Majors Dorothy and Shane Budd are pastors of the Beaver Falls Corps in the Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division.

Major Dorothy Budd

Pastoral ministry is about building community, about creating spaces where people feel seen, loved, and a part of the body of Christ. We live in a world that often is about promoting independence. This is perilous because we were created to be a part of a body of believers.

Some meaningful moments have been those times when I witnessed a person experience spiritual transformation; when I saw someone grow in faith and be bold in worship and invite others to church. What’s unforgettable is seeing people find healing when they thought they had gone beyond God’s reach of grace and mercy.

In those times, scriptures such as Romans 8:38–39, Psalm 139:7–10, or Jeremiah 31:3 are confirmed in my heart.

As pastors, we are so grateful when people care for us and show us appreciation, but our deepest desire is not for them to place their attention on us, rather it is for their hearts to love Christ more. We won’t always be with them, but Christ will. What matters most is their relationship with Him, because that is what will sustain, guide, and transform them long after we leave.

Major Shane Budd

So many things excite me about pastoral ministry. First and foremost, it’s about serving and giving glory to God. Then, it’s about loving His people. Sharing ministry with my best friend and spouse is a privilege that only God could provide. So, serving together to create spaces for people to meet and discover Jesus is what makes my soul come alive.

Seeing people come to know Jesus and to watch the Holy Spirit transform them is always exciting for me. The Salvation Army is a place where many people call home. Earlier this year, I was in the corps gym having dinner with the young people during our Thursday teen program. Kids at the table next to me began to talk about one of their friends who had not shown up yet.

There was an immediate scramble for all of them to text him, and when he did not respond to their texts, one of them called him on the phone and said, “Hey, why aren’t you at church yet?” That may seem like a small thing. But to me, it was so heartwarming because, just six months ago, some of those same teens did not even know Jesus. But today, they call our church theirs. And because of the efforts and prayers of our ministry, especially our youth pastor, and the work of the Spirit, the church is important to them.

The scriptures that guide me are Colossians 2:6–7, 2 Timothy 4:2–5, Romans 1:16–17, and Mark 12:29–30 (CSB).

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

—Hebrews 13:17

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we’d like to thank our Salvation Army officers — pastors — for their faith, their dedication, and the hard work they do for their communities and the Lord.