Promoted to Glory: Lieutenant Jason Houser
Lieutenant Jason Houser was unexpectedly Promoted to Glory on August 18, 2025, at the age of 41.
Lieutenant Jason was born on November 25, 1983, to parents Scott and Kathy Houser. He entered the Evangeline Booth College in 2022 as a member of the Defenders of Justice session of cadets. Commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army officer, his first and only appointment was as corps officer in Columbus, Mississippi. His active service as an officer was cut short much too soon, at only one year, two months, and 18 days.
Lieutenant Jason’s testimony is one of miracles and second chances. Boldly sharing his story at Commissioning 2024, he spoke about being brought up in the Anglican church and knowing all the right answers, but he said he was simply going through the motions. “The church was a job that shaped my week, not a faith that shaped my life.”
During the rest of his week, he became “the other Jason,” someone who lived life only for himself, not for God or for others. But in late November 2004, his life took a drastic turn.
While at work bartending, Jason suddenly dropped to the floor, instantly paralyzed. After four months of tests, doctors finally landed on a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder.
For the first time in his life, Jason began to wonder what would happen when he died. When a specialist informed him that there was less than a ten percent chance that he would walk again, he begged God to take him, rather than leave him to live the rest of his life in this way. “But some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers,” he declared.
In March 2019, after about a year in the hospital, Jason regained limited use of his hands. Having no insurance, he could no longer remain in the hospital and was sent to The Salvation Army homeless shelter in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, he attended Bible studies, answering all the questions with a bitter and mocking attitude. “I was convinced that God didn’t love or care about me,” he said.
His Bible knowledge and attitude caught the attention of Major Brett McElroy, the Birmingham 614 corps officer, who invited him to take soldiership classes. Jason said no to his request three times, but Major Brett never gave up on him. While sitting in silence in Major Brett’s office one day, God finally connected all of Jason’s head knowledge to his heart, and “after that, my life was forever changed.”
Through God’s grace, Jason’s body eventually made a full recovery from his paralysis, walking as a living testimony to God’s goodness and mercy.
In his candidate testimony before entering training in 2022, Jason said, “The Salvation Army saved my life, and now, with God’s help, I plan to serve Him through The Salvation Army for the rest of my life.” And he did so, faithfully representing Christ until his final breath.
His unique brand of humor and identifying laughter now graces the streets of Heaven. His testimony demonstrated the incredible love, grace, and mercy of God, as he shared the gospel weekly around the city of Columbus and environs.
Lieutenant Jason Houser is survived by his parents, as well as his siblings, Kyle, Kara, Katherine, and Jeffrey.