Majors Lila and Walter Droz are pastors of the Elizabeth Corps in The Salvation Army’s New Jersey Division.

Major Lila Droz

In ministry, there is no cookie-cutter way of doing things. You must think outside the box and meet people where they are. I remember a time when a young lady came into our shelter. She was in a low place in her life. She felt alone and was rejected by her family for certain circumstances and choices she had made. I was able to show her the love of Jesus by simply having a meal with her and an honest conversation with her. I realized that she just wanted someone to hear her. Today, she attends our Women’s Ministries meetings. Sometime people don’t always need something tangible. What they really need is an ear to listen.

There is a family that has been part of our lives for many years. We first met their children when they attended our after-school program. They had a challenging home situation; their father was incarcerated and there was no stable parental presence. After much love, time, and attention, this family became a strong presence in our corps. When the father came home from prison, he saw what we were able to do for his family in the name of Jesus. Now, he’s serving Christ in ministry too. They are still part of our lives, and we have become one family. My husband even conducted the marriage ceremony of one of the daughters. That family reminds me that God always has a plan, and His plans go farther then we can ever imagine.

Major Walter Droz

Every day, there are new challenges that come through our doors, and God has always been graceful in providing the resources to face those challenges. I have heard countless stories of people’s lives, and through all those conversations, there are people who need the Lord. Being a pastor is not a career choice; it’s a calling from God. With the decline in pastors and the high numbers of resignations, I pray every day that God keeps reminding me that this is what I am supposed to be doing, and this is where He wants me.

As a parent of a child with special needs, I can connect with parents who walk in that same journey. I remember a young lady that stopped by in our food pantry. We talked and I learned that she has a daughter on the autism spectrum. We shared some of the challenges and frustrations of having a special needs child. I remember her asking me, “Do you ever get angry with God for giving you a child with special needs?” I was honest and said, “Yes, there are days where I am frustrated and angry, but that’s when Jesus shows Himself more in my life and gives me the strength to get through those days.” I shared some of those moments with her, but most importantly, I prayed with her. I only saw her that one time, but I am reminded that my job is to place the seed, and it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to water it.

“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” —1 Corinthians 9:14

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.