Throughout my life, I’ve prided myself on living with respect and integrity, but in late 2020, my life was turned inside out during the height of the pandemic. By early 2024, I found myself at a breaking point, completely lost and spiralling.

I hadn’t realized how the weight of compounded grief, anxiety and stress was consuming me. I sought relief by meeting the guys at the local pub, hoping it would numb the pain, but those distractions only worsened my inner turmoil.

I began to question everything, believing I had been forgotten by God. The increasing pub visits and the rising bar bills signalled a deeper need for help. As a lifelong learner, I turned to academia and pursued an MBA, which offered temporary distraction. Once I completed the program, however, the emptiness returned louder than before. I knew I needed more than just help through distractions and accomplishments—I needed genuine healing.

Presence, Not Performance

During my online search for support, I found several programs, and one of these was at The Salvation Army Whitby Community Church, Ont. Although it was not at the top of the page, something about it spoke to me. Today, I know now that was God’s gentle whisper.

Growing up, I only knew The Salvation Army for thrift stores and holiday kettles. Skeptical and unsure, I reached out—and everything changed.

At the time, I was mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained. I had distanced myself from God. But my first visit redefined worship for me. There was no rigid ceremony—just hope, peace, love and joy. They were unlike the formal traditions I had grown up with. The congregation sang freely to celebrate the Lord, and the sermons felt like real conversations rather than lectures.

Stepping into those weekly services pulled me far from my comfort zone. I used to think spiritual healing came only from attending church and reciting Scripture. But through the Army, I discovered that true healing requires a heart open to God.

In time, I learned that faith is not ritual and that it is a relationship with God. God does not ask for performance, but for presence.

An Extended Family

The Army offered an inclusive space where parishioners arrived early for coffee, prayer and conversation. Whitby Community Church hosted family nights, community events and faith groups year-round.

I soon found myself volunteering, embracing its motto: “The church that meets all week long.”

Majors Donette and Ken Percy, then the pastors, created a space to heal without pressure. Their care, empathy and availability, through guided prayer, suggested readings, personal conversations, group reflections, group breakfasts and coffee meetups, helped me reconnect with God.

I am deeply grateful to them, as well as the staff, volunteers and the congregation, whom I now see as an extended family.

God does not ask forperformance, but for presence. LOUIS KYRON

Faith Restored

The Salvation Army restored my sense of faith and purpose. Most important of all, they allowed me to let God back into my heart. The Army saved my life.

Today, I feel mostly healed. Of course, I slip sometimes—but who doesn’t? I am now an active and joyful member of the congregation, constantly finding new ways to serve. God has returned to my heart, and I feel truly blessed. With Majors Donette and Ken now retired, I know that Majors Jodi and Mark Dunstan will continue to lead with grace.

If you or someone you love has struggled with faith, you understand how even a sliver of doubt can shake everything you believed. Restoring faith takes time. For me, God did not burst into my life with thunder. He whispered in my deepest moment of need and, somehow, my heart opened.

That moment revealed what I had missed: God does not always arrive knocking loudly. Sometimes He heals in whispers and stillness.

Louis Kyron is a CPA with an MBA from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ont. He lives in Whitby, Ont., and has two adult children.

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