I didn’t grow up dreaming about being a Salvation Army officer. In fact, I didn’t even really know what The Salvation Army was. I grew up outside the Church and the only interaction I had with the Army was giving my loose change into the kettles at Christmastime.

That all changed during the summer I gave my life to Jesus at an Army meeting in Williams Lake, B.C. Later, in reading through the soldier preparation material, God spoke to me and told me that if I wanted to change the world and make an impact that would truly transform lives, then being a teacher in an elementary school wouldn’t cut it. He had other things planned for me—things that were gift-wrapped in my becoming a Salvation Army officer.

Since doing that, some of my peers and the young people I’ve worked with have confided that they wouldn’t mind being involved in full-time ministry, but not as officers. Many in my generation say there’s no appeal and nothing attractive about it. Having been on both sides, I beg to differ. I am sold out on officership. Why? Let me tell you a story.

The last two Mondays of every month, I am involved in a feeding line. It’s part of an Army ministry my husband and I are starting in downtown Montreal. Here’s what happens without fail each time we are there. I see people, rough and broken, standing in line for hours before the feeding van even gets there. Most of the time they wait, rain or shine, without talking to the person beside them, since they have adjusted to constantly living in isolation and not belonging to a community. They honestly feel that nobody wants them. I spend the whole time just talking to these people. You should see their faces light up when you ask them their stories or about how their week has been. It’s not just because you’re giving them a needed handout, but because you’re the one person who cares enough to listen to them while reminding them that they are loved and wanted by God.

One little girl shows up each time the van comes. You can tell just by looking at her that something isn’t quite right. In the inner city, incest and the resulting pregnancies are abnormally high. This little girl is probably the outcome of such a situation. She usually comes alone and stands by herself because the other kids can’t be bothered with her. In her face and stance she looks utterly defeated. But remarkably, she blossoms and comes alive when you pay her some attention. You see, that’s all this little girl wants—to be known and accepted unconditionally. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s looking for Christ. I get to direct her to the Truth.

We have a lot of prostitutes that stand in line. I love seeing their faces when they realize that I just want to get to know them for who they are and come with no intent to further degrade or demoralize them. They are beautiful people with amazing hopes and dreams. I get to be that person who believes in them when no one else does and introduce them to the Person who will make all their dreams come true.

Many incredible things happen in this line. People rush there to tell us about their new job or where they are volunteering this week. They are eager to share their problems and be covered in prayer. They can’t wait to help us by teaching us new words in French or translating something we don’t understand. They are happy to get that hug hello and goodbye.

All of this doesn’t stop after Monday nights. It spills over into the week as we cross paths with those who are looking for so much more than a handout.

I love officership because this is what serving God is about. In what other role do you get to see people escape the prisons in which they have been living their whole lives? In what other job do you get to see people step over from death into life and get a front-row seat as God transforms them? How many other positions make salvation, freedom from sin and doing God’s will their first priorities? What other role allows you to bless, love and build up those whom society would rather forget? How many other jobs allow you to represent and work full-time for the King of kings? Officership does.