Meet the Cadet – Jess Gorringe

May 6
4 min read

In the first of a series spotlighting this year’s cadets, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Jess Gorringe about her unconventional path from teaching to officership, the testimony that changed the trajectory of her life, her passion for doing life alongside young people – and the love of belting out a karaoke classic.

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

I’ve always loved teaching and originally planned to become a teacher. I didn’t consider officership until my teens, after coming to faith and sensing God nudging my heart. One way he speaks to me is through pictures, and at 14, during prayer at Hillsong Conference, I saw myself wearing epaulettes – but I was freaked out, so I went on to study a teaching degree. Even so, God continued to put it strongly on my heart. I was engaged to my husband, Caleb, who always wanted to be an officer, but knew the calling had to be mine. I asked God to be very clear, saying I would leave university if he confirmed it. The very next day at Colour Conference, I heard a woman’s testimony about laying down her career for ministry, and it became very clear that God was calling me to do the same. I left my degree and started pursuing ministry.

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

I’m serving at Parramatta Corps (NSW) as a cadet with Caleb. We are at the corps a few days a week, as well as Sunday, and on top of that, doing our studies. We are really loving it.

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

I’m really loving being at Parramatta. Caleb and I have started a young adults’ Bible study at our house on Monday nights, and it’s been beautiful to watch how the Holy Spirit is moving in that space. We share dinner with them and our family, build relationships, do life together, study the Bible, and play some board games! It’s been beautiful to work with Caleb, as we have never run a ministry together, and to lean on each other’s strengths, and giftings, and to support and complement each other. I think that’s been very helpful for our development, working on how we’re going to do ministry together.

(From left) When switching off for fun, Jess loves nothing better than to sing - especially karaoke; A favourite way to spend a Saturday for Jess is to go out for a bush walk with her family; Teaching and leadership are just two of many strengths Jess enjoys sharing with others as she studies towards becoming a corps officer.

Where are you feeling stretched right now?

I grew up in the same corps for 17 years. It’s very different to Parramatta. My home church was contemporary, modern and super chilled. Parramatta is equally beautiful, but just in very different contexts. Parramatta is in the city. It’s more traditional, more formal, so just getting used to the cultural differences is stretching me. I’m enjoying learning and experiencing church in a new way.

What strengths do you lean on most?

I have a gift of teaching and leadership. I’m also very organised and quite enjoy administration. I also enjoy discipleship and having conversations about faith with people and praying with people. Leading small groups is another strength. I love it. It fills me up.

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

Definitely corps. Nothing fires me up more than teaching people about Jesus. But not just teaching people about Jesus, but journeying with them, and seeing God at work in people’s lives and praying with people, caring for people, seeing people be discipled and grow in their relationship with Jesus, and then bringing somebody along with them. Seeing people’s lives transformed by Jesus and then watching them tell others about how God has transformed their lives, and watching that play out, is just my favourite part about ministry.

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

I would love to be at a corps. Obviously, I believe that God has placed me in The Salvation Army, and God is in control of where we go. So whatever appointment I get, I trust that that’s where God’s called me. My heart is for the church, for discipleship and for sharing the gospel.

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

I love karaoke! Nothing is more fun to me. I think a safe song for me that I know is ‘I Have Nothing’ by Whitney Houston. I love singing it. I also love being with my family and spending time with Caleb and my son, Joey, and going to the park. My son is a little boy, so doing boy things with him, playing with the trucks and getting in the dirt, is fun! I also like walking and going on nature walks with my family. My favourite way to spend a Saturday is to go for a bushwalk with my family.