Women on a Mission
Commissioner Janine Donaldson made history in our territory when she took up leadership of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory as the territorial commander in January. It will be another historic moment when Colonel Jennifer Groves joins her as the new chief secretary on 1 November. Never has the territory been led by two women. Both are called by God—courageous, clever, compassionate, capable and committed to giving their all to this latest leadership challenge.
Janine and Jennifer speak, share and laugh easily as they anticipate leading together. It’s not the first time their paths have crossed—first at Booth College of Mission twenty years ago, and again at International Headquarters during their respective years of overseas service. When asked to introduce Jennifer to the territory, Janine is well prepared and her answer flows freely.
‘Jennifer has always been grounded in faith and committed to the mission, but now I see a deeper authority in her leadership.
Jennifer doesn’t just show up, she brings wisdom and carries it with grace. She’s not afraid to challenge the status quo when it means protecting what matters most. She’s also a strategist and a big-picture person and I love her attention to detail,’ Janine says with a laugh, ‘because it’s the complete and utter opposite to me—which is very reassuring!’
Janine adds that Jennifer encourages and challenges her in ways that go beyond the job itself. ‘When we’re tackling tough issues, she’ll remind me to lead with integrity and lean into prayer. We go way back, so there’s a strong trust component between us.’
In the hand of God
Jennifer has been serving the frontline mission as an area officer in Wellington for the past year. Like Janine, she believes they will make a great team, complementing each other’s leadership styles well.
‘I’ve always known Janine to be a strong leader who is not afraid to express her opinion or concerns, or to speak up for others whose voices are not being heard,’ says Jennifer. ‘With the experience she’s had of international service, Janine’s wisdom has been further honed and has shaped who she is today. I value her commitment to making the right decision—Janine doesn’t make hasty decisions; she takes the time that she needs to process things so that the decisions are well-formed and considered. And she loves hanging out with young people—age is not a barrier for Janine. She has a really loving and caring heart and is fun to be around! It’s going to be great working together again.’
While Jennifer’s admiration for Janine runs deep, it’s the life and leadership of Mother Teresa that she admires most.
‘She was not only deeply committed to God and her calling, but she never deviated from what she knew as truth. She had an equally deep compassion for the poor and the marginalised and dedicated her whole life to making a difference for them.’
Jennifer says there are two quotes from Mother Teresa that have left an imprint on her life. The first is: ‘Everything we do is a drop in the ocean, but if we don’t do it that drop will be missing forever’. The second is: ‘I am a pencil in the hand of God, and it is He who writes’.
‘These words have had a significant impact on me because I don’t want to miss the opportunity to be that drop in the ocean. If I don’t step in when God asks me to, that drop could be missing forever—and that drop could make a significant difference for someone. To be a pencil in God’s hand is to remember that it must be God who directs my life and not me telling God what He should agree with.’
It’s this opportunity to serve God and make a difference in the lives of others that gets Jennifer out of bed each morning.
‘Whether that be through a word of encouragement, an email or, actually, someone giving me a word of challenge. There’s always something that God can use me to do during each day, so I look forward to discovering that moment,’ she explains.
Equal share
Both Jennifer and Janine are unapologetic about the task of leading in a society that is still dominated by male leadership, and offer some helpful reflections from their lived experience as leaders in The Salvation Army around the world.
‘Men can sometimes be accepted as leaders more readily than women, which means that sometimes women have to work harder at proving themselves in order to be accepted in a male-dominated context,’ observes Jennifer.
‘As women in leadership, we’re often navigating a landscape where our authority is questioned more frequently, our confidence can be mistaken for arrogance, and our decisions are scrutinised through a different lens. We’re constantly proving that we belong in rooms where male leadership is still seen as the default,’ explains Janine. ‘But I don’t believe leadership has a gender.
‘So for men, that means noticing the subtle biases they carry, amplifying women’s voices and challenging the norms that make leadership harder for women to claim and sustain. We don’t want special treatment—we want equal footing. Supporting women in leadership isn’t just about encouragement but about actively dismantling the assumptions that make leadership unequal in the first place. When we see leadership not as masculine or feminine, but as human, that’s when change comes.’
Jennifer quotes early Salvation Army Orders and Regulations:
‘One of the leading principles on which the Army is based is the right of women to have the right to an equal share with men in the work of publishing salvation to the world. She may hold any position of authority within the Army, from that of a local officer to that of The General. Therefore, let it be understood that women are eligible for the highest commands. Indeed, no woman is to be kept back from any position of power or influence merely on account of her sex. Women must be treated as equal with men in all their intellectual and social relationships in life.’
Both women agree that sadly there have been times when this has been completely ignored, and they are quick to agree that leadership equality makes our Army—and indeed the world—better for all.
‘We believe God calls both women and men to lead, teach, preach and serve—not based on gender but on gifting, character and calling,’ explains Janine. ‘From the beginning, we know that God created male and female in His image and gave them shared responsibility to steward His creation. That equality doesn’t disappear in the church—it’s fulfilled within it. Male dominance entered the world because of sin, and we need to remember this root issue. Equality is not just a theological stance—it’s a justice issue, a discipleship issue and a kingdom issue.’
International service has taught Jennifer that when it comes to leadership, generalisations are unhelpful.
‘Uniqueness in leadership is actually found within the person rather than in their gender. While it could be said that women are more collaborative in their leadership style while men are more task-orientated and directive, it really depends on the individual. Leadership styles adapt and change over time and often reflect the specific leadership context.’
That said, Jennifer is convinced that there are some scientifically substantiated differences between men and women.
‘A point of difference is that women think differently to men, so that’s why I always ensure that I have male leaders speaking into my life—they help me see a different perspective. I’d like to believe that’s something that can happen equally in reverse. Men don’t need to feel insecure about having women in top leadership. We’re not a threat and their leadership does not lose its significance or even authority because they are not in charge. But they can enhance the overall leadership of the territory if they are willing to let it be that way.’
Cultural depth
Both women are passionate advocates for cultural diversity in leadership. Between them, Janine and Jennifer have served in Africa, Taiwan, Portugal, Canada, Australia and the UK—and are now charged with the leadership of our four nations.
‘Our territory also needs to be shaped by those who carry both spiritual authority and cultural depth,’ explains Janine. ‘When we disciple leaders who reflect the diversity of God’s creation, we build a movement that is more just, powerful and truer to the gospel. Our daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, family, friends and grandchildren need to see leadership that looks like them, speaks their language and honours their heritage. Sometimes we get it in our head that our culture or our background is a barrier to leadership. It’s not!’
Jennifer knows that her 20 years of international service shaped who she is today and how she leads. When she was preparing for her first international appointment to Portugal in 1994, Jennifer received a piece of advice from Lt-Colonel Moira Wright that has been an important rudder in her leadership journey.
‘Moira said to me, “Jennifer, God has given you two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion”. I took that to heart, so I listen—and listen some more—before I speak, mulling through what I’m hearing so I can enhance rather than frustrate that situation. When I do come to that point of speaking, it’s usually worth listening to!’
Jennifer is excited about what lies ahead for New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
‘The impact different cultures have had on my life and on my values brings richness to how I lead, which I believe will enhance and influence the ministry we all engage in together. I’m excited not just about what God’s going to do through me, but through us as a territory in this next season!’
