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For retired Salvation Army Commissioner James Condon, coming to understand his earthly father was part of a journey of faith, forgiveness and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of God as loving Father. 

For many years, every time James visited his father's grave, he would weep. Not just for the loss of his dad, but for the conversations they never had and the deeper connection he had always longed for. 

It wasn’t until a friend — who was also a counsellor — suggested he visit the grave and pour his heart out to his dad.  

That’s when healing truly began. 

James is a devoted father to two daughters and grandfather to four grandchildren. The man who longed for a deeper relationship with his own father has spent his life mentoring, encouraging and nurturing others through his work with The Salvation Army and wider community. 

The conversations never had 

Growing up in Nowra on the New South Wales south coast, James describes his father as a hardworking but emotionally distant man who left home before dawn each morning to work as a milk inspector. 

His father was Roman Catholic and his mother Presbyterian — a marriage that, at that time, was frowned upon by many. 

"My dad would finish work, go to the local pub, have his beers, and by the time he got home, his dinner was in the oven," James recalls. "He'd eat and go to bed." 

"We never really connected," he says. "We never had any in-depth conversations." 

Home life brought other challenges as well. 

James says he grew up hearing that he was ‘no good’ and would ‘never be any good’ from his mother, who could be extremely harsh in her discipline. 

Discovering God as Father 

As a teenager, James drifted away from church. 

"Those years away from God and the church were very difficult years," he says. "I contemplated suicide. I didn't see myself as a person of value and worth."  

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Everything changed when he attended a youth rally organised by local churches at a Salvation Army corps (church). It was the first time he had heard of The Salvation Army. 

That night, a young woman stood and shared how God had transformed her life. 

"I remember saying to myself, 'I want what she's got,'" James says. 

After surrendering his life to Jesus, James' life changed in many ways, but he continued to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy — something that slowly changed as his faith matured. 

"I absolutely now see God as my Father," he says. "But it's been a journey." 

Believing in good for his family 

Along the way, James married Jan, who became not only his wife but a faithful partner in life and ministry. 

"Jan's been absolutely marvellous," James says. 

Together, they have shared more than five decades of marriage, raised two daughters, welcomed four grandchildren and served in ministry across Australia and overseas. 

Looking back, James sees that busyness at times kept him from being the father he wanted to be. Yet today, he treasures the close relationships he enjoys with his family. 

"I've got a great relationship with my daughters, my grandchildren, absolutely," he says. 

And some of his favourite memories are the simplest ones. 

"I’ve had the joy, among many things, of teaching each of our grandchildren to fish,” he says with a smile.  

Moments of grace and reconciliation 

Despite the distance he felt from his father, there were moments James treasured. 

One came on his wedding day. 

During the reception, his father stood to give a speech and, as part of it, said, "I'm proud of James." 

Simple words, but some of the only words of affirmation he heard from his dad. 

More than 50 years later, the memory still moves him. 

Years later, another moment would stay with him. 

James was leading a Salvation Army event in Brisbane when he received a call from his mother. His father was in intensive care and asking for him. He felt a deep sense of God’s reassurance that he would see his father before he passed. 

When he arrived at the hospital, James walked quietly to his father's bedside. 

"I walked over to the bed and he just burst into tears," James recalls. His dad’s emotions showed a love his words couldn’t. 

In the days that followed, another piece of the story emerged. A friend who had shared the hospital room told James that shortly before his death, his father had asked a simple question. 

"Do you think there's a place in heaven for me?" 

At the funeral, James was invited to read the Scripture — "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." 

"When I was reading that, I felt God say, 'That's your father'," James says. 

Understanding his parents' story 

As the years passed, James began to understand more about his parents' lives. 

A relative revealed that his father had effectively been ostracised by his large family when he married. 

"I thought about the impact that would have had on Dad," he says. 

Later, his mother also shared many things she had never spoken about before. 

"I absolutely honour my father and mother because I know they gave their best and did what they could, despite their own story, their own circumstances and their own needs in life," James shares. 

A father to many 

James and Jan poured their lives into others as they served God through The Salvation Army. 

During their years leading The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea, they opened their home to young leaders for Bible study, mentoring and fellowship. 

Over time, the relationships became something more than mentoring. 

"After a while, they started to call us Mum and Dad," James smiles. "We have two daughters, but many sons." 

The same heart can be seen every Tuesday evening at Just Men, a men's mentoring and support group at Caloundra Salvos that James started and continues to lead. 

For James, one of the most rewarding aspects of the ministry is seeing men discover God as their friend and as Father. 

'Well done, son' 

Earlier this year, while attending an interdenominational faith event, a young man he had never met prayed for James and shared what he believed God wanted to say to him. 

The words were simple. 

"Well done, son." 

"There were no more powerful words that could have been spoken to me," James says. "That penetrated my heart." 

Today, James speaks often of gratitude — for faith, the power of love and forgiveness, Jan, his daughters and grandchildren, the many people he has been privileged to walk alongside, his parents, and the God he has come to know as Father. 

Looking back on the life he and Jan and family have shared, he smiles again. 

"We've had the most wonderful, blessed adventure with God," he says. 

"And it's not over yet." 

Commissioner James Condon served as a Salvation Army officer for more than 50 years, including as Commissioner (leader) of the former Australia Eastern Territory. Since retiring in 2016, he has remained highly active in ministry through The Salvation Army and the wider Christian community. He currently serves as chairman of Australia Prays, an interdenominational prayer movement that brings together Christians from across Australia, while also continuing to mentor and encourage people in their faith journey.