A league of their own

WHO WE ARE | PROGRAMS

In 2020, Salvation Army pastor Major Monica Balmori met the members of the Women’s Ministries program at the Ohio City Corps in Cleveland via Zoom.

“Most of the members were seniors who had rarely used internet technology,” says Balmori. Through phone calls, she showed them how to set up Zoom on their devices. They were eager to learn, and even set up a prayer group through WhatsApp that continued to operate, even as the ministry returned to the church building after the pandemic.

Balmori says that the women, most of whom are Latinas who have known each other for decades, are always looking for new ways to keep their ministry going. They have a deep love for the church and put their personal touch on the Women’s Ministries work.

“For a Bible lesson assignment, each member researched a woman in the Bible, but only I knew who they were assigned,” says Balmori. “During their presentation, they would talk about their person and give hints about her life, and the others would try to guess who she was. Some women even dressed up as the person.” It felt more like a Sunday school than a traditional adult Bible lesson, but it resonated. Balmori says that now the women reference each other’s presentations while discussing the Word of God.

“They grew up thinking that to learn the Bible, they needed to memorize every word and verse,” says Balmori. Instead, she recommended that they see the Bible as a book of tales about people with whom they could all identify. “It has romance, adventure, horror, drama, heroes, and villains. When they approached the Bible as if it was a favorite TV show, they wanted to learn more.”

Women’s Ministries leaders also found new ways to share the Word of God. They set up tables and nail care supplies for a day spa and gave free manicures to the community. As they filed and painted nails, they prayed with the people and shared how God was present in their lives.

“In the summer, we go outside for prayer walks in the street, and when we return, we sing together in the parking lot,” says Balmori. “This is big for them. The corps is in a dangerous neighborhood. Our church windows have been hit by stray bullets.”

Because of this, Balmori wanted the women to have someone they could turn to if they ever needed help when she wasn’t around. That led to them baking cookies for workers of the local fire department, whose station is next to the corps. This was not only a kind gesture for the firefighters, who welcomed the women and posed in pictures with them, but it also allowed the ministry to become more familiar with the community.

“One night, someone drove a strange car into the corps parking lot, then did not move,” remembers Balmori. “The women who were leaving felt nervous, so they went to the fire station. They wanted someone to approach the car and ask the driver to leave. One of the firefighters they had met was happy to help them.”

Salvation Army Women’s Ministries, originally called Ladies Home League, was founded for women to help one another, develop skills, and provide a connection for prayer and service. Spa days, prayer walks, and dress–up Bible lessons have influenced the women of the Cleveland Ohio City Corps by strengthening their faith in God, and each other.

“I was taught that we should always try to do what we can with what we have and who we have,” says Balmori. “That’s how we make our Women’s Ministries succeed.”

by HUGO BRAVO

Bible verses about friendship and bonding

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

—1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

—1 Peter 4:8–10 (ESV)

The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host.

—Psalm 68:11 (NASB1995)

Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

—Romans 12:10 (NRSVA)

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

—Ecclesiastes 4:9–10