Meet the Officer – Major Tony DeTommaso

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

My current appointment is Tamworth (NSW), the country music capital of Australia. We arrived here with my wife, Yan, in November 2021, after serving as a chaplain in aged care for six years at Weeroona Retirement Village in Bass Hill (NSW).

Being an active officer for 30 years now, it has been great to be part of the journey, and Tamworth is no exception. It is the people you meet wherever you go. People are people, and I love to connect with them.

I’m a very pastoral person. I love to sit down and hear their stories, their journey and encourage them in God’s Word, particularly with being able to preach God’s Word, which I find very fulfilling. To also watch people’s lives be challenged and be challenged for the better so that they can find purpose in life, especially those who seek Jesus for their spiritual growth. Just being part of people’s spiritual growth is a great privilege.

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

I was amazed when God had this new appointment of Tamworth Corps. Just before going to Tamworth, I started to learn guitar for the first time, and I thought, “Wow! I am going to the golden ‘Guitar City’.”

I had the Holy Spirit tapping me on the shoulder about starting up a guitar group, which we have commenced. There are a couple of guitarists in the corps, and one of them joined since we have been here. I really enjoy relaxing and practising my guitar, and the fellowship that we have once a week learning guitar.

And of course, I enjoy walks with my wife, Yan.

Majors Tony and Yan DeTommaso. (Photo courtesy of the Northern Daily Leader)

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

The song from the Salvation Army song book number 506: ‘Lord, You know that we love you. Help that love to be true: Fill our lives with Your Spirit’s power, Lord of love, make us strong, We who to Christ belong.’

It is a very powerful song that fills me. It is Holy Spirit music to my soul. I first heard it sung by the Dulwich Hill Songsters – that is where I became a Christian. It is a real blessing to have that song as part of my life, and not only is it a song, but it is also a prayer, and I have a beautiful image within of the songsters singing it.

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?

Very interesting – so many amazing characters in the Bible who relate to life today. The first person that comes to mind if I could not speak with Jesus (although I do speak to Jesus all the time) is King David. I would ask him about his journey from that shepherd boy and his battle with Goliath to him becoming King of Israel. To ask about the challenges, the temptations and ultimately, where his stand was with God. Also, going over some of his Psalms would be nice as a reflection on the Psalms.

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 ask them to truly see how God is calling them. If God is calling them to become officers, then certainly God is going to bless them. The calling is a fantastic journey of trusting. You never know where you are going to end up appointment-wise, and the different people you are going to meet. That has been the most interesting part of the walk as a Salvation Army officer. Also, trusting that God has a big picture in mind when He calls. So, if God is calling you, what have you got to lose? God has got your back – Amen!