We’d like to introduce you to Colonels Thomas and Julie Anne Louden, our new Chief Secretary and Territorial Leader for Leader Development. Known for being warm and genuine, they share about their lives, family and ministry—living purposefully and with passion.
How did you become involved with The Salvation Army?
Julie Anne: I’m a fifth-generation Salvationist. As an officers’ child, I was raised in The Salvation Army. I was saved by Jesus at the Alexandria, Va., Corps at age 7 and became a junior soldier. From that point on I have been a Salvationist and active in the Army’s mission. Growing up, I loved going to camp. It was through the Army that I was called to attend Asbury College where God sanctified my heart and life. It was also there where I met the love of my life. I love the Lord Jesus and The Salvation Army, and I count my calling as an officer as one of my life’s greatest joys and honors.
Tom: I’m a fourth-generation Salvationist. My soldier parents raised me as a Salvationist, and it has made all the difference in my life. I was saved by Jesus when I was 7 at Camp Tomahawk, and I grew up in the Martinsburg, W.Va., Corps. The corps was a very important part of my life, and I wanted to be a part of everything. My parents taught me that being a soldier was a serious commitment, and it was how I was taught to love and serve the Lord. I was led by God to Asbury College through a War Cry article about the Salvation Army Student Fellowship (SASF) there. I praise God for Asbury. It’s where God sanctified my heart and life, and I met the love of my life, Julie Anne.
What have you found most rewarding about being an officer?
Julie Anne: Loving people with the love of Jesus is the most rewarding part. The love of Jesus is transformational. No one is ever the same once Jesus’ love is encountered. My calling as an officer has given me immeasurable opportunities to love others for Jesus. To see lives transformed through the love of Jesus is the most rewarding thing I think a person can experience.
Tom: The most rewarding aspect for me has been the proclamation of Jesus and God’s Word. Being an officer has given me immense opportunity to proclaim God’s love—to preach the Good News in word and deed. The Lord has allowed me to see people receiving God’s Word and then following Christ. I can’t think of any endeavor more rewarding.
What is your ministry passion?
Julie Anne: Families, particularly officer families. I believe it’s in and through families the best discipleship can occur, and that is what will strengthen our corps and communities and win the world for Jesus. We’ve all witnessed the enemy’s attack upon our families and the deterioration of the God-ordained family fabric. God’s ordinance has not deteriorated and has not changed, but we have taken liberties with His holy intentions, which has brought pain and suffering within the family. I believe bringing the healing and wholeness of Jesus to our families is one of our greatest opportunities for effective ministry.
Tom: My ministry passion is for the Army’s integrated mission. I may be biased, but I think The Salvation Army is the greatest opportunity in the world to present Jesus to everyone. We are a part of a Movement that has a never-changing mission but ever-changing methods. My passion is tightly bound to the time-tested and proven Boothian/Wesleyan Orthodox Salvationism, which not only birthed The Salvation Army but has promoted Jesus Christ in word and deed for nearly 160 years and sustained our holy, God-ordained Movement. I get excited when the ministry of The Salvation Army is integrated—when preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination are mutually supportive. There is nothing like it in the world!
If I may add to that, I would say that this passion almost always leads to vision, which I have found can hardly ever be large enough. There seems to be a tendency when we find a missional endeavor to be fruitful, we drop anchor there to enjoy the view. But I sense the Holy Spirit is saying to lift our eyes and seethe immensity of the sea of lost humanity and capture a vision for our personal and corporate Salvationism that is so big it takes us past our own power to where we are utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit. It is a vision for full salvation for every man, woman, boy and girl. For me, that is the fruit of God’s Word expressed through the integrated mission of The Salvation Army, which is desperately needed. As long as we stay moored to God’s Word and our great orthodox faith and Salvationism, I believe we will see fruit that is abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Colonel Julie Anne, given your experience and current role, would you speak about the importance of developing leaders?
Encouraging continuous learning and development of leaders is essential to moving the mission forward. It means creating an environment where leaders are motivated to grow, innovate and improve. Through mentorships and coaching they can become empowered to promote the mission, confidently navigate challenges and develop their own leadership styles. A significant part of leadership is cultivating an environment of trust and empowering others to lead so they feel confident to take initiative as God leads them. The ability to navigate change, be adaptable and resilient is crucial too. Building relationships with other leaders also is essential for sharing best practices, resources and ideas for leader development. This type of leader development is based upon Christian integrity, transparency and accountability.
My passion is to ensure that leadership training is not just theoretical but directly applicable and practical to the Army’s mission and ministry. By focusing on these areas, I believe together we can effectively contribute to the growth and development of leaders in this territory.
Ministry is fulfilling but demanding. What restores you?
Tom: First, and perhaps foremost, reading God’s Word and praying every day absolutely restores us. We have found all we need is in God and His Word. We also find Sabbath rest to be incredibly restorative: working as hard as we can six days a week and resting one day a week. It also means that even though we work as hard as we can six days of the week, we do so by giving God our firsts: first hour of every day, first consideration in every decision, first thanks and praise, etc. It means we trust Him with our time, energy, resources and future. In short, if we live in the center of His will then His joy becomes our strength, even—and especially—when it doesn’t make sense to take time to rest.
Tell us about your family.
Julie Anne: Well, how much time do you have? We are so blessed. We met and fell in love at Asbury College and have been married for 35 years and have been officers for 30 years. We completely and deeply love the Lord, each other, and The Salvation Army.
We have four amazing children, one amazing daughter-in-love and two astounding grandchildren. And soon we will have an amazing son-in-love as our youngest daughter recently became engaged. Our son, Caleb, is the oldest. He recently graduated from Emory University Candler School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry and is managing editor for national publications; his wife Kendall is a marriage and family therapist. They are parents to Caroline, 5, and Jack, 3. They live in Virginia. We have three daughters: Emily, Elizabeth and Ericka. Emily works for the United States Senate and lives in Louisville, Ky. Elizabeth recently graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with her master’s in leadership. She is on staff at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., as a resident director and director of student activities. Ericka has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from the University of Georgia and works for Ballard Designs. She lives in Nashville, Tenn., and is engaged to Zach Israel.
Being together as a family is our absolute favorite thing. We all love the Lord and live to serve Him. We hope our Central Territory family will get to meet our family.
What is the best thing about being a grandparent?
Tom: Everything! We love being grandparents. Julie Anne is Marmie, and I am Duke to our grandchildren—Marmie-Duke! We loved rearing our children, and having grandchildren is a new opportunity to see our children live, grow and develop into who God has designed them to be, which brings us great joy.
What relationships have had a significant influence on your life?
Julie Anne: The most significant influence on my life has been my family, especially my husband and parents, Majors Jim and Bertha Worthy. Many officers, soldiers and friends also have had a transformative impact on my life.
Tom: Without question, Julie Anne has influenced my life in profound and beautiful ways. She has shown me unconditional love. The longer I live the more I realize how much my parents, Bob and Anna Louden, sacrificed for me and how deeply they have influenced my living. Dr. Dennis Kinlaw and Dr. Bill Ury have significantly influenced my theology, discipleship and biblical study. Dr. James Hamilton at Asbury College taught me humility and discipline (still a work in progress).
What are your hobbies?
Tom: I love fishing. I also find great enjoyment in reading. Music has always been an important part of my life, which often leads me into God’s presence. I find myself listening to music while I work and especially while I am driving I will either listen to music or sermons (yeah, I’m that guy).
Julie Anne: I enjoy reading, cooking, decorating, shopping, and spending time with our family.
Colonel Julie Anne, what’s your family’s favorite dish?
I love making my homemade spaghetti. I also enjoy baking cakes, cobblers, and cookies! It is especially fun with our grandchildren!
Do you have any unique or hidden talents? (Like a killer sourdough starter or hanging pictures without a level)
Julie Anne: I think I can tell you one of Tom’s hidden talents. He can replicate many animal sounds. Our grandchildren love it when he plays “name that animal.” He is actually pretty good and has caused some confusion when people hear barking and no dog is in sight, especially on airplanes.
Tom: I’m afraid Julie Anne is right. I developed this talent as young man during countless hours ringing bells at kettles.
Julie Anne has a phenomenal talent of making bows. She is the best decorator I have ever known, but her bow-making is off the charts. She has taught dozens of others this skill, but no one comes close.
How can Central Salvationists pray for you?
Julie Anne: Thank you for asking. Please pray that we are used by the Lord for all He wants to do in and through us. We know He has a plan for our lives that is greater than we can imagine and that we trust Him for every day.
Tom: Please pray our Heavenly Father will continue to draw us closer to Him, that we may be shaped and filled into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Please pray God will use us to bring Him Glory and that we would be pleasing in His sight.