Meet the Officer – Auxiliary-Lieutenant Deb Strapp

1.What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? 

My current appointment is Corps Officer at the Noarlunga Salvos, in the outer southern suburbs of Adelaide. There are many things I love about my corps. Firstly, it was the corps where I came to faith almost 23 years ago, and, as such, it has always held a very special place in my heart. I love the people within our faith community; they are so loving and embrace everyone, making them feel so valued and welcome. I love the community that surrounds us because they are messy and real! What a beautiful opportunity God gives us daily to show the love of Jesus to them all.

One of my greatest passions is the Christ-centred 12-step program that we run every Wednesday night. It is one of the most authentic places that I have ever had the privilege of serving in. This is an amazing space where the most vulnerable and broken can come and find acceptance, love, and, most importantly, healing as they journey through the 12 steps.

2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? 

I have a large family that includes four married children and 13 grandchildren. I love to connect with them all! On a quieter note, however, I find much joy and peace in taking my two dogs, a mini Schnauzer (Jasper) and a Schnoodle (Pebbles), on long walks, usually to the beach, where I find solace and peace.

3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? 

I have many favourite songs, including the ‘Goodness of God’. This was released around the time I was suffering from excruciating chronic back pain. The mornings were the hardest for me as I tried to manoeuvre myself out of bed and take the weight of my body onto my feet. I would open up Spotify and play the song. The lyrics gave me such hope ... All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able I will sing of the goodness of God. I chose to worship and believe that God would bring healing to me and continued to put my faith and hope in His goodness and faithfulness. Every time I hear this song, I think of that difficult season and praise Him for the physical healing he has brought to me.

4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? 

This is a difficult question because I find great inspiration in so many of the Biblical characters. They were an ordinary bunch of people who put their hope in an extraordinary God. I guess Jeremiah would be a key one for me. Known as the weeping prophet, I, too, connected with His heart and have always felt a burden for the wayward children of God. Many years ago, God spoke to me through Jeremiah chapter one: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Then Jeremiah cried out to the Lord, “I can’t speak, I am too young!” But the Lord’s reply is what I have held on to over and over again: “Look, I have put words in your mouth.” I connect very much with Jeremiah’s feeling of inadequacy. I am sure if we got together, we would have an awesome conversation about trusting the Lord to work through us and our journey to that place of complete trust and faith in the Lord.

5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?

I believe that if you are called to officership, then it is a calling that you can never shake, and you won’t settle until you answer the call of God on your life. I love it!! With a passion! It’s hard, tiring, but always rewarding. It brings diversity, it stretches you, challenges you, but there is absolutely no other place I would rather be than serving the Lord through The Salvation Army and fulfilling His purposes and plans for my life. It is rewarding and life-giving!! I feel honoured and blessed that He called me to serve Him in this way!