General William Booth said it plainly in 1885: “No woman is to be kept back from any position of power or influence merely on account of her sex. Women must be treated as equals with men in all the intellectual and social relationships of life.” In an era when that declaration was genuinely radical, it was written in the Orders and Regulations

As I reflect on nearly 38 years of officership, I am struck by how profoundly my journey has been shaped by calling, opportunity and the unwavering belief that leadership is not defined by gender but by God‑given gifting. When I first entered ministry, the landscape was quite different than it is today. Expectations were quieter. Roles for women

Imagine a balancing weighing scale with a red Salvation Army shield in the middle. One side of the scale is marked “women” while the other side is marked “men.” The goal is for the scale to be balanced. To achieve this, both women and men need to be equitably equipped for mission, recognized for their giftings, and feel seen and heard by their

Throughout my ministry, I have discovered a deep appreciation for planning and organizing events—not simply as logistical tasks, but as intentional opportunities to foster meaningful connections and spiritual growth. There is so much joy in bringing men, women, youth and children together, creating spaces where authentic community happens and

When we first embarked on our officership journey—37 and 35 years ago—we had no idea what ministry opportunities awaited us. But being confident in God’s calling, we knew that he would use us wherever he placed us.   Following a brief stint as single officers and our marriage in 1990, we have primarily worked together in a ministry

Leadership has never felt like a solo journey for me. From the very beginning of my calling to Salvation Army officership, I often wrestled with doubt. My first instinct was usually, “Me, Lord, really?” That inner hesitation, what many call imposter syndrome, was a voice that questioned whether I truly belonged in leadership. Over the years, I

I have learned from my study of theology at Tyndale University that if someone starts off with “The Bible clearly states,” then they are probably going to talk about something that the bible does not clearly state. I’m not saying that the Bible is not our source of dogma, doctrine and belief. We humans simply have tendency to form an opinion and

When I became a parent in June 2023, I experienced a love deeper than I ever imagined. It was also a whirlwind of exhaustion and learning and emotional adjustment. I clearly remember wondering early in my pregnancy what it would be like to balance motherhood and full-time ministry with an infant on my hip. At the time, The Salvation Army

Growing up in The Salvation Army, I deeply appreciated how our denomination was built on a theology and practice that affirms the right of both female and male officers to fulfil the same or similar leadership roles. This inclusive vision shaped my understanding of ministry. However, as I’ve grown and engaged more deeply with the lived

I grew up in the Middle East, where patriarchy was not only common, but deeply integrated into church and society. Men ruled, women followed and no one argued. As a child, I didn’t think much of it: it was just the way things were. But, as I grew older and started to study Scripture for myself, I saw something else, something new, something that