Retiring from 42 years of active duty and service to The Salvation Army in 2013, Majors Roger and Joy Ross were called again to “fill in,” right here in St. Johns County.
The Majors’ lives were forever changed when they were both employed as staff at The Salvation Army summer camp in Madrid, Iowa. The summer romance blossomed, and they were married in 1968.
Roger and Joy felt a distinct call to the ministry in The Salvation Army and entered The Salvation Army College for Officers Training in Chicago and were both ordained in 1971.
As ordained ministers, Roger and Joy have served as pastors and administrators for The Salvation Army in eight communities throughout the Midwest states.
The two have also served in a variety of management positions which included divisional youth work and divisional business/program administration.
In retirement, the two were employed at the West Coast Aids Foundation doing HIV counseling.
Roger was chosen as the executive director of the Citrus County Community Food Bank while Joy was employed by Catholic Charities.
They graduated from The Salvation Army College for Officers Training in 1971 as members of the Victorious Session, and later Roger attended the International College for Officers in London.
In addition, he holds a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral science from the National College of Education, and a master’s degree in ministry leadership from Cornerstone University. Joy also earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cornerstone University.
The couple has been married for 54 years and have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
When they are not serving the community, their hobbies include fishing, woodworking, landscaping, creating stained glass and genealogical research.
When asked what the goals were for St. Johns County, they stated, “Providing the local corps with the best quality leadership while striving to improve attendances, areas of service and making sure the community is understanding our programs and activities. Save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.”
