Keeping it simple at Hobart Corps and letting God do his thing
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
At the back of the Hobart Corps platform is a sign that’s been there for more than 10 years, boldly proclaiming that the corps is ‘A Church for the City’.
When Majors Johnmark and Nicole Snead arrived as corps officers a decade ago, the Holy Spirit used that sign to spark a vision of integrated ministry for the corps, one that would “shift the focus beyond the four walls”.
It hasn’t been easy.
“[The corps has] walked a road marked by both mountaintop moments and valleys of deep challenge,” says Nicole. “There have been seasons of loss that tested our resilience and reshaped our community.”
The early years were particularly difficult. A major building project was abruptly shelved by head office. The closure of the corps band – no longer viable due to declining and ageing membership – brought hurt and led to a significant exodus. A cluster of more than 30 deaths in the corps community weighed heavily with grief. And then came COVID, bringing isolation and further disruption.
Johnmark and Nicole say only God’s faithfulness saw them, and their corps community, through the challenges.
“We continued to just sow the vision, do the work,” said Johnmark. The ‘work’ he’s referring to was that of relationship and discipleship: nothing ‘new’, and it’s not ‘rocket science’.
“There is often a pull within The Salvation Army toward discovering ‘what’s new’,” Johnmark observed.
“We just do the simple things, and we do them really well. Acts of genuine love. Never underestimate what acts of genuine love can do in someone’s life. We focus on Kingdom outcomes rather than corps-growth outcomes.”
That Kingdom focus has seen the corps orient itself towards others, now opening its doors six days a week to the community, and working in team with other Salvation Army mission expressions to love, serve and disciple the city.
“Our doors are open, not just physically but relationally,” says Nicole, “creating space for people to belong, be heard, and encounter God.”
Relationships anchor corps community
Nicole says that through the ‘hard yards’, the truth about what is important was made clear. “What has sustained The Salvation Army Hobart is not programs or buildings, but deep relationships – with Jesus and with one another.
“When structures shifted, and comforts fell away, those relationships became the anchor. It’s been in shared prayer, honest conversations, faithful service, and quiet perseverance that God continued to shape us into a people of hope.”
That depth of relationship is now offered, lovingly and freely, to all who walk through the doors. And it’s on full display at the corps’ Sunday Dinner, a free three-course meal for anyone, which has about 50 people regularly attending.
“Do they all have a faith? No,” says Johnmark. “Do they swear like troopers? Some of them, yes!
“But are the values of the kingdom of God coming alive in them? YES! It might not be full salvation yet, but there are measures of salvation there. We value the intangible. That’s where we see God at work.”
(Left) Major Johnmark Snead speaks at the beginning of Hobart Corps’ Salvos Sunday Dinner. (Right) Volunteers helping in the kitchen at the Salvos Sunday Dinner.
Intentionality is key to discipleship
A SHIFTm2M (Ministries to Movement) discipleship training three years ago was ‘God timing’ for the corps. “We really sensed that God was saying, ‘I want you to focus on making disciple-makers’,” says Johnmark. “That year we were offered a move [change-of-appointment], but we said, ‘No, it’s not the right time.’ We pulled together a disciple-making cohort and started meeting once a month.”
“Now, we are seeing growth through this intentional discipleship,” says Nicole, “with a growing cohort committed to spiritual formation, disciple-making, and living out faith in everyday life. We are a corps learning to go deep, not just wide.”
The disciple-making cohort is seen as ‘basic training’ for anyone in the corps who wants to go deeper with others. They might serve in the recovery space at Recovery Church, in community spaces, Salvo Connect, or leading small groups.
“All of them learning to know the process and the pathway of how we make disciples who make disciples,” says Johnmark. “This is our investment in the future.”
The other ‘future investment’ is happening within the youth space at Hobart Corps, which is exploding with unchurched young people, whereas 10 years ago, the youth group consisted of 95 per cent corps kids.
“[We are so proud of] the way in which our leaders just make space for, and love the kids on the margins,” says Johnmark “It’s messy. Nothing’s clean, but there’s genuine love and safety for teenagers … God is absolutely at work.”
(Left) Hobart Corps’ worship team. (Right) Vanessa sharing her story of transformation during worship.
And discipleship is at the heart of the youth ministry as well, with Nicole saying that young people are “not just turning up, but owning their faith, discovering their God-given identity, and stepping into leadership.”
God is absolutely at work. And it’s evident. Lives are being transformed. People who are volunteering are deciding to follow Jesus. People who are deciding to follow Jesus are wanting to volunteer.
Whilst Johnmark and Nicole have never focused on corps growth, their commitment to the ‘Jesus-way’ of loving relationship and intentional discipleship is driving healthy, sustainable growth at Hobart Corps.
“The corps’ gathered worshipping community is excited,” says Johnmark. “They’re saying, “Look at all these new people! How good is God!’”
Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed. Please keep Johnmark and Nicole and their team at Hobart Corps in your prayers.
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