Lieutenants Elias and Jennifer Pizzirusso, in their first appointment as corps officers at the Camden Kroc Center in New Jersey, share their joys and challenges, including being new parents of twin girls.

Lieutenant Elias Pizzirusso Coppeto

What excites me the most about ministry is the opportunity to spend time with people. I like to know their likes, their struggles, and what excites them. The time will come when they’ll need someone who will share a Bible verse and pray.

I love to attend graduations, birthday parties, and visit schools. Those are exciting parts of the ministry that we sometimes do not realize. But if you are going to show up when things go bad, you must share in the celebrations too. Cry with those who cry, laugh with those who laugh, and everything in between.

In December of last year, we had twins. Now I must put two babies to sleep. One is hard enough, but two? That is quite a mission. So, kudos to the parents who have multiple kids. You guys are my heroes.

Lieutenant Jennifer Pizzirusso Coppeto

I am most excited about the opportunities that come from being a pastor: meeting people from all walks of life, hearing their stories, becoming a part of their lives, and getting the unique opportunity to see the world.

My greatest challenge is balancing my roles. While being young and new at ministry (one and a half years as officers), we are also new parents of 8-month-old twin girls. Being a mom, a wife, and a pastor is not easy.

God helps me face these challenges. In prayer, he’s reminded me that my circumstance is not unique. We serve so many parents of young children, many of whom are single mothers who struggle all the time.

God has affirmed that as a pastor and leader, I am to also be an example as a parent. I can help others by showing them what God-honoring parenting looks like. In that sense, God has changed my perspective and turned this challenge into an opportunity.

When I speak to our young people, it is evident that they “get it.” That gives me the greatest satisfaction: People are listening to the Word. They are craving the Bible. They want to serve. They share their testimonies. These are the signs.

Honor your pastor by asking how you can help, and then do it. Ask how you can pray, and then pray. Don’t wait for them to present their prayer request.

Sometimes I feel I’ll be a burden if I ask for help. But when congregants take the initiative to ask, it reminds me that we don’t have to carry the weight on our own.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”  —Colossians 3:16

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.