Rob Pace, NAB
It was my great honor to serve as the Chairman of the National Advisory Board (NAB) of The Salvation Army in America. A major focus of the NAB during my tenure was on the development of a long-range strategic plan. As I met with the Army’s advisory boards and officer personnel in Divisions around the country, I was struck by how many of you are also undertaking or contemplating a similar exercise. It is critical for any Salvation Army entity that desires to undertake a strategic plan to have strong alignment with their respective counter-part within the Army. Change is hard. This is particularly true at any organization as established and successful as The Salvation Army. I would never recommend undertaking a strategic planning process if Army leadership is not equally committed and driving it. Prayer is vital. I am convinced that God has anointed The Salvation Army due to our passion to serve the marginalized and to proclaim his Gospel. At certain junctures in our process, I feared that frustrations and obstacles might derail our whole process and be a major setback to our organization for years to come. At key times, I definitely felt God’s direct hand over the process. Be faithful. He will provide!