Behind the Shield: Lieutenant Patricia Williams, Officer
Lieutenant Patricia Williams was commissioned as an officer for The Salvation Army on June 14, 2015. She is currently located at the Milwaukee Citadel Corps in Milwaukee as the Corps Officer. In her role, she leads worship, teaches bible study, hosts and runs Youth Night and Home League (bible study for seniors) and whatever paperwork/office work may need to be done. At Citadel Lt. Patricia hosts basketball leagues for younger children every week as well. Learn more about Lt. Patricia below.
Q. How did you first learn about The Salvation Army?
A. I learned about The Salvation Army thru my brother Captain LeOtis Brooks. He went through the Kansas City Missouri ‘Adult Rehabilitation Center’ for alcoholism. The Army restored him, reconciled his family and he became an officer June 14, 2009.
Q. What made you want to become an Officer?
A. The Salvation Army was there for me through a very trivial time in my life. My ex-husband of twelve years also went through the Kansas City ARC yet he had a different outcome. He relapsed into his crack cocaine addiction. He became very abusive and I was deep in debt. The Salvation Army gave me a second job at the Kansas City Bellefontaine Corps Community Center to help with my outstanding debt. I quickly became involved in the Corps ministry. The love they showed me during my difficult time of life was overwhelming. One thing lead to another and I eventually accepted the call for officership at a candidates retreat weekend in Chicago Illinois in November 2012.
Q. What is your favorite part about being an officer at TSA?
A. My favorite part of being an officer is restoring and reconciling hopeless lost people back to Christ.
Q. What has been your favorite experience with TSA?
A. My favorite experience with the Army was seeing a mother come through our rehab center in Romulus Michigan regain custody of her children and continue to live a life free of addiction.
Q. What is one thing you believe the world should know about TSA?
A. The one thing I wish the world should know about the Army is that we welcome anyone into our kingdom no matter your past and we will help you get a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Q. What are three words you'd use to describe TSA?
A. Hope, love and acceptance.
Q. Is there anything you'd like to add?
A. I thank God for the Army changing my life. I don’t know where I would be if the Army would not have loved me through my circumstances.
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