Ian Southwell was a university-trained science teacher before training as an officer (minister) in The Salvation Army. Commissioned and ordained with his wife, Sonja, in 1969, they served in corps (church) leadership, school education, youth work, literary, international administrative and leader development roles. Areas of ministry have included Zambia, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong and China, and in 19 other countries while based in the UK as well as Ian's homeland of Australia. Now retired from active (itinerant) service, he is involved in pastoral, inter-church, literary and other ministries on behalf of The Salvation Army in Melbourne, Australia.