Podcast Summary: From Receiving Help to Leading the Mission: A Salvation Army Leader’s Journey

Podcast: RKD Group: Thinkers
Host: Nipa Eason (RKD Group)
Guest: Major Nursan Kiston, Divisional Commander, Intermountain Division, Salvation Army
Date: March 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Major Nursan Kiston, whose journey spans life under apartheid in South Africa, immigrating as a refugee to Australia, and ultimately leading an influential division of the Salvation Army in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of faith in action, the power of lived experience in leadership, nonprofit innovation, and the resilience required both on the frontlines of service and in one’s personal life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Crisis to Leadership: A Personal Salvation Army Story

• Background & Early Experience:
  • Major Kiston’s family fled apartheid South Africa for Australia, bringing firsthand experience of marginalization and seeking refuge.
  • Their first connection with the Salvation Army during a moment of crisis in Australia was pivotal:

    “It was standing on the street of Sydney one day and a lady walked past… said, do you know the Salvation Army can help you? That’s the first time… we heard the name Salvation Army.” (04:29 – Major Kiston)

  • The Salvation Army provided both practical help and a “Christianity with the sleeves rolled up” approach (06:07, 05:36).
• Influence on Leadership:
  • Moving from being a recipient to a leader deeply shaped Kiston’s approach and passion:

    “Understanding an organization that doesn’t discriminate… just loving you unconditionally… Absolutely, that is a motivator.” (05:36)

2. Faith, Action, and Humanity

• Faith in Action:
  • The importance of practicing faith beyond words – “faith in action” – is woven throughout the Army’s mission (06:07).
• Universal Humanity:
  • Emphasis on empathy and the need to look beyond labels:

    “Just because someone is down on their luck… it doesn’t mean they’re less than… it just means life’s journey has taken them down a path that has created some challenges.” (07:07)

  • Destigmatizing societal views on refugees and the marginalized, noting even Jesus was a refugee (09:53).
• Chief Reminding Officers:
  • An insistence on reminding society of shared humanity, regardless of background:

    “We all need to be chief reminding officers… because under our skin, we all believe the same.” (00:39, 13:06)

3. The Role of Political Science and Critical Thinking in Leadership

• Academic Roots:
  • Joint background in political science and psychology influences his lens on community systems and individual struggle (15:05).
  • Emphasis on critical thinking as vital for today’s leaders:

    “Our world is not short on information… the challenge is how to distill what is actually true and what isn’t…” (17:35)

• Caution on Superficiality:
  • Concern regarding superficial digital information and the need for deep, critical engagement (18:47).

4. Modern Communication and Nonprofit Innovation

• Telling the Story and Embracing Change:
  • The necessity for proactive storytelling and leveraging evolving media landscapes:

    “The more we tell our story, the better awareness people have.” (19:29)

  • Acknowledgment that organizations are often slow to pivot from successful but outdated tactics:

    “The greatest challenge to success in this new era is staying bound to practices… of the past.” (21:54)

• Embracing AI and Digital Platforms:
  • The nonprofit sector must leapfrog older digital strategies and embrace AI (24:38).
  • Resources often remain focused on the boomer generation despite the evident need to engage younger donors and new communication habits (22:19).

5. Motivation and Resilience: Running as a Metaphor for Life and Leadership

• Daily Routine & Balance:
  • Anchoring each day with faith, running, strategic work, and family ensures focus amid unpredictable challenges (26:07).
• Running & Endurance:
  • Lessons from marathoning translate to resilience in nonprofit work:

    “You got to run slow to run fast… Consistency, consistency, consistency.” (27:51) “Endurance runners… push through when it gets difficult… builds resilience.” (28:44)

• Encouragement to Act:
  • Urging not to wait for “perfect conditions”:

    “When you’re looking for perfect conditions, you’ll never stop looking… Even the hard days, make them count.” (30:54)

6. Perspective in Difficult Times

• A Judge’s Wisdom:
  • A federal judge friend reminds Kiston (and listeners) that every era faces crisis; all times pass, and optimism is essential:

    “Be optimistic. Be courageous. Be true to who you are. The times, they never last forever. They’re only just seasons that we walk through.” (32:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Practical Faith:

  “Yeah, is what Christianity with the sleeves rolled up looks like. It was practical love.” – Major Kiston (06:07)

• On Humanity:

  “We all need to be chief reminding officers and remind people of who we are because under our skin, we all believe the same.” – Major Kiston (13:06)

• On Critical Thinking:

  “Our world is not short on information… the challenge is how to distill what is actually true and what isn’t true.” – Major Kiston (17:35)

• On Organizational Change:

  “The greatest challenge to success in this new era… is staying bound to practices… that have the potential to undermine us finding new success in a new era.” – Major Kiston (21:54)

• On Consistency and Resilience:

  “Endurance runners… push through when it gets difficult… that builds resilience.” – Major Kiston (28:44)

• On Living Fully (Muhammad Ali):

  “I’m not going to count the days, but I’m going to make the days count. And that is all about life.”
  – Major Kiston (31:32)

• On Hope and Seasons:

  “The times, they never last forever. They’re only just seasons that we walk through.” – Major Kiston (32:39)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Major Kiston’s early intersections with the Salvation Army; “Christianity with the sleeves rolled up”
• 01:49 – Background: Growing up in apartheid South Africa, immigration to Australia, activism, and family struggles
• 04:29 – First encounter with the Salvation Army in crisis
• 05:36 – How lived experience motivates current leadership
• 07:07 – Why destigmatizing and compassionate response matters
• 09:53 – Universal dignity: reflections on refugees and Jesus’ example
• 15:05 – Political science, psychology, and the development of critical reasoning
• 19:29 – Communication, storytelling, and the power of influence in nonprofits
• 22:19 – Challenges reaching younger generations and adapting resource allocation
• 24:38 – The importance of moving beyond digital to embrace AI in nonprofit work
• 26:07 – Major Kiston’s daily routine and the role of discipline
• 27:51 – Advice for runners, consistency as key to endurance (life and leadership)
• 30:54 – Encouragement: “Don’t wait for the perfect time… Even the hard days, make them count.”
• 32:39 – Perspective on tough times: “These are just seasons.”

Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders

1. “Everyone matters.”
   All individuals, regardless of background or status, deserve dignity and compassion. We must actively remind ourselves and others of our shared humanity.

2. Embrace Change and New Communication Channels.
   Success in the past doesn’t guarantee the future; nonprofits must pivot boldly, embrace AI, and authentically tell their story where their current and future supporters are.

3. Consistency & Resilience Are Key.
   Whether running marathons or leading nonprofits, steady, intentional action—especially in adversity—creates the foundation for impact and personal growth.

For more: Connect with the podcast at connect@rkdgroup.com