The Work of a Christian Woman in the Salvation Army

Vol. 6, No. 1, Winter 1998, Covering the Former Soviet Union and East Central Europe

Women in Ministry: New Paths
The Work of a Christian Woman in the Salvation Army

Larisa V. Makarova

The Salvation Army is first and foremost a church. Our organization is engaged in more than simply social work and good deeds. God wants us to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. The Salvation Army is an international movement that represents an evangelical branch of the Christian church. Its teaching is based on the Bible, and its service flows from a love for God and a practical concern for the needs of people. The mission of the Salvation Army is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to satisfy basic human needs; and to give personal exhortations to enable the spiritual and moral rebirth and the physical renewal of all those in need who fall into the sphere of the Army's guardianship regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or age.

The Salvation Army existed in Russia from 1912 to 1917, and its activity in Russia was renewed in 1990. As well as in Russia, we also carry on work in Moldova and Georgia. Our uniform is, in fact, a means for bearing witness. When people ask us who it is we are saving, we are given the opportunity to bear witness about Christ. We in the Salvation Army have a saying: "We give God our hearts, and people our hands." It is useless to talk about God to a person who is hungry.

In the Salvation Army there are no prohibitions concerning what women can do. Our responsibility is to preach. We have 22 corps. Our preachers bear the rank of officers. It is excellent that in our organization women have equal rights with men. Married couples who serve are both officers and assist one another. In order to serve as an officer, women must be able to preach.

Larisa Vladlenovna Makarova was born in 1950 in Izyum, Kharkov district, Ukraine. She was educated as an optical engineer. She came to Christ in 1990 with the help of friends. After completing the Salvation Army Institute for Officer Training, she became an officer in the Salvation Army.

Larisa V. Makarova, "The Work of a Christian Woman in the Salvation Army," East-West Church & Ministry Report, 6 (Winter 1998), 11.

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