Welcome to the Irvines!
2009 is ushering in changes for The Salvation Army of Brown County.
As Major Ruth and Bob Fay settle into their new assignment in St. Louis, Mo., after over eight years here in Green Bay, the Green Bay Corps welcomes their new Officers, Majors Jim and Pat Irvine, to the area.
Previously assigned to the Plymouth Corps in Plymouth, Mich., they led a Corps that included the townships of Canton, Northville, Belleville, Van Buren, Sumpter and the aforementioned Plymouth. They bring a passion for ministry, serving, teaching, and preaching God’s Word to the Green Bay area. Both officers are children of officers, so moving to new places becomes an opportunity to become a part of God’s redemptive work.
Married for 31 years, they have three sons: Nathan, 24; Jeremy, 21; and Christopher, 14. Nate lives in Chicago and works for The Salvation Army in the Youth Department. Jeremy is a college student majoring in psychology; and Chris will be entering high school and has a passion for baseball.
The Irvines have held various appointments in the Central Territory from Divisional Youth Secretaries to corps appointments. They both feel strongly that corps ministry is the finest place to serve in The Salvation Army. It is exciting to be out in the community ministering to people and even more exciting to worship together each Sunday. Although Major Jim spent several years in international business as an international voice and data engineer, God has gifted him with preaching and pastoring. Pat was a music educator in piano and voice and she enjoys leading in worship through music. Her ministry gift is teaching God’s Word, and she is currently working on her master’s degree in Theology and Biblical Studies.
Whenever they are asked about their accomplishments as officers they both state emphatically that it is God who always gets the credit; after all, it is all about God, and they are both grateful that He continues to work in amazing ways through two ordinary individuals.
Major Jim loves photography and fishing and Pat can fish, but prefers exercise. They both also enjoy a really good cup of coffee. |
