Major Debra Pascoe’s office is bright and sunny, filled with books, comfortable chairs and family photos. Figurines of Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth stand on a shelf beside pink flowers. It is a welcoming place.
“I’ve always believed in an opendoor policy,” said Major Debra, the territory’s new secretary for spiritual life development. “One of my greatest joys is when people seek my office out for a listening ear, knowing they can talk with me, and that I love to pray.”
Growing up in Duluth, Minn., Debra attended the corps with her parents and two siblings. She gave her life to Christ when she was about 7 years old.
“I remember my mom kneeling down beside me at a Salvation Army altar, asking Christ into my life,” she said.
Young Debra had plans to become a nurse, following in her mother’s footsteps. But as a teenager, her corps officer asked if she’d ever thought about being a Salvation Army officer.
“That sparked something in my spirit,” the major recalled.
In 1983, Debra married Tim Pascoe, and together they entered training to become officers in 1986. After being commissioned, they led corps in Waukegan, Elgin and Chicago, and then each held a variety of divisional and territorial headquarters appointments.
As the Pascoes served across the Midwest, they raised three daughters. Stephanie is now an officer, and Melissa and Jessica both work for The Salvation Army.
As the girls were growing, they were brought along on their parents’ busy daily routines.
“Our girls were towed here and there. We always tried to make them feel like they were a part of our ministry,” Major Debra recalled.
In their free time, the family enjoyed flying kites together and taking part in anything related to Walt Disney productions, including books, movies and vacations to the Disney World theme park.
Today, as empty-nesters, Majors Debra and Tim enjoy watching old movies and shopping for antiques together. And family time is treasured— especially now, as they have five young grandchildren.
In autumn 2021, while she and her husband were stationed at the Great Lakes Divisional Headquarters in Southfield, Mich., in the suburbs of Detroit, the major was diagnosed with oral cancer.
“When we moved to Detroit, I had no idea this cancer was around the corner for me,” she said.
“But the doctors I needed were there. God planned it [our appointment there]. I believe that.”
She went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She knows God kept her spirits lifted, often using nature.
“I didn’t leave the house for months. But God worked out every detail,” she said. “The Salvation Army quarters we lived in had big windows at the front and back of the house. I spent long days lying on the couch. The deer would come through our yard. The birds and squirrels would keep me company through those windows. It was a little ‘plus’ the Lord gave me with those long days of recovery.”
Today, the medical reports are good. She has no signs of cancer.
“I’m thankful for God’s healing. Not that there weren’t hard days,” she recalled. “But God was faithful. We saw his handiwork through all of that.”
In summer 2023, Major Debra was appointed as territorial secretary for spiritual life development.
Stationed at Central Territorial Headquarters (THQ), she makes it her daily mission to reach out to the staff.
“I always say ‘Hi’ to the receptionist— the first person I greet here each day. I say ‘Hi’ to everyone in the hallways,” she said. “We never know what is going on in someone’s life.
Giving a smile and a greeting—you never know how that can change someone’s day.”
She initiated a monthly Bible study group at THQ called Third Thursdays that looks at spiritual disciplines—“the spiritual practices that make us more Christlike,” she explained.
The major will be resourcing Salvationists across the territory.
“We have to be creative in ways we let the Salvationists who are on the frontlines know we are here for them,” she said. “The needs of a corps in a rural town are very different from those of a corps in a big city.”
Major Debra says she is looking forward to seeing how God will use her in her new position.
“I feel very privileged to be in this position,” she said. “These are not easy days we are living in. But God has a plan. If we can stay true to Him and His Word and the calling He places on our lives, we can make our corner of the world a little more godly.”
