Meet the Salvation Army new captains
A WAYWARD youth’s life was transformed 21 years ago.
AN EPIPHANY 21 years ago changed the wayward life of a Salvation Army (SA) captain who has moved to Campbeltown.
On Sunday Captain Ben Russell, 43, and his wife Ruth, 50, were officially installed at the Salvation Army church as its new officers.
Captain Ben said: ‘Before I converted to Christianity in 1995 I lived a pretty wayward lifestyle. I was a very heavy rocker with below shoulder length black hair and a biker look.
‘Ruth and I both grew up in Harwich but our paths had not crossed until we met through the Salvation Army.’
Pilgrimage
Earlier in the month, the family including children Leah, 11 and Jonathan, 6, made a pilgrimage to Kintyre, of more than 600 miles, from the SA church in the East Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne.
They had worked at that church for nine years after five years in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Eastbourne has a population of about 90,000 and Ben said there is quite a bit of poverty. Although still by the sea he sees challenges ahead.
Ben added: ‘Our vision is for a familybased church – we have 25 children coming on a Sunday.
Recognised
‘Campbeltown is a massive difference in population. We are already walking down the street and being recognised. The intimacy and fellowship of this community is what appeals to us.
‘We are a mainstream denomination. Underpinned by a Christian religion like any other church. The SA balances Christian belief with social action.’
The couple, who married in 1997, qualified in 2002 after a twoyear course at Denmark Hill, London – the only Salvation Army college in the UK.
Captain Ruth said: ‘The SA has been my family. I am a fifth generation Salvationist.
‘Once SA officers are qualified they agree to go wherever they are sent. In February 2015 we received an email, as do all officers who are moving. It is called the general farewell and we were told that we would be reappointed to Campbeltown. It was a bit of a surprise.
‘Typically the minimum stay these days is about five years.’
Leah said that there were some tough conversations, adding: ‘I already knew that I would probably not spend my whole childhood in one place.’
Dad Ben added: ‘Leah was coming to the end of primary school and will start at Campbeltown Grammar School in August. Jonathan is about to start at Castlehill primary.
‘The last two years have been quite draining pastorally. Perhaps, though we also had the insecurity of uprooting and moving, but that was the promise we made when we became officers.
‘I like a McDonald’s and the nearest is twoand-a-half hours away.
‘Our job is a true vocation, it is 24/7.’