When I was growing up, my family was close friends with the McIntyre family. Bob and Mary were sweet Southerners, deeply committed to the Lord, through church and family. Bob was a successful educator, having founded a school early in the movement to develop special education for learning disabilities. Mary joined him in business and education endeavors. They raised two boys in the DC area where my family also lived.
Bob’s back story was surprising given his successes in adult life. He and a brother were born to an unwed mother. A sister carried a different last name. Bob lived with his maternal grandparents. During his young teen years, the ministry of the Salvation Army touched his life and Bob was saved! Salvation Army Officers took him in, and at age 16 he moved with them to another state where he graduated from high school at nineteen.
Bob’s faith in Jesus deepened. He took serious Bible training and pastored churches. Later he and his wife Mary attended Moody Bible Institute and then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wheaton College. Eventually they came to DC for educational administration opportunities and, as I mentioned, founded a prototype model for special education, The Oakwood School. He continued church and missionary work throughout his life.
I do not know the specific details of Bob’s salvation other than it was “through a meeting.” I doubt that Salvation Army bell ringers were present, but I am confident music must have been part of what drew him in – – he enjoyed music and was a good musician himself.
Bob’s faith testimony includes significant influences and spiritual impact on my life. The McIntyres gave me my first job in education: summer help at their daycare as a junior higher. (And thanks Mom for driving me back and forth for those weeks.) I followed them to Wheaton College, one of the most formative and meaningful experiences of my life. They gave me a place to stay temporarily when I got my first teaching job out of college, and I observed their beautiful Christian home and marriage. That’s legacy: God began His “good work” in His servant Bob through The Salvation Army. God’s work in him flourished until it was “carried to its completion” when Bob died of a stroke three years ago at the age of ninety-one. I pray that God’s salvation is at work in your life too. Philippians 1 v 6
Merry Christmas.
The Salvation Army Part 1: The Red Kettle Campaign
The “Red Kettle” campaign is back! Collecting money donations in a big pot started in 1891, initiated by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco. He needed money to fund a Christmas dinner he hoped to provide for “San Francisco’s many poor souls.” “Today, generous contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who would otherwise be forgotten.”
Bell ringing is a traditional feature of the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Paid and volunteer staff stand at the kettles ringing faithfully. Sometimes workers play musical instruments or recorded Christmas music. Once I saw a kettle volunteer entertain shoppers with animated dance steps as she rang; she was having fun! Another time we chatted with an older ringer named Charlie who asked for prayer for his own needs. Apparently, the Christmas song “Silver Bells” from the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” was inspired by the tradition of kettle bell ringers standing outside city department stores.
While in-person shopping is declining due to online purchases, and fewer businesses welcome Christian charities, I will be shopping about locally and be on the lookout for red kettles and keep an ear out for the bell ringers too! As the name implies, the Salvation Army is a movement focused on sharing “good news and love with … neighbors” and is dedicated to “soul-winning and compassionate service.” The pairing of practical support and spiritual counsel may be why they are “Doing the Most Good.” “Christ’s boundless love presses on our hearts, leaving us joyfully compelled to serve Him,” (a summary of 2 Corinthians 5 v 14, Biblehub.com)
Quotes are taken from Salvation Army literature, both online and direct mail sources, 2024 and 2025.
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