divisional candidates secretary, Major Louise Pond is well aware that officer recruitment is a priority for the territory. And one of the priorities for the recruitment strategy is to identify potential candidates for officership.

But how to get potential candidates enthused and motivated?

“My vision was to invite candidates in the Newfoundland region to participate in a local kind of mission experience,” explains Major Pond, who is responsible for Bermuda, Quebec, the Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador. “But Lt-Colonel Scott Rideout, our divisional commander, challenged me to dream bigger. So, the divisional candidates committee supported the idea of taking a group of candidates to Bermuda.”

Why Bermuda?

“Newfoundlanders and Bermudians have always had a great relationship,” Major Pond replies. “We’re all islanders and, of course, islanders are unique people! We have a deep appreciation for each other’s unique geography, history and culture. As well, a number of officers from Newfoundland have served in Bermuda and have been very well received.”

The Team Assembles

Major Pond selected a candidates team that represented various career backgrounds and seasons of life, as well as potential pathways to ministry.

For instance, school teacher Lori Barry, who attends Grand Falls Citadel in Grand Falls Windsor, N.L., is approaching retirement, so officership would be a second career for her, something to which she feels called.

Maddilynn Stacey is a 17-year-old from Hodge’s Cove, N.L., who attends Little Heart’s Ease Corps. After graduating from high school in June, she became a candidate in February and is excited to explore officership.

Tylor and Ashley Barrett are a young professional couple from Gander, N.L., in their early 30s. Ashley, a sheriff, and Tylor, a municipal police officer, are looking to exchange one uniform for another.

“They were explorers in their own way,” says Major Pond, “young professionals thinking of stepping away from their careers and doing full-time vocational ministry.”

“Life-Changing”

In April, the group spent six days in Bermuda.

This was no spring break, however. There was hard work and application, and the team was involved in various types of ministry while they were there.

“For example,” says Major Pond, “we spent an evening at a shelter where we engaged in meaningful conversation with the residents.”

One of the volunteers had set up a time where the team and the clients could bake and decorate cupcakes together.

“It was an incredible evening,” says Major Pond.

The evening made an impact on not only the residents at the shelter but the candidates as well.

“As we sat there as a team, decorated cupcakes with the folks and joined in chorus to sing Every Praise, my joy for the Lord was overwhelmingly evident,” recalls Stacey. “As I left that evening, I remember the only words I could say were, ‘Wow, that experience was truly life-changing.’ ”

The Barretts were staying with Lieutenant Almeta Ward, corps officer at St. George’s Corps, and her husband, Lieutenant Lester Ward, executive director of Bermuda Community Services.

“Everything was very well-planned and executed,” says Tylor. “We entered as strangers but left as friends, having had practical talks about commitment and what it looks like to be a Salvation Army officer.”

Sharing and Interacting

The group also spent time at a food bank, packing hampers and serving clients, and ministered on the soup van.

“We went out on the streets, delivering soup and sandwiches and other food supplies,” says Barry. “We shared with people, we listened to their stories, we laughed and we cried. At one point, we were on the side of the road singing worship songs, clapping our hands and, yes, even dancing a little. It was a memory I will cherish forever.”

On the Saturday, the group participated in a Design for Life seminar, an opportunity where individuals can come together to look at various ways that they can serve in ministry, whether in a local context, employment relationship or officership.

“It was a time where the team could explore what God’s design was specifically for their lives,” says Major Pond. “The seminar doesn’t have a specific focus on officership, but that was one aspect that they could explore.”

The following Sunday, there was a united worship service at St. George’s Corps with all four Bermudian corps in attendance.

“The event was well-attended, and it was an invigorating experience to be able to worship with the Bermudians and the candidates,” says Major Pond.

Barry preached from the pulpit and Stacey shared some of her personal story, how she came to faith and where she feels God is leading her now. Tylor also spoke about his life, and Ashley did a Scripture reading and participated in the service. 

The team also shared a meal with all the officers on the island, so they could interact with the candidates.

“At the end of the trip, some of the officers on the island told the team, ‘You have made an impact here.’ But as a team, we were affected by how we were received,” says Major Pond.

The Shape of Things to Come

Building on the success of this trip, Major Pond hopes to bring some Bermudians to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2027. And she also hopes to plan for some candidates from Quebec to come to the Maritimes in the coming months.

The trip was pivotal in the team’s decision to move forward with exploring and committing to full-time vocational ministry.

“For Tylor and Ashley, it was affirming of their personal call,” believes Major Pond.

“This ministry tour has shown me the crucial work and services The Salvation Army provides to the residents of Bermuda and abroad,” says Tylor. “While it was a busy week, I felt it was a great spiritual reprieve, putting others first and God above all else.”

“The trip certainly reaffirmed my decision to be a candidate, and it strengthened my desire for full-time ministry,” concludes Barry. “I want to be a part of this great Army that is the hands and feet of God.”

Photos: Courtesy of Major Louise Pond