3 minute read
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…
CAPTAIN MATTHEW MOORE Corps officer, Southwark
What made you want to become a Salvationist? Growing up in The Salvation Army I learnt about a relationship with Jesus and what it means to be an active disciple. In my late teenage years I began asking questions about my faith and decided to do soldiership classes. Around this time I learnt more about the Army’s origins and the amazing things that happened in its history. I also met people involved in frontline activities and became excited about the fact that I was part of an international movement. So, when I finished my classes, it was an easy decision to become a soldier.
What is the most interesting thing about your work – and the most frustrating? As I recently moved from Australia to the UK, I find everything interesting because it is new and different. This, of course, can also be frustrating at times. Most of all I love meeting people and discovering their stories.
What one thing would you change about the Army? I would ensure that every Army building operates on clean, renewable energy.
What is your favourite kind of holiday? Going somewhere I’ve never been before, eating something I’ve never tried before and exploring something I’ve never seen before.
‘‘ Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; Help us grasp the heights of your plans for us –Truths unchanged from the dawn of time, That will echo down through eternity
Which film character would you want to play? Indiana Jones, because he embraces the idea of curiosity and he’s not a super buffed-up hero but more like an everyday man.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose? I would love to talk to Leonardo da Vinci about his creative process and have a look at the inventions, ideas and art pieces that didn’t work out so well.
If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? Curiosity leads to adventure.
If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Clean energy.
What is your favourite food? It can change, but at the moment it’s bibimbap – a Korean rice bowl filled with veggies and topped with an egg.
What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned? It was a cassette tape – the soundtrack to Disney’s Aladdin.
If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be? New Zealand film-maker, actor and comedian Taika Waititi. I’d want to share stories all day and I love his sense of humour. Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Probably Thomas. People have labelled him ‘doubting Thomas’ but I think he was just curious. I’d ask him what it was like to be around Jesus because I think he would have noticed things others wouldn’t have.
What is your favourite hymn or worship song? ‘Speak, O Lord’ by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be? Bedbugs. I once got attacked by bedbugs every night for nine days while on a cultural exchange trip to Fiji.
Did you have a nickname growing up? Fuzza, because my hair went curly and fuzzy when I was about 12.
What do you do in your spare time? Play with my children; draw, fix or build something; watch movies or play video games.
Do you have any hidden talents? I can recite the entire script of Disney’s Aladdin, including all the songs.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When I was six years old my mum told me, ‘Don’t put your finger in the hot toffee.’ Since then I’ve never ever stuck my finger in hot toffee again!
What do you consider to be the most valuable things in your life? My wife and kids.
What is your favourite Bible verse? ‘But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand’ (Isaiah 32:8). I aspire to be a person like this.
