FROM the tropics of Darwin to rolling green hills of the South East, Major Pamela Marshall has travelled a long way to share her love for Jesus and help others to live their fullest lives in her role as newly appointed Salvation Army Corps Officer for Mount Gambier and Millicent.
Working as a chaplain in the far north of Australia in drug and alcohol, domestic violence and extreme low cost accommodation services and overseeing the churches, employment industries and Salvation Army stores, the passionate woman comes with a breadth of knowledge and experience.
Following the Salvation Army’s national vision, Ms Marshall said she is ready to share her love of Jesus throughout the community and fight for those who need it most.
“Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus,” she said.
“I want to help people to live, not to give up.
“Some people just need love and encouragement, some need us to fight for them.”
Commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1982 with a group called God’s Soldiers, Ms Marshall has travelled across Australia and overseas undertaking ministerial work.
Now based in the Blue Lake city, she will oversee the two churches, the ministries and services on offer, two thrift shops, community support services and assist with financial counselling.
Stepping into the position around six weeks ago, Ms Marshall said she was already aware of homelessness and drug problems in the community.
“I saw it a lot in Darwin and I am seeing it here too, I know for a fact that someone sleeps near our church regularly,” she said.
“It’s not just the warmer climates where people gravitate to, it is happening all around.
“Some of our costs from society are extreme so our marginalised people or those on low incomes find it very difficult.
“There are some who also use their money for alternative means in the form of drugs.”
Here to help in any way she can, Ms Marshall said her main aim is to share the word of Jesus.
“First and foremost I am here because of the love of Jesus and if it was not for that love in my own life, I guess others would not mean so much,” she said.
“It is not to say it is only for my love and passion for Jesus, it is also that I do want to be able to make a difference.”
Born and raised in regional Victoria, life in Mount Gambier is not too much of a shock for the “country girl”.
“I love the country, so am more than happy to be here,” she said.
“However, I’m not sure how I will cope with the cooler weather as I have been in Darwin for the past three years.
“But give me a camera in my hand down by the beach or on a walking trail and I will love it.”
