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The Assembly of God Church in which I was the Youth Pastor in Wellington, Ohio, was asked by the Salvation Army to support with manpower a new service unit in our small town. My brother, Joel, who was the Senior pastor at that time agreed. A few years later, I had become the Senior Pastor, my brother moving on to higher education. The Salvation Army service unit in our town asked me to join their board. Although hesitant, a small voice told me to join. So I did.
As part of the service unit board, I was exposed to the various ministries of The Salvation Army in Cleveland, Ohio. When my eyes fell upon this unique looking vehicle, the canteen truck, (a mobile feeding unit), a vision was birthed in my heart. Our Assembly of God church started joining The Salvation Army in street ministry with the canteen. Over the next few years, I did a lot of volunteer work with the Army. My heart strings were being pulled toward the Army.
While I ventured out in ministry with the Salvation Army, I fell in love with the mission of the Army. I saw how The Salvation Army gave me avenues of ministry that were not available through other churches and organizations. Many Salvation Army Officers that I became acquainted with kept encouraging me that I belonged with the Army. When a job opportunity came my way to work with The Salvation Army, I jumped at it.
I have had the pleasure of seeing many broken lives repaired through the love of Christ expressed through The Salvation Army. I have seen lives come through the ARC program and watched them delivered from addictions and sinful lives. I have had the great experience of pulling the homeless out from the woods and watching them become productive citizens once again.
One story that always stands out in my mind is the story of a homeless man and a homeless woman who both were living in the woods separately. Through our ministry, they were delivered from alcohol addiction, homelessness and hopelessness. They are both now employed, she has received a college education, they are both involved in ministry, and I had the pleasure of performing their wedding.
Through The Salvation Army I have been able to experience various types of ministry, such as street outreach, disaster relief, Adult Rehabilitation and children's ministry. I have been afforded the opportunity to travel to various places and meet many new faces. I have found that the Army is welcomed everywhere because of our great reputation and ministry. My reward has been all the experiences I have encountered due to my working with The Salvation Army.
Tags: Faces of The Army