After moving from Punjab, India, to Sydney, N.S., Kirandeep Kaur looked forward to the excitement of a new country and the career opportunities it would bring.

Back home, she worked as a dentist at The Salvation Army’s Mac Robert Hospital in Dhariwal, part of the India Northern Territory. So, when she saw the familiar Red Shield outside Sydney Community Church for the first time, it gave her a sense of home. She saw it as a divine sign that she was in the right place.

“I didn’t know there was a Salvation Army church in Sydney, but seeing the shield reminded me that God has already planned my path,” she says.

Where It Began

Kaur grew up in Batala, a city in the state of Punjab, in a close-knit household with her parents, brother and grandparents.

“My life in India has been wonderful,” says Kaur. “My parents provided everything I needed growing up and always encouraged me to work hard and follow God’s path.”

Following the dreams that her parentsinstilled in her, Kaur completed her bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) in India in 2018, where she learned clinical dentistry, patient care and health management. After graduating, she spent two years practising under an experienced dentist, and in 2021, she joined the team at Mac Robert Hospital as the head of the dental department.

“In my role, I managed the entire dental unit, handled critical oral health cases, and ensured that the department ran smoothly and remained financially stable,” she says, noting that the hospital was well known in the community for its commitment to affordable and compassionate health care.

Witnessing Impact

The Salvation Army has had an active presence in India since 1882. Today, it is composed of six distinct territories that operate corps, social and community services, educational and vocational programs, feeding centres, children’s centres, seven training colleges, and several hospitals and clinics.

Established in 1926, the Mac Robert Hospital is a general hospital with a specialization in ophthalmology. It is also home to a nursing school where students can earn certificates in nursing and midwifery.

Army hospitals such as Mac Robert operate differently from traditional medical centres. Rather than relying on patient fees, they run on a charity-based model with funding from donations and organizations. Because of this, many of the services offered are free of cost or available at minimal charge, making it more accessible for people who may not have the means to afford care.

Most notably, Mac Robert Hospital offers eye surgery programs for patients in financial need. Through this funding, people living with severe vision problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, receive free or subsidized surgeries from skilled surgeons.

“While working there, I saw patients regain their eyesight and return to their normal lives,” says Kaur. “It was incredibly moving to witness.”

According to Kaur, another special aspect of working at an Army hospital is its unique spiritual environment. Each morning, officers and staff gather in the hospital’s chapel to pray over the patients, physicians and staff, taking a Jesus-centred approach to medical care. 

A New Territory

In September 2023, Kaur moved to Canada to explore more career opportunities. She pursued a diploma in health-care management at Cape Breton University in Sydney and completed the course in May 2025.

Soon after arriving, she began attending services and volunteering at Sydney Community Church where she met Lieutenant Jenelle Durdle, then corps officer, who became a mentor and friend. “Her guidance and support have made a big difference in my journey,” says Kaur.

Kaur later joined community and family services as a casual employee, where she assists clients with the food bank, clothing support and Christmas hamper program. She also serves as a Sunday school teacher and helps with children’s camps and the back-to-school program.

“Even just hearing the name ‘The Salvation Army’ gives me a sense of safety and protection,” says Kaur. “I feel proud and honoured to be part of the same organization that made such an impact on my community back home.”

Following the Path

“Working at Mac Robert Hospital taught me the importance of serving others with compassion and patience, and it encouraged me to make a meaningful difference no matter what role I’m in,” says Kaur.

Spending more time in the church, volunteering and listening to sermons have all brought her closer to Jesus. And according to Kaur, that feeling is indescribable. “I feel deeply connected to God and it gives me strength and hope,” she says.

Throughout this journey, she has quietly felt God’s call.

In 2024, she travelled to Toronto to attend the Explore Your Call weekend in hopes of discerning what that call means, and what service as a Salvation Army officer could look like.

“I believe that, with the praise of God, I will join the Army’s mission and dedicate myself to helping the community grow closer to God.”