NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE After nine years of service with the Salvation Army in Medicine Hat, which included overseeing the Thrift Store, Recourse Centre and homeless shelter, Maj. Murray Jaster retires today.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
After nine years of ministry with the Salvation Army in Medicine Hat, Maj. Murray Jaster is retiring.
“It’s been a journey,” said Jaster, whose last day on the job is today.
It all started 32 years ago at college in Toronto. He moved around after that, starting out in Lloydminster then Medicine Hat, Prince Albert, Grande Cache, Edmonton and finally back to Medicine Hat again.
His time with the Salvation Army can be summed up as mission work.
“We’re like home-grown missionaries. It’s all about community,” he said.
Part of that is recognizing the needs of people and addressing them. There is the hot meal program served every afternoon downtown to those in need, operating the Thrift Store and the Resource Centre that provides for emergency needs and serves refreshments all day long.
“It’s a place of safety and respite for lonely people and those who feel alone. It’s become a place of connection,” said Jaster.
Having gotten to know many people over the years, Jaster says everyone has a story. They have started life like most of us and then been raised in a different environment, being exposed to many things, perhaps made some bad decisions and this has all contributed to where they find themselves today.
“They get into a rut and can’t get out,” said Jaster.
In fact Jaster sees his involvement in this work as one of the highlights of his ministry in Medicine Hat.
He was so impressed by their plight that he wrote a song about the homeless in 2009. In 2010 it was nominated for a Covenant Award for Christian music. The song talks about the face of God being beneath their weathered faces and that we should not judge too harshly.
“They are not beyond help. Our task is to provide hope for them and dignity. They don’t even feel worthy,” said Jaster.
He strongly believes they need to be incorporated into the community because they are already in here and are not going to simply go away.
The homeless shelter locally is operated by the Salvation Army and Jaster has been overseeing that, too.
Big strides have been made in addressing the needs of the homeless with many people housed, but there will always be a need for a shelter here, he explained.
Jaster’s passion is music and he wants to expand on that in retirement.
He’s retiring but not leaving Medicine Hat. Two sons live locally and there are grandchildren here, too. He will continue making music and performing with a band.
“It blesses me and I hope it blesses others,” said Jaster.
He will also still officiate at weddings and funerals as required.
There is currently nobody to replace Jaster at the Salvation Army church but there are two senior members of staff he has confidence in to handle the work.
