Kaitlyn Horner is a 31-year-old wife and mother. She has been on the Echelon Leadership Council (ELC) since 2019 and currently holds the position of Strategic Initiatives Chair. She helps make strategic decisions for ELC and is the lead planner for the Echelon Leaders Symposium that occurs every two years. As a former marketing manager with a degree in Business Management, she loves collecting all the small pieces and putting them together in a streamlined strategy. Kaitlyn also has a passion for people and meeting their needs.

01. How did you first become involved with The Salvation Army? 

The founding president of Echelon Greenville, SC recruited me to be on the founding board. Before that, I only knew of The Salvation Army as the bell ringers at Christmas.

02. What is your favorite event or program in The Salvation Army? 

I’m partial to the Echelon Leaders Symposium because we educate, equip and engage Echelon leaders to grow their chapters. However, another Salvation Army event I love is Angel Tree. It brings me so much joy to buy Christmas gifts for children in need and to know we are bringing light and love to them.

03. Who inspires you and why?

Honestly, The Salvation Army as an organization inspires me. What greater purpose is there than to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination? It’s what Jesus did and what we should do, too. It reminds me that life is so much bigger than me.

04. Do you have any hobbies?

Does Echelon count as a hobby? But for real, I would say reading mystery books, watching all things Star Wars/Marvel, hiking and photography.

05. How do you spend time connecting with God?

Singing along to praise and worship music is when I feel most connected to God. Moments of reading or listening to His Word/devotionals squeezed in between or during motherhood are cherished as well.

06. How does your faith influence your work and/or your everyday life?

My faith gives me a foundation and a purpose I wouldn’t otherwise have. It’s so easy to get distracted by the chaos and darkness of this world, but God has already won the battle! If I keep this in mind, which is easier said than done, then problems and stresses seem less big and scary. I choose hope even when I don’t feel it in a given moment. I can hand over my cares to the Lord and know He has them.

07. What is your favorite Scripture verse and why?

Romans 15:13—“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” This verse reminds me that God is hope, joy and peace and by His Holy Spirit He provides those things to me.

08. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Professionally, I would say successfully planning the first two Echelon Leaders Symposiums. We held the second one this past October in 2023, and it was even better than the first.

09. What are your hopes/goals for the future?

Spiritually, I would love to continue to deepen my relationship with the Lord and inspire others to do the same. Professionally, I hope to continue to serve The Salvation Army in whatever capacity they need for as long as I can. Personally, my husband and I desire to grow our family.

10. What has been one of your biggest joys in following  Jesus so far?

Getting to serve people in His name. Helping those in need gives you a certain joy that is hard to find elsewhere.