‘God has prepared me for this role’, says new Communications Secretary
International Headquarters (IHQ) has approved the appointment of Andrew Hill as the new Secretary for Communications for the Australia Territory, commencing on 1 January 2027. Salvos Online spoke to Andrew about the appointment and what he hopes to bring to the role.
BY DEAN SIMPSON
Andrew Hill says God woke him at 5am for eight days straight in preparation for saying yes to being appointed the next Territorial Secretary for Communications.
Andrew, a senior soldier from Shire Salvos Menai Corps in Sydney, has worked for The Salvation Army in various roles for the past 24 years, including the past eight years as the General Manager for Community Fundraising.
Over the coming months, he will work closely with the current Secretary for Communications, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hateley, before Paul (and his wife Wendy) take up new appointments in the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory in early 2027.
“When I first got the invitation to meet with the Chief (Colonel John Chamness) and the Territorial Commander (Commissioner Miriam Gluyas), I asked them if there was anything I needed to prepare for,” Andrew says. “And Miriam said, ‘Nup, see you next Tuesday’, which was in eight days’ time ... in other words, eight sleepless nights!
“But what transpired was quite miraculous. I’m not necessarily an early-morning person, but the very next day I woke up at about 5am, and God clearly said, ‘Get out of bed, Andrew, and spend time with me.’ And I woke up at 5am on the dot every day for the next eight days until the meeting.
“I just knew it was the Holy Spirit ... and I was led through the book of Daniel. The Spirit clearly said to me: ‘Look at how Daniel led, look at how he related to all the kings and pointed them to the God who was all-powerful. God was clearly saying to me, ‘I want you to point people back to me as you lead.’
“And so, I said to Kim, my wife, I think they are going to ask me to be the Communications Secretary, and she said, ‘Don’t stress, it’s probably something else. But I couldn’t get this thought out of my head, out of my spirit, that this is what it was going to be.
“So, when I got to the meeting and they offered me the role, I straight away said yes, because God had prepared my heart over those eight days, which was powerful confirmation. It was obvious that this wasn’t a human appointment; this was God saying, ‘Andrew, this is the step I want you to take.’
“And I know people will be thinking, ‘How is he going to lead?’ ... so, all I can say is what God said to me: ‘Andrew, I need you to get on your knees every day and lean into me. Because you can only do this through my strength.”
Salvation Army upbringing The Salvation Army has played a significant role in Andrew’s life, growing up at Hurstville Corps with his parents, David and Diane Hill and sister Catrina, and moving through the various sections, including the band as a solo cornet player.
After finishing school, he embarked on a career with the NSW Police Force, serving as a police officer for eight years, mostly as a senior constable. In 1996, he met his wife, Kim, who was touring Australia with the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Songsters (USA Western Territory). He left the police force and “pursued” Kim back to America, where they married in 1998 and attended Pasadena Tabernacle Corps together. He began working in Fundraising Ministry and College Career Ministries at Pasadena under the officership of Chick and Margaret Yuill.
From 2000 to the end of 2002, he worked as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch until he and Kim, now with a newborn, decided to move back to Australia.
“At the start of 2003, I began my long association with The Salvation Army in the old Australia Eastern Territory. Wilma Gallet [founding CEO of Employment Plus], who’s had a significant influence on my life, brought me into a role with EPlus. I had 11 years with EPlus before Leigh Cleave and Bruce Harmer brought me across to the fundraising department at THQ. And I’ve loved this department. I now lead a dynamic 20-person team across five fundraising streams – Events, Community Fundraising Strategy, Relationship Management, Evangelical Fundraising, and Capital Campaign Fundraising – and I’m passionate about the work we do.
“And I’ve seen all these experiences come together to make me the person I am today ... all these skills I’ve put in my toolbox along the way. Nothing’s been wasted; God’s not wasted anything. And he’s been preparing me for where I am today and who I am today, to be the leader I am today.”
Andrew, Kim and their two children, Caleb (24) and Liberty (20), all attend Menai Corps in Sydney’s south-west, which is part of Shire Salvos. Andrew and Kim are involved in various ministries, while Liberty (singer) and Caleb (drums) are part of the worship team.
Andrew lists many people who have played a mentoring role in his life, but specifically mentions Chick and Margaret Yuill, Commissioner James Condon and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas as having a profound influence.
“And it would be amiss of me not to mention Janine Kewming [The Salvation Army Head of Fundraising] as well. She is one of the best strategic thinkers and one of the best fundraisers I’ve ever worked with. So, I want to pay honour to her leadership and willingness to support me as I step into this new role.”
Appointment announcement In announcing Andrew’s role this week, Chief Secretary Colonel John Chamness clarified the appointment of a non-officer.
“While the role of Secretary for Communications has historically been a reserved appointment for an officer, in the absence of a suitable and available officer, International Headquarters approved the appointment of a senior soldier of The Salvation Army to this executive position,” he said.
“Andrew’s depth of service and long-standing commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army were key factors in IHQ’s confidence in this appointment.
“Please join me in congratulating Andrew on his appointment and pray for God’s anointing on him as he prepares to take on this new challenge.”
Andrew admitted this factor weighed on his mind as he accepted the role.
“It’s not lost on me that there are officers out there that go, ‘Hang on a minute, I’ve committed my life to the Lord to serve as an officer, and Andrew comes along and hasn’t done that, and now he gets to be the Secretary for Communications,” he said.
“So, I know that may sting a bit for some officers, so all I can say is that their service and their calling is still deeply significant to me as a soldier, and I don’t understand why God is leading me like this, but all I can do is say yes to his calling in the same spirit as they have said yes to their calling.
“And I will continue to truly appreciate the officers who will come alongside me, support and mentor me and journey with me as I lead the Communications Portfolio.”
Andrew with his parents, David, who passed away last year, and his mother Diane.
The Hill family – Andrew and Kim with their children Caleb and Liberty. (Right) Representing The Salvation Army on Channel Nine during the Red Shield Appeal campaign.
