Transformed by God’s Love

The Salvation Army’s National Commander Merle Heatwole on thriving in Christian leadership.

Christian Leadership Alliance President and CEO Tami Heim recently interviewed Commissioner Merle Heatwole, National Commander, The Salvation Army, US. Heatwole assumed this appointment on March 1, 2025. He is a member of the Christian Leadership Alliance Board of Directors.

Commissioner Merle Heatwole most recently served as the Territorial Commander for the Latin America North Territory. He oversaw Salvation Army operations in ten countries including Guatemala through Panama in Central America, Colombia and Venezuela in South America, and Cuba and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.

Prior to this, he served as International Secretary for Business Administration at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London. There he was responsible for global financial strategy and information technology. His extensive career also includes leadership roles as Chief Secretary of the USA Central Territory and National Chief Secretary at The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters.

He is married to Commissioner Dawn Heatwole who serves as The Salvation Army’s National Secretary for Program. Merle and Dawn are both children of Salvation Army officers. The Heatwoles met when their parents were both stationed at the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Divisional Headquarters. They were married in 1981. The Heatwoles entered the College for Officer Training the next year. They were commissioned in 1984 as a part of the Servants of God session.

The Salvation Army helped more than 27 million people in 2024 overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships. They did so through a range of social services. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at more than 6,000 centers of operation around the US.

How does The Salvation Army’s rich history influence its present focus worldwide?

From its earliest days, The Salvation Army has taken a wholistic approach towards meeting the needs of those we serve. William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army, believed that until the basic physical needs of a person were met, they would not be ready to consider their spiritual needs. This approach continues today as we seek to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those we serve.

As you step into this new role, what stirs your heart for The Salvation Army’s mission?

I am inspired by the words of William Booth…

I am inspired by the words of William Booth who as he approached the end of his life said, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight – I’ll fight to the very end!”

As I consider these words, my heart is stirred by the hope that comes into the lives of those who have received the light of God through the ministry of The Salvation Army; those whose lives have been transformed by God’s love. I have witnessed the transformation in the life of a child who has been rescued from a life of gang violence to find new hope through their participation in recreational and educational after school programs. These have given them hope for a brighter future.

I have seen the transformation that occurs when a person enslaved by addiction has been given the opportunity to overcome their addiction and find new hope in a personal relationship with Christ. This has given them the strength to remain sober and restore broken relationships with family. At the same time they were gaining skills to become a productive member of society.

For me, there is no greater joy than to see someone whose life has been transformed by God’s love. This is expressed through The Salvation Army’s mission “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

What has prepared you most for your new role as National Commander?

From an experience basis, I have had the privilege of serving in a wide range of Salvation Army ministries. My wife and I served as the pastors/Corps Officers for three Salvation Army church/Corps congregations. I have served in divisional and territorial roles in youth ministry, mission development and business administration. I have been Divisional Commander in two separate Divisions and the Territorial Commander of the Latin America North Territory.

In addition, I have served previously as the second in command of The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters in the USA. I also served at our International Headquarters in London, overseeing The Salvation Army’s work in North and South America. I then served as the International Secretary for Business Administration.

However, what has prepared me most for my role as National Commander has been my personal relationship with Jesus. This keeps me in tune with God’s Spirit. It helps me to keep my focus on God’s will for my life rather than trying to lead by my own strength and abilities. To keep this relationship strong, I normally read four chapters from the Bible each day. I also spend time communicating with God in prayer focusing on the needs of family, friends and The Salvation Army’s ministries.

Where do you believe the Army will have its most significant influence in coming years?

After spending nearly 10 years serving outside the United States, my wife and I are aware that we have returned to a country  significantly different than the one we left. In particular, the political and social climate has become so toxic that even Christians  struggle to find common ground.

I believe The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to be a unifying force in our country.

Within this context, I believe The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to be a unifying force in our country. Because we have consistently taken a nonpartisan stance, we have received support from members of both major political parties.

In addition, we have supporters and volunteers from both extremes of the socioeconomic divide, who represent nearly every ethnicity. Therefore, my hope and prayer is that we can unite these groups in the common cause of meeting human needs in Jesus’ name. In the process, I hope we can give them the opportunity to find common ground. They can begin having civil discussions to find solutions to the problems which confront all our communities.

What has helped you thrive as a leader, and how do you seek to help your team thrive?

One of the most significant things that has helped me thrive as a leader is the privilege of serving under godly leaders. They have demonstrated excellent leadership skills and have mentored me in developing my own leadership skills.

This process started with my own father’s example. He had a heart for evangelism which taught me that everyone has a need for the gospel. Later, my father-in-law taught me what it means to be a servant leader. He demonstrated that there are no tasks too menial for a leader to do.

In addition, I have served under the leadership of many excellent Salvation Army Officers. They have helped me develop my own leadership skills. And, they have shown me the importance of relying upon your entire team to achieve the greatest degree of success in whatever you are attempting to do. I have also benefitted from leadership courses, seminars and conferences. They have taught me that developing your leadership skills is an ongoing process. There are still things to learn regardless of your experience and age.

This was confirmed again to me during the recent CLA Outcomes Conference.

This was confirmed again to me during the recent CLA Outcomes Conference. I was inspired and encouraged to care for my own team by focusing on leader care and being a good shepherd of my flock.

I have attempted to help my own team thrive by first setting an example of servant leadership. This is to let them know that we are partners in ministry. In addition, I have ensured that they have the opportunities for further education and development of their leadership skills. This is through the types of avenues which I have found most helpful in my own development.

A Consultative Approach

I have also attempted to always utilize a consultative approach to leadership. This lets my team know that they have the freedom to both make suggestions to improve our ministry and to challenge any decisions that I might make which they don’t feel will be best for our ministry. However, this freedom must be used within our private team meetings. It is used with the understanding that final decisions which are made are supported publicly by all team members. When your team members know they have a voice, they will be much more likely to thrive. They are also more likely to develop their own leadership skills.

I have also learned that you can develop your own leadership skills while serving under a poor leader. In this situation, rather than constantly battling your leader, you pray for them. You can make a list of behaviors that you will try to avoid when you are put into leadership. This doesn’t mean that we should never confront our leaders. We should never do this simply to promote ourselves, but only when their actions are harming those who they are leading.

What encouragement would you share with other Christian nonprofit leaders?

I would begin by sharing one of my favorite passages of Scripture from 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV) which states, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

I have shared this passage with many who are serving in leadership. I believe it is a wonderful reminder to us of the reason we serve as leaders. It is not for our own personal gain or glory but to serve as shepherds of God’s flock.

All of us as leaders will face times of difficulty and even persecution. But if we keep our minds focused on the God who has called us into leadership and who has commissioned us to be his shepherds, he will lead us through the rough times. He will help us to grow, develop and eventually thrive in our leadership.

Leadership is not an easy task. My prayer for every leader is that we will find peace in knowing that ultimately our leadership does not depend on our own gifts and abilities. It depends upon a God who will help us to thrive as we rely more and more upon him.

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