As I was walking into the grocery store a few days ago, my heart warmed when I saw a Salvation Army red kettle and bell ringer out front ringing away. I scrambled to quickly dig into my purse to find a couple of dollars to drop in the bucket. It felt good. The Salvation Army’s slogan to the world is “Doing the most good.” I am so thankful for their 160-year history and that in this crazy world we are living in, that the Salvation Army never tires of their mission of doing good.
My mom was born in 1936 and recalls with deep gratitude the times when she and her five siblings, raised by a single mom in the depression era were given food and a toy by the Salvation Army at Christmas. I did not know much about the Salvation Army until I met my best friend in life in the seventh grade, Leisa Hall, who became a Salvation Army Officer. Our love for Jesus and music brought us together. My heart was broken when she had to move to Mississippi at the end of our junior year of high school because her parents, also Salvation Army Officers, received orders for their next assignment. We got back together for one year during college as roommates before she answered her call to attend the Salvation Army Training College in Atlanta, Georgia. A few years later, I also stood as a bridesmaid at her wedding.
On June 1st of this year, Majors Chip and Leisa Hall completed 42 years of ministry and selfless service and retired from the Salvation Army. I was honored to be a part of their retirement service, helping lead worship and singing a duet with Leisa, who is also a brilliant song writer, arranger, composer, pianist, and singer. Chip is a strong leader, and Leisa is an acclaimed advocate for victims of sex trafficking. Seeing community leaders and ministry partners, past and present, in attendance to honor both Leisa and Chip, was a surreal and humbling experience.
Over the years, I’ve learned some known and little-known facts about The Salvation Army.
Did you know…
- Salvation Army officers/soldiers share some similar duties of an American
soldier.American soldiers swear allegiance to America, but the Salvation Army
pledges to serve the downtrodden and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
While their basic living costs are covered, they receive extremely modest
pay for their work and service? - The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 in London, England, by William
Booth, a Methodist minister, and his wife Catherine, and he became its first
General? - Like our military, Salvation Army soldiers earn ranks and are moved to
different duty stations every 3-6 years and can be global? - This Christian movement is one of the largest distributors of humanitarian
aid on the planet? - Salvation Army Training Colleges are in London, England and Atlanta,
Georgia, attracting people who want to serve from all over the world? - The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian church?
- Did you know that while many single people serve, if you are married and
want to become a Salvation Army officer, it is mandatory for husbands and
wives to serve alongside each other? - The Salvation Army is committed to family stability, requiring annual
marriage retreats to strengthen marriages. - Cadets are trained to be “CEOs”/Overseers of their local Corps,
co-pastoring (couples) the church, running Salvation Army Thrift Stores,
soup kitchens, alcohol/rehab centers, annual kettle and toy drives,
counseling Services, and serving and leading on the local Salvation Army
Board of Directors, fund raising, and coordinating natural disaster
responses? - That 100% of all Salvation Army Corps and Churches are placed, on purpose,
in the most troubled parts of every city where they are located so they are
on the front lines where the most vulnerable can find hope and help? - The Salvation Army has a huge burden for youth, investing in youth outreach
ministry, sports programs, and summer camps? - The Salvation Army emphasizes the need for worship through music? They have
one of the most amazing music programs in the world, finding and fostering
young musicians at annual music camps. Have you ever attended a Salvation
Army band, chorus, or ensemble performance? You will be blessed! - Salvation Army Brides are not allowed to wear bridal gowns? You get
married in uniform. As a bridesmaid at Leisa’s wedding, I was allowed to
wear a uniform without any insignia or rank on it. - Salvation Army female officers must wear black panty hose, do not have
painted nails, and must wear their hair off their collars?
Throughout their decades of service, Leisa invited me several times to perform Christmas concerts or present at youth or women’s retreats, including the privilege of once sharing the platform with one of the most influential female Christian leaders of the 20th century, Florence Littauer, the beloved late mother of my “Living your Best Life” co-founders. I saw first-hand the impact of the Salvation Army nationwide.
When Leisa and Chip were stationed in Washington, D.C., she shared that even though her family had been Salvation Army officers for decades, she and Chip were deeply moved and surprised when they visited the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) national office, to find that in the board room, the only two outside agencies that had a seat specifically marked at the table were the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. That says a lot about the significance and impact this organization makes worldwide.
Before heading down to Palm Beach Florida for Majors Leisa and Chip Hall’s retirement ceremony, Leisa told me how Palm Beach, the home of President Trump’s Mara Lago, is the wealthiest and most poverty-stricken places in America. For them to end their service there was poignant to me because they were “Jesus with skin on” to the most powerful of community leaders and those who are the most overlooked in our society. The Salvation Army motto, “Blood and Fire” represents the blood of Christ, and the fire is the fire of the Holy Spirit. As The Halls continue in their retirement, or re-FIRE-ment, as counselors to young Salvation Army couples, I am thankful for their witness and service to the Salvation Army.
So, during this blessed holiday season, when you see the red kettle and bell ringer, I hope you will want to drop in a couple of dollars. You can be assured that that every dollar is being used for “Doing the most good.in the name of Jesus!!!”
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Debbie was honored to serve as Ms. Senior America 2023. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance and has performed across the continental U.S. and abroad. She’s also a talent and interview coach for Miss America Scholarship Organization contestants, high school and college bound performing arts students, and conservative political candidates. Debbie is married to Scott Robbins. They have one son, Jackson, born when Debbie was 44. He is now a Freshman at the University of Louisville.