Lieutenant Ismael Ortiz, commanding officer at The Salvation Army Corps Community Center in Wilkes–Barre, Pa., talks about finding God in jail; a vehicle that started a ministry; and leadership skills that came from the streets, but thrived in the Church.
There is a room inside The Salvation Army’s church in Harrisburg, Pa., that could double as a set of a TV cooking program. But the cooking done is to educate the Harrisburg community on healthy cooking and better eating habits.
Captain Mike Buzzard, an officer at The Salvation Army Berwick, Pa., Corps, talks about working at Camp Allegheny, “Forced Creativity” during COVID–19, and integrating his love of professional wrestling with ministry.
The Mudokwan Martial Arts program at The Salvation Army in Springfield, Ohio, turns students into Taekwondo black belts, volunteers, and more.
“My first answer was, ‘Are you sure? You can donate anything you have to the Army’s thrift store,’” remembers Lieutenant Ivonne. “Walmart said that this time they wanted to donate new clothing directly to us..."
When storms and heavy rain fell upon South Africa in April 2022, The Salvation Army was quickly on the scene. The loss of life and homes damaged were far beyond what the young officers and employees of the territory could have imagined.
For Harold D’Souza, the opportunity to come to the United States from his home country of India was like being awarded a ticket to heaven. “In 2003, when I told my friends and family that I would be going to the U.S., they said I was going to swarg, or paradise. They called me God’s chosen,” says Harold.
Lieutenant Brian Perks, assistant pastor at The Salvation Army in Laconia, N.H., knows that ending the cycle of poverty involves more than just providing a meal and a space to sleep for a night. “You can’t just give a homeless person an apartment with a bed and say, ‘case closed.’ I have met people who received help and even a place to live, but were back on the streets in a few months,” Perks says.
In March of 2020, Erin Morgan was in Atlanta, Ga., to complete 100 hours of face–to–face training needed to become a certified yoga instructor. She had already finished the required 100 hours of online training. Now, she looked forward to bringing YogaFaith, a yoga practice that exclusively incorporates Bible scripture meditation, to The Salvation Army.
When you walk up to the doors of LJ’s Fitness in Womelsdorf, Pa., a sign that reads “Stronger, Healthier, Happier” welcomes you. There are similar inspirational quotes and verses on the gym walls. Workout machines are marked with QR codes that show you how to properly operate them. A Salvation Army red kettle, borrowed from the nearby church in Lebanon, is sometimes seen at the front desk where passersby deposit donations for victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Ida, which hit in 2021.
The Salvation Army Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory Headquarters
Serving communities in Connecticut, Delaware, Northeast Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
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