Major Ian Kilgour was nurtured in a traditional Presbyterian home and Church, in Remuera, Auckland. Educated at Auckland Grammar he joined the Salvation Army in his late teens becoming an Officer in the Salvation Army (Minister) and was ordained in 1970 along with his wife. His wife was brought up in the care the Salvation from aged 3 years. Part of Ian’s preparation for ministry was to live as a destitute on the streets of Sydney. 

During his ministry, he served as a Parish Minister, Industrial, Hospital, Prison and Court Chaplain. Ian helped pioneer community and youth employment programmes which went nationwide, leading him to become an advisor with the Government in Youth Unemployment, Community Development and Emergency Housing. 

He had 10 years with the Auckland Methodist Mission as Funding, Communications & Public Relationships Manager and subsequently became their Inner-City Ministry Chaplain. Re-joining the Salvation Army, he served as the Manager of the Salvation Army Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit to retirement. He has been an active member of Rotary in the various towns and cities in which he served. Chair of numerous Housing, Community and School Trust Boards he was chair of the Auckland Regional UNICEF Committee and remains active in social justice issues.  In retirement he attends the St Heliers Presbyterian Church & Community Centre. He loves his family, music and reads widely in the area of contemporary theology and reimagining Christianity for today’s world.

Ian and Shirley, have four adult children and nine grandchildren