Meet the Officer – Major Louise Walker

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

My current appointment is Corps Officer at Nambour Salvation Army on the Sunshine Coast. What I find most satisfying is working with a great team. We have a wonderful group of employees and volunteers who work hard for our local community and church congregation. I love seeing their heart for our community as they engage with each community member that comes through our church doors and into our family stores. It’s very satisfying to know that they will go the extra mile to show the love of Jesus to all they come in contact with.

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

What I do to relax when I’m away from my appointment is to explore our local area and coastline. We live in a beautiful part of Australia, where there are many walking tracks and beautiful beaches to explore and enjoy. We are not far from the Blackall Mountain Range, which has some beautiful tracks and towns to visit. And we have wonderful beaches to have a swim and unwind. I find peace and refreshment in God’s beautiful creation, so spending time in nature is very relaxing.

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

I love the song Goodness of God. This song reminds me of how good God is and that He has been with me every step of the way as I have journeyed through life. That God has been faithful in all his promises, even in the difficult times. And when I think of Him, I just want to praise Him and worship Him.

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? 

I would probably love to sit down and chat with Nehemiah. I think that for an exiled Jew in a strange land serving the King of Persia, to step out and request that he be sent back home to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, with the King’s help, took guts ... His story and life have so many lessons that can be applied to our own lives as we live here on earth, trying to carry out what God has called us to do, with opposition, persecution, and apathy, just like Nehemiah. How he patiently and strategically works with the people to accomplish the work is amazing.

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

I would definitely recommend officership; if you feel called by God to step out into full-time ministry, officership is a great avenue to service. It is rewarding, although it can be testing at times, and it involves trust, trust in God to put you where He wants you to be for whatever time. And when we are obedient and faithful to that call on our lives, doors open to ministry that you could never imagine. You will meet all kinds of people, each with a different story, but all made in the image of God. Officership has been a journey of discovery about myself, my weaknesses and strengths, but most importantly about the goodness and provision of God in my life.