Majors Carlos and Trudy Medina are pastors of the Chelsea/East Boston Corps in the Massachusetts Division.

During our two-year appointment in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, we’d often see an intoxicated gentleman, Miguel, staggering in and hoping for a hot meal and a place to stay the night at the emergency shelter. Other residents would laugh, but I recognized the opportunity to help him. Each evening, I helped Miguel find a seat at the dinner table without him falling over. I would also feed him when he was unable to do so on his own. This continued for about two months until Miguel finally arrived at the shelter sober. Now that he was sober, I could begin talking to him about the Lord. He already had felt my love through feeding him and helping him, but now, I could offer him true love from the Father. Miguel soon began attending church on Sundays. He continued attending until one Sunday, he felt the Holy Spirit urging him to accept Jesus as his Savior. Miguel accepted Jesus and became a new man! He was later enrolled as an adherent and became involved in many corps programs, even singing in the songsters. Today, Miguel still serves the Lord!

For us, the most meaningful moments in our ministry have been when we directly nurture people, physically, emotionally, and spiritually and then celebrate with them once they have become a “new creation” in Christ. Helping others, showing them love and compassion where they are — from their rock-bottom point in life, to the point where they are progressing and meeting their goals physically, emotionally, and spiritually — these are the most rewarding experiences we have as pastors.

God called me at the age of 16 to pastor His church. Being a pastor isn’t just preaching the Word of God — it’s a way of life. I agree with the Apostle Paul who wrote: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12, NKJV). He chose me for His work, and there is no greater honor than this!

Our work as pastors is never fully done. We shoulder burdens that few people know, all while continuing to preach and teach the gospel. Much of our work is done behind the scenes, while still trying to balance our personal and family time with congregational time. I, personally, have still not found that perfect balance. We are caretakers, campaigners, fundraisers, sound-system “pros,” PowerPoint masters, personnel supervisors, facility maintenance supervisors, church bulletin preparers, musicians, and so much more. The responsibilities and challenges are great. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. Why? Because God called me. Being a pastor means having the privilege of sharing parents’ joy over the birth of their child and the pain of those who have lost a mother or father. It’s celebrating a couple’s union at their wedding. It’s rejoicing with the drunk who has taken the first step towards sobriety. It’s living Christ’s example through my everyday tasks. If I can point someone to Christ by exemplifying His love, then I have already gained my eternal reward. Being a pastor means I have the great privilege of standing in the gap for God in the lives of His people.

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

—1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

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.