Gwyneth Woods is the community and family services director in Listowel, Ont.

Tell us a little about your family and early years.

My parents immigrated to Canada from Northern Ireland a few years before I was born and later became Salvation Army officers. We moved around a lot and and I didn’t have extended family in the country, so making new family traditions has become something I cherish.

When my kids were young, we always went to the beach to watch the sunset on the last day of school. We ended each summer with a beach tour from Pinery Provincial Park to Sauble Beach in Ontario, with a stop at our favourite “fry” stand.

Every year, our community hosts an ecumenical Good Friday service. It’s always special to walk into the high school gym and see familiar faces from many different local churches, remembering years past as we worshipped together. Traditions create unique moments of reflection where you can look both back and forward, marking each year by its memories and dreaming of those to come.

How has your faith sustained you when life did not go as planned?

My experience of God, his goodness and his mercies, continues to be renewed in new and different ways with each passing year. Faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit have been my foundation throughout my life.

I can remember moments in my life when the presence of God was so near, I felt as though I could hear him speak. Those times were seldom when things were going as I had planned, or how I thought they should. As much as we would like to keep our struggles at bay, these are often the very times when God draws near. When we reach out for comfort and in desperate need of faith, that is when our hearts are ready to see him as our sustainer and our Saviour.

Sometimes, though, those struggles do threaten to overwhelm us and what I want most is clarity. I want a banner in the sky with directions just for me. Instead, God has brought this Scripture to mind: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things … And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

It is not the situation that dictates God’s sovereignty, nor my degree of faith, nor even my abilities. God is in charge, and my biggest learning curve in each of these situations has been to focus not on what I should do, but on what God is doing. He is already there and already has a plan.

What is your role with The Salvation Army?

My role is to oversee our local community and family services programs, but I can easily find myself picking up food or talking to donors on any given day. And always, if someone comes in seeking connection, it is my goal to set aside the work and make them feel welcome and loved. The Salvation Army offers a unique opportunity to couple social service work with ministry. Yes, we are here to provide tangible assistance to those in need, but what a blessing to also be able to offer prayer.

I have had many opportunities to pray with people who come into our programs and offices. One day, as I helped a woman in our food bank, she shared some of the struggles she was experiencing with her health. I asked if I could pray for her, and she agreed. We spent time seeking God together. I prayed for peace and hope, and that she would see healing. When I opened myeyes, her eyes were filled with tears. She reached out and hugged me and thanked me for praying.

This isn’t an unusual response. Sometimes it can feel scary to pray for someone, but it isn’t our words that are important—it’s the presence of the Holy Spirit that is truly powerful. All we have to do is simply invite him in.

What keeps you going when ministry is hard?

It can be hard sometimes, for many reasons, but ultimately, I want to see community built for people. I want to see people welcomed regardless of their struggles. I want to see people loved for who they are and encouraged to move forward.

What inspires you about The Salvation Army?

Right now, what inspires me is an undercurrent of potential growth. I hear a rumbling of awakening in those who lead, and I am excited about where they will take things. I think we are in the process of being reminded of our roots while being intentional about our responsibilities, and that is a beautiful coupling.

Can you tell us about something that brings you joy, and why?

Water always brings me joy. Whether it is the salt air of the coast (any coast, I am not picky), the edge of a great lake or a small Algonquin lake, the water is a reminder to me of God’s steadfastness and how his love never changes.