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various locations throughout The Salvation Army’s southern
territory, which encompasses 15 states from Maryland to
Texas. Over the years, as Karen jokingly put it, they’ve both
learned the skill of packing lightly.
With both being ordained ministers through The Salvation
Army, both holding the title of major, both attending many
of the same meetings and assignments throughout each
day at work, as well as also being married, Robert and Karen
have learned what it means to truly work together.
“Robert and I complement each other well at work and
in our marriage,” said Karen. “We are co-pastors together
and, although we each have our own administration and
ministry part, we are sometimes together 24/7, so working
together is integral. His strength is to be in the public eye,
and I try to stay away from cameras.”
Born in Oswego, New York, Karen was raised in The
Salvation Army and her grandfather was a pastor there for
many years. Growing up, she and her siblings were very
active in the organization. Karen recalled many fond
memories of her involvement with youth programs, teen
programs, and adult programs before she felt called to be
an officer 29 years ago.
Robert’s introduction to The Salvation Army couldn’t
have been more different. Born in Paris, Texas, Robert grew
up in poverty with alcoholic parents. Throughout his childhood,
carrying ketchup sandwiches to school because there
was nothing else to eat was a common occurrence. In fact,
sometimes even those sandwiches felt like a delicacy.
When he was eleven, someone in their community
reached out to The Salvation Army on behalf of his family.
That Christmas, a Salvation Army representative came to his
home and brought his siblings and him Christmas presents.
Robert received a basketball, which, according to Karen, he
thought was gold. That Christmas, Robert was able to go
outside and play with his ball and enjoy being a kid.
After that, his sister got involved with The Salvation Army
and he attended vacation bible school with her. But during
his teenage years, Robert battled with alcohol and found
himself near some railroad tracks one night, completely
unaware of how he had gotten there. This shook Robert
and the next night he went to The Salvation Army and gave
his heart to the Lord. And he’s never looked back.
“Robert has this amazing heart and compassion; he is so
empathetic to the population we serve because he has been
there. He has lived it – poverty, addiction, hopelessness, and
he can relate,” said Karen. “He really wants to help pull others
off their own ‘railroad tracks’ just like Jesus helped do the
same for him. Robert didn’t have a lot growing up so he
doesn’t expect a lot from people; however, he expects a
lot from the Lord.”
While Robert was training as a cadet at The Salvation
Army training college in Atlanta, as fate (or really, God) would
have it, Karen worked in the business office. After a date to
Stone Mountain, Robert proposed to Karen one week later
and, five months after that, the two were married.
“I had no intention of marrying a pastor but God changed
my heart and this New York girl married a Texas guy,” said
Karen. “Here we are now – almost 30 years after, countless
homes and cities lived in, and two amazing sons, and God
has been faithful to us.”
“The Salvation Army serves to give people hope—that
their current desperate need is only for a season and that
there are people who care about them and want to show
them the love of Jesus,” she continued. “Then, as we live out
our faith in front of these people they can say ‘hey, there IS
a better way’ and come to the other side. On the other side;
that’s where Jesus waits.” l
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To donate to The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, 110 Presto Lane, Jackson, MS 39206
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