From receiving help to leading the mission: A Salvation Army leader’s journey

Major Nesan Kistan’s story begins in apartheid-era South Africa, where he grew up witnessing the injustices of a system that separated people by race and opportunity. His family eventually left the country for a better future and rebuilt their lives in Australia. During a period of financial hardship shortly after arriving, they encountered The Salvation Army for the first time—an experience that left a lasting impression. What they received was more than assistance. They were met with practical compassion and unconditional acceptance. That moment, and another later crisis where The Salvation Army again stepped in to support his family, helped shape the path that would eventually lead Major Kistan into Salvation Army leadership himself. Today, he’s Divisional Commander of the Intermountain Division. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Major Kistan shares how his upbringing shaped his worldview, how organizations like The Salvation Army must evolve their communications strategies in a rapidly changing media environment and why resilience, discipline and compassion remain essential for leaders today.