Sharing the gospel through story and caring for her new community

Denise Walker. (Robin Krafft Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

The Salvation Army's new officer, Major Denise Walker, is enjoying her first Christmas season in Tillsonburg.

Walker arrived in early July, moving from Calgary, Alberta, where she served for the past seven years. She has family scattered around Stratford, Wingham, and Blythe, and she wanted to come home as she gets closer to retirement. Compared to her former posts, Tillsonburg is a much smaller community.

"Calgary was a larger congregation, so my focus was often on people in crisis," Walker said. "There was a lot of pastoral care, and it was hard to get to know everybody. For me, the smaller congregation is great. I can get to know everyone on a personal level and be a part of their journey. I'm getting to know people outside of the church as well, to hear their stories and really see one another."

Walker attended Sunday school as a child at the Salvation Army Church in Wingham, but she went to work at Crossroads Christian Communications before fulfilling her calling to become a pastor.

"I worked first on the 100 Huntley Street program. I love the TV environment and really blossomed there."

Walker was the production assistant, responsible for much of the organization behind the scenes before moving on to the special projects department. She spent a year-and-a-half helping Bruce Stacey realize his vision of transforming a story he had written for his children into the classic CTV program "Kingdom Adventure". Walker was the associate producer of the show.

She applied to the Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Toronto and was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in 1994. She started as a youth pastor at Glenmore Temple in Calgary, returning in 2018 as the senior pastor.

Walker also produced a Bible study interactive video designed for children seven to 10 years old called "Ready to Serve" for the Salvation Army that is still used across Canada.

"I have enjoyed appointments in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and beautiful Bermuda," Walker said. "I like to hear people's stories. To support people (and youth) is my passion."

Walker explained that the title Officer of the Salvation Army is often used, rather than pastor. The role involves much more than pastoral care; she is responsible not only for the church, but gives oversight to Community and Family Services and the Thrift Store as well. As the pastor, she conducts Sunday services at the Tillsonburg Salvation Army Community Church, favouring a story form teaching style.

"I like to offer people a worship experience, to come together as believers and gather with our mind and our heart, because our spirit is connected to God's spirit."