(Photos/Courtesy of Jane Bell)

A Fierce Heart for Service

by Colonel Richard Munn

Renowned World War II journalist Ernie Pyle was beloved for focusing his articles on the courage and bravery of rank-and-file American GIs on the front lines, decidedly not the five-star general types. Heroes, performing their duties unannounced, and out of the spotlight.

We have many such soldiers in the ranks of The Salvation Army, and we thank God for them. What is an army without soldiers?

Jane Bell from Manchester Citadel, Connecticut, is such a soldier. Tough as nails, yet tenderhearted, she embodies the best of soldier service 24/7, week in, week out, year after year, over 30 years and counting, no letup in sight. Be it food kitchen work, Christmas kettle hours, kid pickup, prayer meetings, or youth programs, Jane is likely there. At the heart is a fierce love for God and the vulnerable.

So, let’s meet a quite tenacious soldier, Jane Bell, as SAconnects conducts an in-depth interview to give you, our faithful readers, the story behind the story.

You were raised in The Salvation Army in Manchester, Connecticut. Can you tell us about your family of origin and those childhood days?

We had a large family, six of us children. The Salvation Army was a place we could all go to participate in programs during the week and church on Sunday. My parents were caretakers at Camp Nathan Hale when we were young. My grandparents were involved with The Salvation Army in many different lay positions. The Salvation Army was a major part of our lives.

Your care and advocacy for vulnerable people inspires many. How has that passion expressed itself over the years?

I left The Salvation Army for several years in my 20s, then returned broken and in need of healing. I stepped into church and Bible study seeking God but feeling unworthy of His love because I had turned my back on Him. God almost immediately began a beautiful work in me, bringing healing and wholeness. It has been a process. I knew I wanted others to receive what God was doing for me. As I looked at the vulnerable, I could see myself before the work God had begun. I never wanted to forget my dark days in order to keep my heart soft toward the vulnerable; I wanted them to get what I was receiving. It was beautiful.

Can you tell us more about the Brave program in Manchester?

Brave empowers girls ages 8-plus to become confident, purpose-driven young women through spiritual, social, and practical formation. Guided by Scripture, we help girls recognize they are made for a purpose, to honor and live for God. We teach respectful social skills and etiquette that reflect God-designed relationships, and we equip girls with essential life skills such as public speaking, goal setting, navigating peer pressure, community service, and team building through fun and games — so they can serve others and thrive with competence and character.

Around the world there is increasing recognition that empowering girls is one of the most effective ways to strengthen entire communities.

We had our first Brave day camp for a week in the beginning of August, this very summer. The girls signed up for art or dance as electives and united chorus for everyone. We spent the week learning what God says and feels about us and letting the girls experience new ways of worshiping God. Leaders from the community all devoted themselves to the experience. It was amazing. God was with us. At the final performance we were all, including family members of the girls, touched by the presence of God with us.

Many associate you with prayer meetings, even linking The Salvation Army with other churches in town through shared prayer times. How did that come about?

As I entered Bible study and church, I was learning very quickly that prayer was key to spiritual growth. So, I began inviting people to prayer meetings. Over the years anyone that would pray at any time I would invite and pray they showed up. More prayer, more God, was my thought.

We then began inviting people from other churches to join in prayer. Nightly prayer, 10 days of prayer, 40 days of prayer, prayers on the front lawn or in the park, prayers in parking lots of school. It was always teams of people who agreed to keep going. I spent time alone too. We currently have a community-wide monthly prayer time. We rotate in a few churches, taking the lead.

God was teaching me directly and through my reading of the Bible and stories of the giants of faith that intimacy with Him is the key to strong spiritual longevity in our spiritual life.

Ministry is hard and messy, but beautiful at the same time. I became a foster parent and ended up adopting four children. It was all about getting healing and wholeness for us all.

Any further insights or gems of interest that will encourage our readers?

Our community has seen many “big answers” to prayer, amazing and surprising at times. During one of our extended times of prayer as the community met together, we felt God gave us a directive to go to the hardest housing project in town and pray. No one cared about this place or the people who lived there.

We began by prayer walking, mostly early on Saturday mornings. Several churches broke into prayer teams and walked the property in prayer. After a month or two we began knocking on doors, meeting people, praying with them and getting to know them. Eventually the property was sold, and we were told we could not be on the property. The new owner really improved the property, and as we watched this dark dingy place become upgraded, I could see what I thought was an answer to prayer. It became a beautiful place, cared for. Agencies from town began to invest in the people who lived there.

We also felt God call us to a ministry to children. We would pick up roughly 75 kids mostly at the housing project and bring them to The Salvation Army, teach them about God, feed them, and love on them. Again, it was hard and messy, but beautiful. I was so proud of the corps in Manchester who worked together for the children.

This ministry was how Brave started. Kids were aging out and God was breaking my heart for them, so I was made aware of the Salvation Army Brave program. Once again women from the community stepped in to help.

When COVID-19 hit and things were shut down our hearts ached. We continued a small prayer time early in the morning with just a few attending. It has been hard to come back, but we have. Brave continues; monthly prayer and small group prayer continue in town. Feeding and caring for the vulnerable carries on.

Thank you, Jane, we are so inspired by your dogged fortitude. We join the many who rise up and call you blessed. Believe this, the SAconnects team is cheering you on.