Meet the Cadet – Caleb Gorringe

3 days ago
3 min read

In the fourth of a series spotlighting this year’s cadets of the Rescued session, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Caleb Gorringe about dressing up as a pastor in Year 2, his passion for seeing lives transformed, being a nerdy sci-fi movie fan – and his penchant for a good sausage roll!

Caleb, rewind for us … when did the call to officership hit, and what made you say that big ‘yes’?

I remember very distinctly being in Year 2 at school when they did a careers day and all my friends dressed up as firefighters and policemen – and I was there dressed up as a pastor! My parents were officers, so it’s always been a thing in my heart from a young age. As a teenager, my heart grew away from God, but as an early young adult, I came back to the Lord. He renewed that passion in me.

Where are you serving at the moment - and what’s your role?

I’m at Parramatta Corps (NSW) as a cadet along with my wife, Jess – and learning the ropes.

Enjoying a day out with his wife, Jess – a fellow cadet – and their son, Joey.

Any standout moments that are shaping you as a future officer?

Not so much moments as an ongoing opportunity each day to step into the footprint of officership and who God wants me to be by being immersed in this environment. So, it’s more a process of development than individual flashpoints that I can think of. Something that’s shaping me at the moment is a real deepening in my fasting and prayer life. It came out of setting spiritual goals at the beginning of the year and working on those practices. When I look back at the past six months, doing that practice has been a big thing in shaping me for my future.

Where are you feeling stretched right now?

Everything is being stretched! It’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing. It’s making room for the new. There are so many competing emotions, tensions and responsibilities battling for my time and for my space. I’m hoping that I’m learning well to tread water and to balance them all well. Balance how do I rest? What’s most important? What do I need to do now? What can wait? How do I hold this person? All of that is part and parcel for this season.

What strengths do you lean on most?

My faith. I wouldn’t necessarily call it maybe a strength, but it is a bedrock and foundation of what allows me to make it through each day. If I’m being more specific about some of the giftings, or I feel God has given me, I think it would be a deep heart for people. I lean on relationship and I lean on a curiosity to be involved in people’s lives and to care and to love on people. I think doing that has helped me land well in this corps space. I’ve been able to learn and lead from that.

Creating LEGO masterpieces is one of Caleb’s great passions in life.

What focus areas of officership really fire you up – and why?

Three things really fire me up – discipleship, small groups, and recovery, such as AOD. I love seeing people move into Jesus-centred, holistic flourishing. I love seeing lives transformed and people reach their full potential as they take their next steps. I love doing those journeys with people and seeing people get the most out of life.

If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like – and who would you most like to impact?

I think my dream appointment would be a corps, which makes sense because I’m going to be an officer. I love doing life with people. I want to see everyday people in love with God and in love with life and passionate about Him and the world – and getting the most out of it. The transition from grey to colour. I want to see people at their best.

And just for fun … when you switch off, what do you love doing?

I love a good movie. I love sci-fi movies such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I love all those nerdy things. I love a great walk. I love to walk and talk with people either in the bush or at the beach. I like Lego, and I love hanging out with my son, Joseph.