In January 2024, Aux-Lieutenants Dianne and Eli Drodge were asked to participate in a Salvation Army service in Clarenville, N.L., and he led the prayer time.

“One of the verses was, ‘If doors should close then other doors will open,’ ” he says. ”That was on a Sunday. That Thursday, a new door was opened to us.” 

Stepping Away

Aux-Lieutenant Eli was born into The Salvation Army.

“I grew up in the church and was always involved,” he says. “As a young person, I always felt that I wanted to be a Salvation Army officer.”

Aux-Lieutenant Dianne also grew up in the Army. Although she wasn’t from a Christian home, her mother always made sure that she attended Sunday school when she was little.

“She also ensured that we said our nightly prayers, and I’m thankful for that,” she says. “The Salvation Army has always been a vital part of my life.”

The couple met prior to entering the College for Officer Training as part of the Servants of God Session in 1982. They were commissioned in 1984 and stayed officers until 2000.

That year, the couple made the difficult personal decision to step away from officership.

“It was tough,” they admit now. “But we were determined to continue on as soldiers of whatever corps we were at.” 

Long Time Coming

They were fortunate. The Drodges were a part of Salvation Army churches in Lethbridge, Musgravetown and Clarenville, N.L.

“We found ourselves involved right from the very beginning of our returning home. The three corps opened themselves up to us and we got involved as best we could,” smiles AuxLieutenant Eli.

“We were, to use a good Newfoundland expression, flat out. We were doing men’s ministries. We were doing couples’ ministries. Because Lethbridge was a circuit ministry, we were even preaching on occasion. And so even though we weren’t into the work as such, we never once felt that this was not for us.”

“The call of God never left me,” says Aux-Lieutenant Dianne. “And sometimes we were asked to do services when the corps officers were away from various corps, and so God continued to give opportunities of ministry, for which I’m thankful.”

“The Salvation Army was the only place for me.” AUX-LIEUTENANT DIANNE DRODGE

While they were raising a family and working—she at Walmart and he at Sobeys—they never lost sight of the Army.

“Once a Salvationist, always a Salvationist,” says Aux-Lieutenant Eli.

But while they both missed officership “terribly,” they never really thought for a moment that this opportunity would ever come again.

“After all, 25 years was a long time,” says Aux-Lieutenant Eli. 

Never Too Old

So matters stood for close to a quarter of a century—“a lifetime, really,” says Aux-Lieutenant Dianne.

Then, in February 2024, the Drodges received a call from the personnel department at territorial headquarters in Toronto.

“They asked us how we were doing and that sort of thing—and then inquired if we ever thought of returning to the ministry,” says Aux-Lieutenant Eli.

“Well, I thought it was a hoax,” he laughs. “It’s like the saying goes: ‘Anything that sounds too good to be true is oftentimes too good to be true.’ ”

Taken aback, the couple nevertheless thought and prayed about it.

“My first response was, ‘Man, we’re too old for this now,’ ” says Aux-Lieutenant Eli. 

But the personnel staff were quick to remind them that there were retired officers still doing the Lord’s work for the Army at 70 and 75 years old.

“So, if that’s the case, we’re still good for a little while more,” smiles Aux-Lieutenant Eli. “At the end of the day, we said yes. We had a sense of relief that we had a second chance.” 

Moving Past “Yes”

Once the couple accepted, everything happened quickly.

“It was almost too good to be true,” says Aux-Lieutenant Dianne.

No sooner was the paperwork completed, it seemed, than word came of an appointment, and before they knew it, the call came through in April 2024.

“And since last August, we have been in Glovertown/Charlottetown, N.L., doing circuit ministry, and it’s awesome,” she adds.

“We’re grateful that the Army gave us the opportunity of returning as full-time officers, a second chance to come back to ministry. God’s been blessing us over and over since August when we came to this appointment.” 

Opening the Door Again

As an officer, Aux-Lieutenant Dianne has had the opportunity to be a part of ecumenical services at different churches during her career.

"And while they were all unique and wonderful, I just felt that, for my body, soul and spirit, The Salvation Army was the only place for me. And that was confirmed over and over again.

“I grew up in the Army,” she continues, “and never thought about anything else because this was the denomination I felt comfortable with and grew up with and felt that that’s where I should be. I’m grateful for the opportunities that were available to us, and for friends and officers that have guided me along the way and have influenced my life.”

“It was something like 25 years before we came back to where we started,” says AuxLieutenant Eli. “We would have given anything to go back to it. And when we thought the door was shut forever, God opened it again. And we’re thankful for that.”