Majors Cathy and Michael Himes are pastors of the Manchester Corps in Connecticut, in The Salvation Army’s Southern New England Division.

Major Cathy Himes

The Manchester Corps has a nursery care program for young children. Our nursery teacher takes a break every other week for service duties, so I’ve stepped up to that teacher role when I’m needed. It’s been a while since I’ve been in that type of role, but it’s exciting, and I take it very seriously. I have Bible lessons with the children, share meals, and do arts and crafts with them. Our own grandchildren live far away from us, so this ministry fills a little void in my own life right now.

When we feel at our lowest in ministry in the present, a reminder from the past comes to let us know that something we did or said to someone impacted their life. Many times, it’s adults who were part of our ministries as young people, calling after 10 or 15 years, saying, “I remember when you corrected me, and I want to thank you for that.” That’s very rewarding because at the time, your feelings are ambiguous; you wonder if you said the right thing, or if you overstepped and were too harsh. And when that person seems to recognize that you may have had some conflicted feelings, they reassure you of what you did. These affirmations are gifts from God. He chooses to bless us at the most perfect, unexpected times.

Major Michael Himes

We have been pastors in Manchester for six and a half years, and the people who attend the corps are opening to us in a way they weren’t before. They talk to us about their personal lives, what brings them joy, and where they are struggling in their faith. Listening to them share that is exciting, because they want us to be part of their spiritual journey. It shows that we’ve gained that credibility by being there for them for so long. Now, we can meet them at a deeper level than just preaching to them.

I’m always surprised when I recognize that God has equipped me with more than I had imagined. We don’t always see the impact that our actions are having for His Kingdom, but then you see that someone is being affected by your ministry. For example, doing a funeral is always difficult. You may be in front of people from a different faith, or with no faith at all. You’re nervous and wondering if you will say or do the right thing. You are experiencing very human emotions of inadequacy, but you speak the truth as you know it to be. And when you are finished, someone comes up to you to tell you that your words were meaningful, impactful, and what they needed to hear that day. Then you drive home with a smile on your face, and say, “God, why was I nervous and filled with doubt? I went in with trepidation in my heart, but I leave with certainty, excitement, and joy.” All we can do is be faithful, and He will make something golden out of our faith.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

—Ephesians 4:11–12

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.