Colac officer honoured with inaugural ‘Mission Regeneration Award’
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas has added the ‘Mission Regeneration Award’ to a swathe of new honours handed out across the country over the past week to recognise Salvation Army leaders engaged in pioneering new expressions of faith.
Lieutenant Paul Trotter, Corps Officer at Colac (Vic.), is the inaugural recipient of this award, presented to him by Miriam at the General’s Victoria Division Rally at Melbourne Convention Centre on Sunday.
Miriam said that reinvigorating existing expressions is often harder than planting a new expression and commended Paul: “You have done a remarkable ministry at Colac … God has been using you and your team, and we want to celebrate you today as someone who’s seen God turn the place around.”
Paul was commissioned in 2019, and his first appointment was to Brunswick as a corps officer/team member in January 2020, and then as the Team Leader in October 2022. Paul was then appointed to Colac in January 2022.
He has transformed the mission and ministry of the corps, particularly post-COVID 19, which has included moving into newly renovated buildings. This has seen the development of a number of community table expressions and of Colac becoming a Community of Hope for the wider community. Innovative ministry takes place, including drop-in zones for youth, and collaborating with other local services such as the local council, police and skills providers.
Paul said it was a privilege and surprise to receive the award.
“It’s a reminder that within the organisation we have the freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to direct and guide to make Kingdom impact, building relationships within our communities,” he said.
Cutmore Awards Other Victorian Division officers to be recognised during the rally were Major Narelle Jacobsen for her pioneering work at ‘The Well’ in St Kilda, and Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle of Project 614 Corps in inner-city Melbourne.
Narelle and the Nottles were recipients of the ‘Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award’.
Narelle Jacobsen Narelle said she was surprised to receive the award but was reminded by her team afterwards that a few years ago, the Lord had told her that she was a pioneer and that her name would be known.
“That was confirmation today,” she said after the rally. “Words that have been spoken have just come about, so that’s been a huge encouragement today.”
Narelle has served at ‘The Well’ in St Kilda since January 2019. During this time, she has developed a Community of Hope, which has embraced her local community, attracting a wide range of volunteers who see ‘The Well’ as a place where they can contribute meaningfully to the community and also embrace the values of The Salvation Army.
Narelle’s strength is linking with the community, providing a range of activities and accommodating an individual’s holistic lifestyle through spiritual and physical wellbeing. ‘The Well’ has become a place where people find community and hope, and many lives have been transformed by the love of Jesus.
Brendan and Sandra Nottle The Nottles have been at Project 614 since 2003. When Miriam called them to the stage to receive their award, they playfully told her they didn’t want to be moved!
Throughout the 21 years of their appointment, they have been the heartbeat of The Salvation Army in the city, delivering holistic mission to the least advantaged of the inner city. Initiatives through which Project 614 has reached out to the community have included Street Teams, Night Café, The Pink Car (transport service for women in distress), and The Couch (for international students).
During this time, they have also established Order 614 which sees young Christians from throughout Victoria coming to share in leadership and ministry at Project 614.
“We know it’s not always easy, but God’s hand is on you, and you continue to serve the city, and God continues to give you favour. You’re planters, you’re pioneers, and we celebrate you today. Well done,” Miriam said.
After the rally, Brendan said he found the acknowledgment really moving because it’s an award that he and Sandra will share with their entire team of staff and volunteers.
“It honours the amazing team that we have… it says to the whole team – you’re valued. Your work is really appreciated by The Salvation Army.”
He said it was important to honour the work of pioneers and innovators because it was that spirit that started the movement that we know today as The Salvation Army.
