Ian Pollard is the divisional emergency disaster services (EDS) director in the British Columbia Division. He attends Cascade Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

When did you first become part of The Salvation Army?

I was raised in a Christian home and attended church at an early age with my family. We moved to Canada from England when I was 10 years old. My sister and I were invited to Sunday school at the local Salvation Army corps, and there was a bus ministry that picked kids up. We all started to attend regularly, and that’s where I made a commitment to Jesus and became a junior soldier.

After we moved to a different neighbourhood, my parents settled in another church, and sports and studies became more of a priority for me. But when I got my driver’s licence, I started attending the Army again, recommitting myself to God and becoming a senior soldier. 

How did you get involved with EDS?

After getting married, I started working for the Army in community and family services and as a youth pastor. Then I pursued a career in banking, which was rewarding but very time-consuming. Along the way, I volunteered in various ministries, including EDS.

After 20 years in banking, I felt God was calling me to full-time ministry. My wife and I went to an officership information weekend, but then an opportunity to rejoin The Salvation Army as an employee came up around the same time. Many of the skills I learned in the business world were transferable to EDS, and I felt this was where God was leading me, and that I could still be effective in ministry as an employee. 

How many EDS responses have you been involved with over the years?

Probably about 80, keeping in mind that some can be small, such as a local building fire, or much larger, such as a wildfire, flood or hurricane. About 10 were larger responses.

Do any responses stand out to you?

The first that stands out was the atmospheric river that caused flooding in British Columbia in 2021. The main highways into the Interior were all damaged or closed, and we had to get creative to deliver supplies to inaccessible areas, including using government helicopters, which was a first for us, and some small private planes.

A second is the 2023 wildfire season. It was the worst in B.C. history, with more than 2.8 million hectares burned. Our response, which ran from May to September, was one of our largest, with 15 vehicles deployed at one time. To put that in perspective, we have approximately 30 emergency vehicles, mainly canteen trucks, in B.C., and having half of those deployed at one time is significant.

There were more than 330 wildfires burning across the province, so we were busy feeding evacuees, first responders and wildfire crews. I’m thankful to everyone who helped with that response, from volunteers to staff to officers. 

How else are you involved with your corps?

Over the years, I’ve been involved in Sunday school, youth group, hockey and camp ministry and the band. I currently serve on the finance committee and the mission board. I help at church services and events as we have them. The local church has many ways to get involved in the community. It also allows me to worship and fellowship with others and brings my experiences and training into those ministries.

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

God has been there for me as an encourager, providing support, love and wisdom throughout my life. I draw close to him during times of celebration, but also at times of difficulty. It’s a daily journey to trust in God, in his Word, in everything that we do. EDS can be challenging at times, but God has equipped me through some of my past experiences, and in sharing his wisdom and peace when I’m deployed.

What would you most like to be known for?

I’d like to be known as someone you can count on, someone caring, understanding and wanting to help those in need, but also encouraging others to do their best. I’d also like to be known for being a good husband, a good father to our two children, a good son and a good friend, and for supporting God’s work and being a strong Christian witness to others.

Listen to our episode with Ian on the Salvationist podcast:

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