Territorial Commander

Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves

Commissioner Lee Graves was born and raised in St. Thomas, Ont. He entered the College for Officer Training in 1981 and was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer in 1983. From Hamilton, Ont., Commissioner Debbie Graves was ordained and commissioned in 1984 and they were married.

Lee and Debbie served together across the Canada and Bermuda Territory, including in corps appointments in Paris, Toronto, Newmarket and Kitchener, Ont., as divisional youth leaders in the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Division, and at divisional headquarters in the Alberta and Northern Territories Division. Additionally, Lee served at divisional headquarters in the Ontario Central-East Division.

Lee completed a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Cape Breton, N.S., in 2006, which was preceded the year before by a certificate of business administration from Lakeland College, Alta. Debbie holds a bachelor of arts degree in biblical and theological studies, and a certificate in applied leadership as well as a certificate in chaplaincy and spiritual care from Booth University College in Winnipeg.

Prior to taking up his appointment as the territorial commander in the Canada and Bermuda Territory in September 2023, Lee served as the international secretary for business administration at International Headquarters in London, England. Prior to that, he was chief secretary in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, an appointment he previously held in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Earlier appointments included as territorial secretary for business administration in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, divisional commander in the Ontario Great Lakes Division and area commander in the Ontario Central-East Division—Eastern Region.

Before becoming territorial president of women’s ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory in September 2023, Debbie served at International Headquarters as the IHQ chaplain and City of London liaison officer. Prior appointments included as the territorial secretary for leader development in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, territorial integrated mission secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, divisional director of women’s ministries in the Ontario Great Lakes Division and executive director of the Ottawa Bethany Hope Centre.

Lee and Debbie have four children and 11 grandchildren.

For media interviews, speaking engagements and other appearances, please contact Major Lorraine Hart at lorraine.hart@salvationarmy.ca

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.