The Salvation Army and me

Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army! We’ve asked various people to tell us about themselves. This week…

JONATHAN EVANS Sale

How did you first come into contact with the Army? I was born into a Salvation Army family, to officer parents, so the Army has always been a major part of my life.

Why did you become a Salvationist? It was because of the example of godly people at Wrexham Corps, where my parents were at the time: people who had truly given their whole lives to God seemed to have a great inner peace and an ache to help those less fortunate.

What is your day job? I’m a primary school teacher at a large inner-city school in Manchester, working with 10 and 11-year-olds and co-ordinating the school’s growing music programme.

What is the most interesting part of your job – and the most frustrating? Working with the children is without a doubt the most interesting part. They never cease to put a smile on my face or surprise me. Most of all, they challenge

‘‘ People who had truly given their whole lives to God seemed to have a great inner peace and an ache to help those less fortunate

’’

me to question the world. Anything that gets in the way of working with children frustrates me – mostly filling in risk assessments, forms and endless marking!

What one thing would you change about the Army? We need to truly embrace inclusion and show God’s love in all our interactions – with each other and in how we serve other people.

What is your favourite kind of holiday? A city break!

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why? I would love to meet Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King Jr and ask them what sustained them through their darkest times.

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Apart from Jesus, I would love to meet Moses and ask him about the experience of parting the Red Sea and walking across the seabed.

What do you do in your spare time? I spend a lot of time doing Army activities but away from that I enjoy time with family and friends, making music, reading, walking, series bingeing (Game Of Thrones, Peaky Blinders and Luther are my favourites) and playing and watching any sport, but especially cricket and football (I’m a longsuffering Newcastle United fan).

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be? I remember having several pairs of jeans with holes in when I was a teenager. If this trend came back I wouldn’t have to buy new ones so often! If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? Keep calm, be patient and find positivity in all you do.

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be? Andy Murray – a sporting great and a really interesting bloke.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song? ‘In Christ Alone’ (SASB 861) or ‘Great Is The Lord’ (‘Thank You For Saving Me’) (SASB 477).

Is there something about life you’ve never understood? Children with terminal illnesses.

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be? Child poverty.

If you could invent a gadget, what would it be? A little robot to take the bins out. I hate taking the bins out!

Do you have any hidden talents? I’m pretty amazing at times tables. I get to test this talent most days of the week.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room what would it be? ‘Three Little Birds’ (‘Don’t Worry ’Bout A Thing’) by Bob Marley.

What do you consider to be the most valuable thing you possess? My wedding ring or the watch my wife, Ellie, gave me on our wedding day, which is inscribed with the date we got married.