‘Life-transforming steps’ being taken at thriving Kwinana Salvos
- deansimpson7
- 35 minutes ago
- 3 min read
BY ANTHONY CASTLE
It has been an exciting year of ministry for the thriving Kwinana Corps in Western Australia, with 13 enrolments and a soldier being accepted as a candidate for officership.
Corps Officer Major Scott Ellery enrolled 10 adherents in April and three new senior soldiers in two separate ceremonies over the past few weeks.
All this is the result of a flourishing corps that is gaining momentum as it carries out its ministry and service to the community in Perth’s south.
Each week, the Kwinana Corps runs Sunday worship services and Kids Church, as well as community lunches, small groups and craft groups. They also reach out to the community and serve those in need through their Doorways Welfare services, case management, drop-in centre, the Toastie Spot, breakfast program, thrift shop and pubs ministry.
“It is so significant when people make the decision to take on the Soldier’s Covenant,” Scott said. “To the individual, it is a life-transforming step in following God’s leading.”
The newest soldiers at Kwinana are Julian and Kathy Crombie, who were enrolled in September, and Suzie Stan-Bishop, who was enrolled earlier this month.
The Crombies only joined the Kwinana Corps in February, having moved from Tasmania weeks prior.
“We stayed at Kwinana Salvos because we felt welcomed and wanted, and because we had peace that we were right where God wanted us to be,” Kathy says.
“We loved how the minister talked about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and could see that it was a healthy, joyful church with both good spiritual health and strong engagement with the community.”
Suzie started attending Kwinana Salvos in 2021 and began volunteering in 2022. She volunteers 12 hours a week as the Welfare Coordinator, managing a team of 18 volunteer staff and coordinating the emergency relief, homelessness response, drop-in centre, Toastie Spot, as well as facilitating a weekly small group.
“I encourage my team to be Jesus with skin on,” Suzie says. “I believe there is always hope, and we need to share that hope with the community.”
“A year ago, I was asked to attend a leadership retreat, and it was while I was there that God made it very clear to me that I was to become a soldier.
“I did struggle with the calling as things in my personal life were not lining up, but God gave me the verse Isaiah 40:3. God changed things in my personal life, and there is more to come, and I am excited to see what God has planned for myself and my family.”
In other exciting news, the corps’ Ministry Assistant, Chantal Tait, has been accepted as a candidate for officership.
Having been a soldier at Kwinana for some time, Chantal has been on staff in her role for the past year, gaining leadership and management experience.
“Now she will be leaving Kwinana to go into full-time ministry training and engage in a different worshipping community,” Scott said.
“It is so encouraging to see people move from unconnected visitors to passionately engaged members and find greater purpose in their relationship with Christ.”
Adherents and soldiers are vital to The Salvation Army. Everyone is welcome to attend The Salvation Army communities, with some choosing a deeper, more formal commitment by becoming soldiers or adherents.
Adherents are Christians who pledge to support their local Salvation Army corps, identify with the mission of The Salvation Army, and participate in fellowship and service at a local corps. Soldiers of The Salvation Army are Christians who undertake a specific covenant (or promise) regarding lifestyle and beliefs.
“The Soldier’s Covenant is a statement of faith that declares that they will live in a way that reflects the glory of God and serve wherever there is need,” Scott said.
“For the church family, it is so encouraging to see people not only commit to the church family, but it also inspires each of us to greater commitment and deeper love.”
