Major at Butler Salvation Army gives last service
For his last service with the Salvation Army on Sunday morning, Feb. 23, Maj. David Means chose to focus on a reading of Psalm 51.
Specifically, Means focused on the topic of forgiveness, and asking for a clean heart for himself and those in attendance. Throughout the service, Means commented on his own journey to where he is today.
“I was asked 20 years before I went into training to give it a shot,” Means said during the service. “I wish I would’ve said yes then, but my heart wasn’t where it needed to be yet.”
After five years in Butler, and 20 as officers in the Salvation Army, Means and his wife, Darlene, had risen through the ranks to become majors. Being an officer was not the start of David Means’ time with the church, however.
“It was our church, my mother took me to church when she came home from the hospital with me,” Means said. “I also worked as an employee for almost a year.”
Means met his wife through the Uniontown Salvation Army, where they were both employed. Then, 20 years ago, they both went into training to become officers.
“We needed to go to training school, a two-year seminary in New York,” Means said. “We only had to do one year, however. They sent us to Meadville as what they call a ‘cadet on the field.’”
David and Darlene served as officers for three years in Meadville, three in Latrobe, five in Altoona and six in Lewistown before coming to Butler in 2019. Then, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic required changes to their lunch program.
“We had to serve our food out of the garage for a few months,” Means said. “We were told no one was allowed in the building. But we didn’t slow down with the program.”
The five years the David and Darlene worked in Butler were an adjustment, but a time Means looks back on with fondness. He spoke on the challenges that come with being a minister.
“When they’re having a good day, you’re good. But if they’re not, they want to vent,” Means said. “That’s part of our job, too. We listen. Jesus listened to people and asked questions about how to help.”
After retirement, Means said he looks forward to moving to Sharon in Mercer County, where Darlene’s family lives. Despite their retirement, Means already knows he will be involved in the Salvation Army there.
“I’m not going to sit around. If I get another job, and I probably will, it’s going to be ministry related,” Means said. “I can’t do anything else.”
