God's work in real time: Cape Girardeau natives fulfilling God's call through the Salvation Army

The ringing of Salvation Army bells is a familiar sound in the winter. For Lts. Marquis and Twyla Brookins, working for the Salvation Army is fulfilling God's call in their lives.

Much of what they do is coming alongside families and sharing life with them.

"We get to do everything from marrying people to burying people," Marquis Brookins said. "We get to intentionally invest in people's lives on God's behalf."

The Brookinses have spoken with teenagers about sex, taught children the basics of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and helped people develop an understanding of God. Brookins said partnering with his wife in ministry is full of joys and challenges. He described their work as "seeing God work in real time."

"I don't have to come home and say, 'Honey, this amazing thing happened today,' because we're right there beside each other," Brookins said. "It's easy to get tired and worn out, or feel like you're working hard and not accomplishing anything. Working together allows us to feel refreshed."

Twyla Brookins

The Brookinses have worked together in the Salvation Army for over 10 years. They served in lay ministry for the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau before becoming commissioned. The couple currently works in Columbia, Mo.

As lay ministers, they served in youth ministry and coordinated the kettle fundraisers. They saw needs and trusted God as they stepped into the roles. The Brookinses transitioned into full-time commissioned ministry because they believed God was calling them to be more active in their communication and defense of their faith.

Marquis Brookins felt the call of God to ministry around age 13. His family moved to Cape Girardeau to work in the Cape Girardeau School District. Marquis church-hopped until he ended up at the Salvation Army because he was dating the pastor's daughter, Twyla.

Twlya received her calling much sooner. Her parents, Majs. Robert and Joyce Gauthier, serve in the Salvation Army and knew she would be working in ministry.

Fulfilling the great commission

Glenn McClatchey rang the Salvation Army bell Nov. 19, 2007, at the West Park Mall’s main entrance. (Southeast Missourian file)

The Brookinses have two children ages 2 and 4. Having children in ministry has helped them realize life is awkward, funny and people respond to love better than anything else.

They chose the Salvation Army because they believe the organization fulfills the great commission of Christ, to go and make disciples, better than any organization they have encountered.

"The Salvation Army is a united body of believers in over 100 countries. The core values and doctrine are the same. Regardless of where we are, we aim to meet people's basic physical, emotional and spiritual needs," Brookins said.

The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth in London. In the late 1800s, Booth took his message out of the pulpit to the people who were homeless, poor and destitute. The Salvation Army came to America in 1879 and has spread to 124 countries.

The Brookinses were invited to speak at the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army's annual dinner this past fall. They described their experiences working with the Salvation Army in lay ministry, as seminary students and as commissioned officers.

Brookins said, "We have the wonderful privilege of engaging in ministry right in our backyard. We can step in and help fix what's wrong with a neighborhood."

The Brookinses will be finishing bachelor's degrees in ministry from Olivet Nazarene University and are ready for what God has for them.

"We have to trust God in parting the waters or mending broken families and step into his commission with boldness," Brookins said.

For more information on the Salvation Army, go to www.stlsalvationarmy.org.