While Joan Daines was a newly minted Salvation Army soldier—an official member of the church—she had never worn her uniform out in public.

But a friend of hers had suffered a stroke and was in palliative care, so she went right from church to the hospital.

“It was evident she wasn’t going to make it,” Joan says.

As she went into the hospital room, she prayed, “Lord, give me the words to say because You know I’m not a speaker.”

Joan’s friend was not a Christian but that didn’t matter. Joan told her how much God loved her and that He would be there for her, and to not be afraid.

“I know she heard me,” Joan says.

Later, one of the nurses stepped up to her and said, “I appreciate what you and your church do for people here in this city.”

“It felt really good to own that uniform,” Joan smiles, “to be seen as a member of The Salvation Army.”

“I’ll Do It”

Joan’s Salvation Army journey started with a tax clinic.

She had been getting her income taxes done at the Army’s community and family services facility in Kingston, Ont.

But this particular year, the man-ager of the facility asked Joan if she would be interested in volunteering with the church.

“You answered a prayer,” Joan told her. “I’ve been praying about where I should be.”

“Well, we need you right here,” the manager told her.

“Fine,” Joan replied. “When do you need me?”

“Can you start tomorrow?” 

Hugs Not Handshakes

The next day, Joan was at the reception desk. Soon, she became more involved, helping with the luncheons the Army prepares for people in the community.

“They do a lot there,” she says. “There’s a food bank and showers for the homeless. There’s a lot of things going on.”

One day, Joan’s manager asked her, “Would you like to come out to our church one Sunday?”

The question could not have come at a better time.

“I wasn’t happy with where I was at my church,” she recalls. “Something wasn’t right. I didn’t feel as ifI was getting the teaching I needed.I wasn’t being led in faith, and I needed to know more about Jesus.”

Joan accepted the invitation and decided to attend a Sunday service at The Salvation Army’s Kingston Citadel.

“I walked in and I felt something I hadn’t felt before,” Joan says. “The congregation was so loving and caring. It wasn’t handshake greetings I was being offered. It was hugs.”

Joan was also impressed by the pastors, Captains Christopher and Nichole Maxwell.

“They focused on Jesus, purely on worshipping Jesus,” she says. “That was so new to me.”

Prayerful Decision

While Joan was happy just worshipping at The Salvation Army, she never thought “in a million years” what would happen next.

Retired pastors Majors Wil and Catherine Brown-Ratcliffe asked her if she would be interested in attending an eight-week course they offered.

“It was a ‘no strings attached’ opportunity for people to explore what The Salvation Army believes, its mission and ministry, and to ask questions regarding our theology, and the nature and structure of our church,” says Major Wil.

A delighted Joan agreed to attend.

“She was an active participant in discussions and sharing in the classes,” reports Major Wil. “In conversations with my wife, Joan told her several times about how much she was learning, and she eagerly anticipated the weekly get-togethers.”

After Joan completed the course, Majors Wil and Catherine encouraged her to become a soldier.

“I prayed about it,” she says, “and realized that, as I already felt part of the Army, I might as well make it official.”

Joan was encouraged by her friends, both in and out of the church, and by her church acquaintances who were soldiers.

“I went ahead and I’m so glad I did,” she says.

“They’re My Family”

Joan’s faith has deepened since joining The Salvation Army.

“I’ve gotten closer to God,” she says. “I let the Holy Spirit guide me now, whereas I didn’t have that deep belief before, which is so sad when I think of all the years that it took me to come to The Salvation Army to really understand and have a real relationship with God.”

“Joan has a wonderful, vibrant personality,” says Major Wil, “and Catherine and I were happy to encourage her to become a soldier, knowing that her example of a faith-filled life would be a witness to others, as well as an encouragement to those who are seeking to follow Jesus.”

“I have so much admiration for the people of The Salvation Army,” she says. “They’re dedicated, and they know who they are. I like to say that they have their feet firmly on the ground.”

Joan helps with the Christmas kettle campaign, assists with the food pantry and attends Bible study.

“It just feels like the right place for me. I love The Salvation Army. They’re my family.” 

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