THE SALVATION ARMY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS - Press Release
THE
SALVATION ARMY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS;
Majors Steve and Christine Merritt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2013
WHAT Welcome
of new officers to Rockford Temple Corps and Winnebago County
WHEN Sunday, June 30, 2013 from
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE The Salvation Army
Rockford Temple Corps, 500 S. Rockford Ave., Rockford
WHY As
the Rockford community says farewell to Majors Randy and Kathy Hellstrom we
also say hello to Majors Steve and Christine Merritt. Helen Hill, The Salvation Army advisory board
president, states, “While we will truly miss the Hellstroms, it is with great
pleasure that we welcome the Merritts knowing that the good work of The
Salvation Army will continue under their leadership.” The Merritts are being
transferred from Omaha, Nebraska to the Rockford Temple Corps effective
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 as the corps officers (pastors/administrators) with
additional appointment of Winnebago County coordinator for Major Steve
Merritt. Accompanying them will be their
youngest child, daughter Abigail (15), a sophomore in high school. Their oldest
child, Benjamin, is at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas finishing his AIT
in Army Medics. He will graduate from
this program August 9, 2013. Their
second child, Matthew is a sophomore at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan where he is
enrolled in the IT program.
Steven Merritt and Christine
(Diaz) Merritt were both born to Salvation Army officers. Growing up, Steve lived with his family in
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. Christine lived in Michigan, Nebraska, and
Illinois with her officer parents. They
met as children while both families were stationed in Omaha, Nebraska. Their paths crossed again in Chicago,
Illinois. From Chicago Steve went into
the US Marine Corps in 1981 and spent three years at Camp Pendleton, CA. Christine attended Olivet Nazarene University
in Bourbonnais, IL from 1980-1984 and graduated with a BA in Ed/K-9. Steve has earned his BS from Olivet Nazarene
University in Practical Ministries.
After Steve returned to Chicago
he was employed at Schiele Graphics as a Journeyman Printer. Christine returned to Chicago and worked at
Burson-Marsteller Public Relations Firm. Both were active soldiers at The Salvation
Army Oakbrook Terrace Corps. They were
married in 1986 and resided in Oak Park, IL.
They had their first child, Benjamin, in 1990.
In 1991, Steve and Christine
entered The College For Officer Training in Chicago, IL. After being commissioned and ordained in
1993, they were appointed as corps officers in Lafayette, IN. Their responsibilities included, preaching,
teaching, and oversight of The Salvation Army work in Lafayette and Tippecanoe
County. Under their direction were
social services, a family shelter, and an Advisory Board. They also added a
second child, Matthew, to their family in 1994.
In 1995 Steve and Christine were appointed to Oak Creek, WI as corps
officers. They remained in the ministry
in Oak Creek for eight years. They were
responsible for the congregational life, community relations, a 78-unit HUD
housing for Seniors, and an extensive childcare and afterschool program. The last of their three children, Abigail,
was born in 1998.
The Salvation Army transferred
the Merritts to Dearborn Heights Citadel (one of the oldest established corps
in the Central Territory) in the Metro Detroit area as corps officers. They worked very closely with the Ford Motor
Company community. Their area of service
included the largest population of immigrants from Iraq, outside of the
Mideast. They served in this appointment
from July, 2003-June, 2010.
Steve and Christine were then appointed to the
Western Division in Omaha, Nebraska.
Steve serving as the Divisional Secretary and Christine as the Women’s
Ministries Secretary. They took up these
responsibilities on July 1, 2010 until their transfer to Rockford on Wednesday,
June 26, 2013. Ironically, the Hellstroms and Merritts are trading positions
within The Salvation Army.
PUBLIC INVITED
Welcome Sunday for Majors Steve
and Christine Merritt will be June 30, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. and the public is
invited. Major Steve Merritt will be preaching, and following that is a catered
lunch and an informal “get to know the Merritts” time of fellowship. Please call Dawn at 815-226-4400 to RSVP for
the luncheon.
INTERVIEWS Available
with the individuals above
• Major Steve Merritt, Winnebago
County coordinator and corps officer
• Major Christine Merritt, corps
officer, Rockford Temple Corps
PHOTO OP Available
with above individuals after Thursday, June 27, 2013.
Photo
attached.
ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization that has
been meeting human needs since 1865. The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach
the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without
discrimination. In Winnebago County, The Salvation Army has been assisting
families and individuals since 1888.
The Salvation Army provides many programs and services for the needy,
including food, clothing, prescription, and utility assistance, disaster
relief, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, transitional housing and supportive
services for men and women, citizenship classes, mentoring, violence-prevention
classes, and recreational activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Beverly Peterson
The Salvation Army, Director of
Community Relations
Office: 815-962-7207
Cell: 779-537-9976
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