Meet the Officer – Major Jennifer Cloke

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

I am the Corps Officer – Team Leader of Kingston City Salvos. I absolutely love working in community and collaborating both within The Salvation Army and the wider community to empower community members to make changes in their own lives and to work for systemic change more broadly. It is a privilege to serve here and to build a new mission expression.

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

I like to read, listen to music, watch good movies, write and spend time with my nine-year-old granddaughter, who reminds me about the spontaneity and simplicity of life and also why I do what I do – I want to leave this world better than I found it.

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

I grew up in The Salvation Army (fifth generation), so I have fond memories of the songs and music of our movement. The first song that I remember being my favourite (aged 5 – I would always request it) was Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. As I got older, it changed to I Want to Tell You What the Lord Has Done. As teenage years hit and my music preferences changed, I loved Andre Crouch, Evie, Vision and Keith Green – There Is a Redeemer and O Lord, You’re Beautiful and Create in Me a Clean Heart. As I experienced more of life, songs such as To Be Like Jesus, It Is Well and Through It All became favourites that I could sing with meaning as a solo when needed.

When I entered the God’s Soldier session of cadets, the song written by Harry Reid for that session – ‘God’s Soldier’ – will always have a special place in my heart and soul. (Yes – it will be used at my funeral).

As I look at this list, I can see that they are all songs of longing to be like Jesus and to serve Him wholeheartedly. They are songs of trust and testimony.

I still like the soundtrack of my Salvo upbringing, particularly some that have updated tunes or arrangements, but the song Goodness of God is my favourite and testimony as I enter the final chapter of active ministry.

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?

There are a few including Nehemiah, Ruth, Naomi and Mary – but I think David (if I could only choose one) as he was an amazing writer, songwriter, musician, an amazing leader, yet was very human and failed on multiple levels (including breaking three of the 10 Commandments). His failure was largely due to his abuse of power. There were consequences, yet still God fulfilled His covenant with Him.

It would be fascinating to interview him and capture His feelings and reflections on that time, his shame and regret, the confrontation with Nathan re: his rape of Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, the consequences of his actions, his contrite heart, and God’s mercy and justice.

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

If God calls, you should respond even if you feel ill-equipped or inadequate.

He doesn’t necessarily call those who are already equipped, but I can assure you that he will equip those whom He calls. It is not always smooth sailing, and there are some difficult and tedious tasks, but what job doesn’t have these things?

Officership is not something you do instead of other employment – maybe thinking that it is an easy option. On the contrary, The Salvation Army needs young Salvationist to go to university – become doctors, engineers, sound engineers, social workers, teachers, etc – and to bring those skills to your service either as a productive member of your corps, state and territorial headquarters, social teams or as an officer.

I was called very young and dedicated the whole of my life for the rest of my life. I was a junior candidate at 13 years old and became a candidate at 15. I went to college at 19 and was commissioned at 21 – interactions that are obedient to God’s call bring immense pleasure and fulfilment.

To quote a songster song that always spoke to me:

‘True happiness is Love expressed in service,

True holiness, compassion deep and strong,

In giving of my best I find contentment,

And so, forget, how hard the way and long.’