Captain Alexander Vargas

What excites me most about my pastoral ministry is witnessing a true transformation, watching someone step out of isolation and into the fullness of God’s grace. That was my experience with Ronald, who at first was hesitant and neglected coming to church, feeling distant or overlooked. But through dedicated pastoral care, taking the time to truly listen to his story, and opening the Word of God together, the Holy Spirit moved in his life. Seeing him make that profound decision to accept Jesus and surrender his life to Him is the absolute heart of my calling.

What is so deeply rewarding and so beautifully aligned with the mission of The Salvation Army is that a genuine encounter with the Lord doesn’t stop at salvation; it always leads to active service. Look at how far Ronald has come: He didn’t just find a spiritual home; he answered the call to be a soldier, stepped up as part of the local leader council, and now lifts his voice in the worship band. That is the essence of why I do what I do. It is about meeting people right where they are in their brokenness or hesitation, sharing the unconditional love of Christ, and watching the Lord transform them into devoted, active servants of the Almighty God, ready to build His Kingdom. There is truly nothing more exciting or fulfilling than that.

Captain Olga Vargas

One of the most meaningful moments in my pastoral ministry happened through our food pantry. A woman came to receive food, and as we talked, she shared with me that she had recently lost her job. She was a single mother, carrying the weight of providing for her family while facing uncertainty about her future. I had the opportunity to listen to her, pray with her, and walk alongside her as a pastoral counselor. What started as a simple visit to the food pantry became the beginning of a beautiful journey of faith and transformation. Over time, I watched her begin volunteering, become more involved in the church, and grow in her relationship with God. Eventually, she began serving others herself and even started a ministry. It was powerful to see someone who initially came needing help become someone who wanted to help others. This experience reminds me of 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” As pastors, sometimes we may not immediately see the fruit of what we do. But when we listen, pray, encourage, and walk with people through difficult seasons, God can use those moments to transform lives.

For me, that is one of the greatest joys of pastoral ministry — not simply meeting a person’s immediate need, but witnessing God restore their hope, strengthen their faith, and eventually use their story to bless someone else. I am grateful that God has given me the opportunity to be present in people’s lives during those moments and to serve alongside them as they become the people God has called them to be.