Meet the Officer – Captain Karen Clark

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it?

My husband, Tim, and I are the Corps Officers of Caloundra, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. We love our appointment. Caloundra is a beautiful place filled with wonderful people. It’s also a place of great need. One of the most satisfying things for me is seeing how connected our church is to our wider community. Community Dinner each week is a highlight, and our House 4 Hope, set up in a downtown location, broadens our reach to those who are longing for connection.  We love to meet together on Sundays as well as through the week. Fellowship is really important.

2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?

Tim and I have three sons in their 20s who live away from home, and my greatest joy is to be able to get all of us together over a meal. Tim and I love to walk – daily if we can, but we really love long walks in the bush or along our beautiful beaches. It’s a great reminder of the beauty of creation and the wonder of our creator. I also love reading books and soaking in the bath. This is one of my favourite ways to relax. Just add a candle on the side of the bath, and you’ve ticked all the boxes! 

3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?

So many! I love the old hymns that remind me of the faithfulness of God, expressed in such a meaningful way by those saints gone before. I also love the new songs ... and lots of stuff in between. Lately, my Spotify playlist has had a lot of soulful worship. ‘You’re my Portion’ by Mark Barlow really brings me into a place of peace and comfort. 

My favourite song to sing at church with our church family is Phil Wickham’s ‘Great Things’.

4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about?

This answer changes all the time, depending on what I’m currently reading in the Bible. I’ve been reading through the books of the prophets lately, and I am fascinated by the things that they were prepared to do to get God’s message across. If I could create a panel with Amos and Micah, Habakkuk and Zephaniah, I am sure that would be interesting!

5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?

I believe that God calls each one of us into his service – and I would encourage everyone to place a high value on serving him right where you are. Sometimes that will look like being a leader and putting your hand up for something more, something that may be a little out of your comfort zone. Being an officer has stretched me in all areas of my life, and if that is a calling God has for you, please don’t ignore it. I am blessed to live this life, especially when Tim and I share this journey together. I look forward to many years ahead serving God as He leads. 

More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here.