‘‘ All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army. We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves. This week… MAJOR MARK ROSE Hendon How did you first come into contact with the Army? I was taken as a baby by my parents. What made you want to become an officer? I realised I wanted to do God’s will at the age of about 20. As I opened up to this thought, I knew that officership was his calling. What are the most interesting – and frustrating – things about your role? Hearing other people’s stories is always the most interesting part. Administration, particularly where attention to detail is required, is the most frustrating thing. What one thing would you change about the Army? I would want to accelerate the shift of focus from ‘the Army’ to ‘the Kingdom’. What is your favourite kind of holiday? Theme parks and sun with all the family and friends, or isolation and peace in a remote cottage with my wife, Lindy, and a good book.
Renew my will from day to day, Blend it with thine and take away All that now makes it hard to say Thy will be done
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If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play? Brassed Off. I would play Danny the bandmaster. I have always wanted to make his final speech on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? I often use the slogan, ‘I’m not very clever but I can lift heavy things.’ I would love others to say of me, when I’m not in earshot, ‘He made a difference.’ Did you have a nickname growing up? I have had several – including Rosie, for obvious reasons – but the one that has stuck and is still used by my friends today is Ernie, after my footballing hero Ernie Moss. If you could invent a gadget what would it be? A device that detects and cuts out political, organisational and personal spin. If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be? His-and-hers matching shell suits. What is your favourite Bible verse? At the moment it is 1 John 3:1: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.’ I am in awe of the grace of God that adopts me and lavishes love on me and I want to show that love so that the world can know him. Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Isaiah. I’d ask him about his vision of the Lord (see chapter 6) and his mission (see chapters 60 and 61).
If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be? Injustice. If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Wisdom. What is your favourite hymn or worship song? Throughout the years I always come back to a little chorus sung to the tune ‘Troyte’: ‘Renew my will from day to day,/Blend it with thine and take away/ All that now makes it hard to say/ Thy will be done.’ What is your favourite meal? Fish, chips and mushy peas at the seaside. What do you do in your spare time? Swim and watch Chesterfield FC. Apart from the Bible, which book would you want on a desert island? The Essential John Stott. It’s a big book so it would take a while to read and it’s packed with themes that challenge and inspire. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? The advice my dad gave me when I started secondary school: ‘Whatever you do son, don’t get caught!’ And, when I left: ‘As you grow older you will understand the importance of prayer. Don’t wait until you are old to start praying.’ What is the most valuable thing you possess? Loving, supporting and fun-loving family and friends. Something interesting people might not know about you is… I am qualified to fire explosives.
