Meet the Officer – Major Sharon Allen

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

Currently, I am the Corps Leader at North Brisbane Corps (NBC). I share this appointment with my husband, Scott, and we have been here for two years. One of the things I love most about being a corps leader is getting to walk alongside people in their spiritual journeys. I really value the honest conversations, the questions, and the moments when people discover something new about their faith or about God. It’s a privilege to share life together, supporting one another, learning from each other, and all of us growing along the way. I also love helping NBC look outward, finding new ways to connect with and serve the community around us, and being part of a church that wants to make a real, positive difference in people’s lives. NBC is multigenerational, and I love to see the generations worshipping and serving together. There is energy and enthusiasm. There is a richness in relationships and a wealth of learning from all ages.

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

I’m intentional about taking time away from my role at NBC so I can rest and recharge. Simple things like taking the dog for a walk or walking with a friend, reading, and going for a run help me unwind and give me space to think. I have to admit that running isn’t exactly a natural gift of mine, and it doesn’t always make me feel relaxed, but it is something I have challenged myself to do over the past seven years and, strangely enough, I do find it enjoyable – most of the time. On a day off, I also enjoy relaxing with a good limited series on Netflix, especially anything related to police or crime stories. One of my favourite ways to stay connected and refreshed is Facetiming with family and having a chat with my grandchildren, which always brings a lot of joy.

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

One of my favourite songs at the moment is ‘Christ Be Magnified’ written by Cody Carnes. I love it because it’s a simple but powerful reminder of the desire of my heart – that in my life, my words, and the way I lead, people would see and hear Jesus more than anything else. It also reminds me to live a life that is surrendered to God and full of worship for who He is, not just in church but in everyday moments.

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 think I would love the opportunity to sit and chat with Mary, the mother of Jesus. As a mother, I imagine in our conversation that we would share that deep heart for our children, and I would love to hear what it was like for her to watch Jesus step into His ministry. It must have been incredibly moving but also painful at times, especially as she saw the rejection He experienced. I often wonder how she carried that as a mother – holding the sorrow of His suffering alongside the incredible promise God had given her that her son would be the Saviour of the world.

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

If I were speaking with someone about becoming a Salvation Army officer, I would encourage them to truly listen for God’s call on their life and to follow where He leads. If that call includes officership, I would encourage them to step forward with the prayer, “not my will, but God’s will be done”. God is faithful, and His call into ministry can be trusted. All the things that might make someone hesitate or feel like saying, “I can’t do it because of …” can be brought to God. He is able to hold those concerns, guide the way forward, and give what is needed for the journey.

More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here.

*Meet the Officer interviews are conducted by Salvos Online journalist Lerisse Smith