‘Extraordinary example of community:’ Capt. Lopez looks to the future of Salina’s Salvation Army as she moves to new role – Salina Journal

New officers are making their way to the Salina Salvation Army next month, but their predecessor has left behind a legacy and opportunity for these next leaders to thrive in the community.

Capt. Lynn Lopez received her marching orders and will be moving to Nebraska for a new role with the Salvation Army at the end of June, but she said she will miss everything about her time in Salina and the corps here.

"I have loved, loved, loved meeting so many wonderful people here," Lopez said.

She also said she has had great experiences teaming up with those in the corps here in Salina and working with other people in the community.

Lopez said her new role will be in Beatrice, Nebraska, where she will serve as Western Division/Divisional Headquarters/Service Extension - 360 Life Center Coordinator.

"What that really entails...is that I will be opening this 360 Life Center," Lopez said.

Just like in Kansas, Nebraska has a lot of rural areas that the Salvation Army serves with Service Extension Units.

"I'll be planting this (in Beatrice)," Lopez said. "I'll be their corps officer and their pastor."

She said this site will have everything that the Salvation Army can provide in one location, with social services, thrift store, food and meal programs, and other needs.

"It's for people to come in and get help for everything in one place," Lopez said.

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Lopez is thankfulthat the Salina corps will be in good hands, no matter who comes in as new officers, thanks to the work that has been done by her team the last few years.

"This corps right here...is up and running, it is smooth programming and I'm sure our new officers will be able to just pick it up and run with it," Lopez said.

She said she feels like a lot has been done in the four and a half years she's been here.

"Things are on track to move into the future," Lopez said.

Lopez isn't yet sure who will be coming in as officers at the Salina corps, but she and the rest of the community will find out in just a few weeks as the Salvation Army will have a commissioning ceremonyon June 13. Lopez said anyone can watch the service by registeringatusccongress2021.org.

Some of the current captains have spouses in training to become officers themselves so it will be a team coming to Salina to lead here.

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"It'll very likely be a family, but we don't know which type of family yet," Lopez said

She did say that no matter who comes, the trajectory for the Salina corps will continue upward and the mission will continue to be to serve and reflect the community it calls home.

"This will be a bilingual corps," Lopez said. "It's important thatwe continue with our Hispanic ministry as well as our English ministry."

Lopez said the corps in Salina isn't the Salvation Army's, it isn't hers and won't be the new officer's corps either. It'll instead belong to the people who live here.

"We operate it, but, for the (people in the) city of Salina and Saline County, this is your community center," Lopez said.

The way Lopez talks about howmany of the values of the Salvation Army are reflected in thiscommunity makes her believe it will be a great place for the new officers and that theyare sure to be welcomed into their new home

"This is the most wonderful community to live in," Lopez said."People are kind and they care and care about others. It's not a selfish community. They're just an extraordinary example of what a community looks like when they make a difference."

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'Extraordinary example of community:' Capt. Lopez looks to the future of Salina's Salvation Army as she moves to new role - Salina Journal