Ministry Highlights
CAPTAINS VILMA RAMOS & RICAURTE VELASQUEZ
What has surprised us the most?
After serving at various appointments in the Quebec Division – Montreal Citadel, Light of Hope Family Church, Eglise Comunataire de Sherbrook – Ricaurte and Vilma felt compelled to respond to the call to serve internationally. They arrived in Costa Rica on July 1, 2024 to begin their new ministry as Corps Officers of the Liberia Corps.
What has been the greatest joy in moving to Costa Rica?
Being able to serve a community with great needs, who is suffering many challenges, but it is vibrant and joyful. They have embraced us and made us feel at home.
Despise the need, they give and serve with passion. They participate in all activities and programs our corps is running.
What is our greatest hope for our term in international service?
To lead this corps to become financially stable to continue serving the community
Picture 1: Ricaurte and Vilma in Costa Rica.
Picture 2: Ricaurte handing out needed help.
Picture 3: Vilma with Home League group.
LT.-COLONEL SANDRA STOKES
Just over four months ago Sandra moved to the UK to begin her new ministry as Assistant Chief Secretary (Administration) IHQ. We asked her what were the ministry highlights thus far and her prayer requests:
Ministry Highlights:
• Learning and gaining a better understanding of the global SA
– it is deep and wide. Lives continue to be transformed.
• The intentional focus on prayer here at IHQ: department prayers, world-wide prayer meeting and Family prayers. Coming together to worship and to pray for brothers & sisters in other parts of the world
Prayer Requests:
• A Fully surrendered heart
• “Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew that I may love what Thou dost love – and do what Thou wouldst do”
• Health & Family
LT.-COLONELS GRANT AND LAUREN EFFER
Grant and Lauren are currently serving at International Headquarters, Grant as the Chief International Auditor and Lauren as the IHQ Chaplain and City of London Liaison Officer.
Grant and Lauren thank you for the prayers that you have offered to the Lord on their behalf over the last 4 and ½ years in serving overseas both in the France and Belgium Territory as executive officers and now at IHQ in our respective ministries. As this time comes to an end, and we head home to Canada in 2025 for our homeland furlough before taking up our next appointment we ask for transition prayers.
We will miss our European/UK appointments, from Covid isolation to global travel and partnerships in ministry the Lord has opened doors of influence for his purposes that we couldn't have imagined.
Thank you also for your swift heartfelt and thoughtful messages and prayers of support during Grants stroke and recovery. We Praise the Lord for his healing and restoration. Neither of us will be the same, rather wiser, and stronger.
Transitions always embrace saying Goodbye and saying Hello.
Currently, we are both leaning into the last phases of our ministries before we say Goodbye, which are never without lots of remembering, tears, and hugs. We have so much to be thankful for, especially for many new and renewed friendships around the globe.
Saying Hello the first of February, will take us into Canada when we expect the snow will be on the ground and chilly days will abound. We ask for prayers during our homeland furlough and then in taking up our next appointments as we recognize much has changed in our Home and Native �������� and in our Salvation Army Territory. And of course, we are looking forward to being relatively closer to our precious extended family. We could not have served overseas without the constant and ever deepening love, respect, blessing and dialogues with our families.
Please pray that as we say Goodbye and Hello on so many fronts that we will find our new and healthy rhythms of life, love, and ministry.
Thanks again to everyone who has been praying, those who have let us know and those who have quietly and consistently been holding us before the throne in silence. We are deeply grateful for all.
Peace and love
Lauren & Grant
Thank You Notes
Here are further Thank You notes with glimpses into their ministry, from our international personnel upon receiving the TMF Easter Gifts:
With news received of the very generous gift from the Territorial Missionary Fellowship, and the timely Passion Week reflection from Major Pauline, we say a humble ‘thank you.’ Your words and practical gift of encouragement remind us in a very real way that we are not forgotten, by you, nor by God. In recent weeks, the Italy & Greece territory has faced several property and personnel challenges. We plead for God’s wisdom and love, for divine interruption of any plan that is not of him, for good to come from difficulty, and for fresh new beginnings from endings. This is the hope of Easter! Thank you for reminding us of this, just at the right time. We covet your prayerful support. Though separated by miles, oceans, language and culture, we look forward to celebrating with you the joyous resurrection of our Lord and Saviour this coming weekend. He is alive and brings hope and new life to every circumstance! We count on it! God bless you.
Andrew
& Darlene Morgan, Lt.-Colonels
Wow! What incredible generous gifts once again from the Territorial Missionary Fellowship, both at Christmas and now at Easter. I really do appreciate it. I have been using these to help with things like running to Rome to get a bit of a break while out of the territory. It has also helped with some expenses within Bangladesh. A big praise point - we had an incredible Officers Retreat in February with the almost 100 officers and cadets. We had a great time of sharing, worship, and learning. We heard some great testimonies from the officers and had some good discussions concerning the way forward for the Territory and how we will work together on our challenging areas. People left feeling refreshed and hopeful, for which I really thank the Lord. Thank you again for everyone’s support and
prayers. It really does make a difference to be connected back home in this way. I know it is the prayers of others that keep me going.
Elizabeth Nelson, Lt.-Colonel
Thank you for your email and greetings from home – always wonderful to hear from folk and to know we are remembered and prayed for. Greatly appreciated and valued. The generosity and kindness of the Fellowship has always been a blessing and as per our practice over the many years of our service this gift will be apply to ministry. Please be sure to convey our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Ian
& Wendy Swan, Colonels
Please accept our sincere thanks for this kindness and your expression of prayer. We are always grateful to hear from home.
Eddie & Genevera Vincent, Colonels
Thank you to everyone for your very generous Easter blessing. It was unexpected for me and very helpful as I was in early months of settling into Papua New Guinea. I was able to purchase some much-needed things for myself as well as buy chocolate and make dyed eggs and paper baskets to share with the local officers in the compound here. For most, it was the first dyed egg they’ve ever received, and the humidity caused the food colouring to stick to fingers as much as the egg while peeling to eat! Thanks for sharing your blessings so that I and others here in PNG can be blessed, too. I appreciate every single one of your prayers, too, and am thankful for all those in Canada supporting me to be in PNG! It’s truly a partnership, and one I don’t take for granted.
Alyshia Van Kannel
Prayer Requests
Major Brenda Allen - serving at IHQ as EQUIP Coordinator
☐ I celebrate how the Lord has provided a digital consultant who does an incredible ministry creating the online content and how engagement with the Equip platform continues to increase worldwide The Salvation Army International - Equip
☐ For the students (officers, leaders, soldiers, volunteers) who are engaging the learning – may they be committed to the journey and transformed through their learning, in support of Salvation Army mission.
☐ The development of systems to support worldwide learners, being attentive to their varying needs.
☐ Wisdom in how to support territories with internet challenges, fewer resources and needs for translation.
☐ Continued opportunities to share kingdom joy with those I meet
Major David Allen - serving at IHQ as Secretary for Leader Development.
☐ Fresh vision for the 53 Training Colleges & Training Programs around the world.
☐ A full perspective of educational needs and partnerships.
☐ On going leader development for officers around the world.
☐ Sharing the good news of the gospel when visiting
Prayers for family personal care:
☐ Connecting with our aging parents
☐ Park Running
☐ Cheering my team, the Toronto Maple Leafs from afar
Majors Colin & Maureen Bain - Corps Officers of Lurgan Corps in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.
☐ Our prayers are for our Corps who have managed well without officers for some time; for the post pandemic regathering; for the youth of the Corps; for the divided context of ministry; for our family; for the healing of the divided nation.
Lt April Barthau - serving as Territorial Development Officer & Social Justice Officer in the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory
☐ For me to intentionally carve out sacred space to continue to hear the Holy Spirit and discern the direction for God’s ministry within my appointment areas.
☐ For God’s precious creation to choose to turn to God, to live in peace, and to grow deeper in relationship with our Lord.
Lt Marco Herrera-Lopizic - serving as Territorial Director for Health Services & Associate Development Officer
☐ Prayer for different health projects around the country. Specifically, for Onamuga and Misapi rural hospitals that need housing for staff
☐ Prayer for health and safety personally and for the family
☐ Prayer for growth and development of local leadership for PNGSI Territory.
☐ Pray for provision of health and education services for officer around the country
Lt.-Colonel David Bowles - serving as the Corps Officers of the Berlin South-West Corps in the Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory.
☐ Personal Holiness
☐ Our Family (Kids, 4+4 & Grandkids, 5 ½); Leipzig GER, Manchester UK, Mayne Island BC
☐ Special healing prayers for Luke (son).
☐ Bringing unsaved into the Kingdom.
Lt.-Colonel Marsha-Jean Bowles - serving as the Corps Officers of the Berlin South-West Corps in the Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
☐ Healing for our son Luke; thanks to God for the Church family who are praying and supporting and for the positive change we are seeing; for our family as we each cope with his illness individually.
☐ Deepening relationships with new families attending family-oriented activities; that the unsaved will find the joy of salvation in Christ.
☐ As our congregation grows, the enemy (the devil) is trying to cause havoc. Pray for protection against his schemes Investing further in Leadership Development for Officers around the world.
Captains Chad & Lisa Cole - serving as Corps Officer at Brimbank Corps Officer, Brimbank Corps, Victoria Division, Australia Territory
☐ Continued good health and spiritual fortitude.
☐ God's guidance, direction, and vision for Brimbank in the years to come
Lt.-Colonels Brenda & Shawn Critch - serving in the Zambia Territory as Spiritual Life Development Secretary (Primary), Mission Support and Emergency Officer (Additional) (Brenda) and Secretary for Business Administrator (Shawn)
☐ Pray that in the early days of our transition to Zambia, we will have a smooth adjustment to the change in culture, work environment, climate, and home life.
☐ Pray that we will quickly build meaningful relationships with our Zambian colleagues and local Salvationists
☐ Pray for God's wisdom and direction as we understand and support the new strategic priorities for the Zambia Territory.
☐ Pray for personal health and safety.
Lt.-Colonels Grant & Lauren Effer - Chief International Auditor, IHQ and IHQ Chaplain & City of London Liaison Officer
PLEASE REFER TO THEIR PRAYER REQUESTS AND HIGHLIGHTS ON PAGE 3
Commissioner Susan McMillan - IHQ Head of Finance (UK Operations)
☐ Please remember the Finance Section at IHQ. We are about to commence our external audit and this will place a great deal of pressure on the Staff, in addition to their normal roles.
☐ We have experienced some illness and loss among the members of the Finance Section and their families; it would be lovely if they could be uplifted in prayer.☐ For my staff in the Finance Section of IHQ, that they will always know they are an integral part of the greater international mission of The Salvation Army.
☐ Pray that we will be able to support The Salvation Army’s work around the world by resourcing the territories – especially those that are working under very difficult financial situations.
☐ God is faithful, and I continue to trust He will make a way!
Lt.-Colonel Andrew Morgan - serving as Territorial Commander of the Italy & Greece Territory.
☐ Implementation of the territorial mission, vision and values
☐ The Lord's provision in the continued development of territorial communications, public relations and fundraising.
☐ Boldness in new mission initiatives.
Lt.-Colonel Darlene Morgan - serving as Territorial President of Women's Ministries & Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development of the Italy and Greece Territory.
☐ The Spirit’s guidance in the planning of territorial events.
☐ The Lord's provision in the continued development of territorial communications, public relations and fundraising.
☐ Boldness in new mission initiatives.
Major Wendy Mouland – Private Secretary to the Chief of the Staff, IHQ
☐ Spiritual enabling to adapt to a new ministry role, work environment, city, country, and way of life.
☐ God’s protection for family and friends in Canada.
☐ Transition to a new ministry role, new context, “new” culture.
☐ Continual growth and development in my relationship with God – keeping it real, healthy and strong.
Lt.-Colonel Elizabeth Nelson - serving as the Territorial Commander of the Bangladesh Territory
☐ For the spiritual and physical health of our officers and soldiers
☐ For the political stability of the country.
☐ For the financial health of the territory
☐ For more ‘hands’. There is much to do and not enough hands that have the capacity to get the work done
☐ For Commissioning and Ordination of our six cadets in December with the Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Shelley Hill
☐ For our Territorial Leaders Conference (Oct 15-17th) Wanting to discuss the global framework, Compass, recently launched, and working through our strategic plan for the next year
Captains Vilma Ramos and Ricaurte Velasquez – Corps Officers of the Liberia Corps (Costa Rica) in the Latin America North Territory
☐ For our wellbeing, health, strengths, and (2 children and 2 grands)
☐ For our congregation, it is a vibrant and faithful one, but lacking economic resources.
☐ For our financial situation, our corps and quarters need lots of repairs
Lt.-Colonel Sandra Stokes – Assistant Chief Secretary (Administration) – International Headquarters
☐ A fully surrendered heart.
☐ “Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew that I may love what Thou dost love – and do what Thou wouldst do”.
☐ Health and Family
Colonels Ian & Wendy Swan – Directors International Social Justice Commission
☐ Preparation is underway for the Commission on the Status of Women to review The Beijing Platform in March of 2025. Please pray that travel plans and visas for
the 20 delegates are timely.
☐ The General Assembly voted to adopt the Future Pact Agreement in September. Please pray for wisdom and discernment during discussions on implementation across the multilateral streams of work.
☐ October 17th is the International Day to promote Awareness and Action for the Eradication of Poverty. Please pray that everyone will think globally and act locally
Alyshia Van Kannel - Director of Schools (Early Education & Literacy) in the Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory.
☐ Praise God for the great passion and interest the children and youth of PNG have for Him. Pray that God would provide opportunities and people with the skills and love to nurture and disciple them
☐ Pray for me to have wisdom in supporting the various teachers, officers, and employees, especially in balancing things like culture, compassion, accountability, priorities, and growth. May I listen and follow as the Spirit leads.
☐ A heart that remains compassionate to the pain of others, while also keeping a resilient hope for transformation. Pray for all of those for whom the daily burdens are heavy, including the lack of education for children.
Colonel Eddie Vincent - serving as Chief Secretary, U.S. West Territory
☐ God’s wisdom and good health as we lead, minister, and travel over the coming months.
☐ Health concerns with mother who is living in Newfoundland.
☐ Gratitude for safe arrival of first grandchild.
Colonel Genevera Vincent – serving as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, U.S. West Territory
☐ Continued creativity and wisdom for my role as TSWM.
☐ Protection and strength for a busy time of travel.
☐ Continued prayers for my mom and dad as they deal with health issues.
International Personnel
Name Appointment Territory Mailing Address
ALLEN
ALLEN
Major Brenda Learning Pathways Coordinator International Headquarters 4 Tara Court 6 Court Downs Road Beckenham, BR3 6TG UNITED KINGDOM
Major David Secretary for Leader Development
BAIN
Majors Colin & Maureen Lurgan Corps, Northern Ireland Division
United Kingdom & Ireland Territory 14 Cherryhill Waringstown Craigavon Northern Ireland BT66 7UG UNITED KINGDOM
BARTHAU
Lieutenant April
HERRERALOPIZIC
Lieutenant Marco
With Haddy, Elijah & Caleb
BOWLES
Lt-Colonels David & Marsha-Jean
Territorial Development Officer & Social Justice Officer
Territorial Director for Health Services& Associate development Officer
Corps Officers – Berlin South-West Corps
Papua New Guinea With Solomon Islands Territory
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
Angau Drive, Boroko, PO 1323
Port Moresby, NCD PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Fregestrasse 13-14 12159
Berlin, GERMANY COLE
Captains Chad & Lisa
With Ginny & Connor
CRITCH
Lt-Colonel Brenda
CRITCH
Lt-Colonel Shawn
EFFER
Lt-Colonel Grant
EFFER
Lt-Colonel Lauren
MCMILLAN Commissioner Susan
MORGAN
Lt-Colonel Andrew
MORGAN
Lt-Colonel Darlene
Corps Officers –Brimbank Corps –Victoria Division Australia Territory
Spiritual Life Development Secretary (Primary), Mission Support and Emergency Officer (Additional)
Secretary for Business Administration
Chief International Auditor
IHQ Chaplain & City of London Liaison
IHQ Head of Finance (UK Operations)
ZambiaTerritory
15 Ondella Way Sydenham, VIC 3037 AUSTRALIA
Mark mail as "Private" P.O. Box 34352 Lusaka - 10101, Zambia
MOULAND
Major Wendy
Territorial Commander
Territorial President of Women’s Ministries & Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development
International Headquarters
International Headquarters
20 Manor Road West Wickham BR4 9PS UNITED KINGDOM
10 Silverwood Close Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1RN UNITED KINGDOM
Italy & Greece Territory
Private Secretary to the Chief of the Staff International Headquarters
Esercito della Salvezza Via degli Apuli, 41 00185 Roma, ITALY
9, St Pauls Court, 18, Brackley Road, Beckenham. BR3 1RA, UNITED KINGDOM
NELSON
Lt-Colonel
Elizabeth
RAMOS
Territorial Commander Bangladesh Territory
House 365/2, Lane 6 (West)
DOHS Baridhara Dhaka, 1206, Bangladesh
VELASQUEZ
Captain Vilma Corps Officers – Liberia Corps in Costa Ria Latin America North Territory
Captain Ricaurte
STOKES
Lt-Colonel Sandra
SWAN
Colonel Ian
SWAN
Colonel Wendy
VAN KANNEL
Alyshia
VINCENT
Assistant Chief Secretary (Administration)
International Social Justice Commission – Director
International Social Justice Commission - Director Chair of the International Moral & Social Issues Council
Director of Schools (Early Education & Literacy
Colonel Eddie Chief Secretary
VINCENT
Colonel Genevera
Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries
Liberia 500 metros norte de estación de bomberos, 100 al este y 50 al norte Barrio San Roque Guanacaste
COSTA RICA
International Headquarters 21, Camellia Court, 18, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, BR3 1NB England, UK
International Headquarters
Papua New Guinea & Slomon Islands Territory
Apt 3B - 60 West 57th Street New York NY 10019-3953 U.S.A.
Angau Drive, Boroko, PO 1323 Port Moresby, NCD PAPUA NEW GUINEA
USA Western Territory 23 Coral Tree Lane Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 U.S.A.
