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The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory

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July 25,2008


Building the Network

Outreach begins inside the corps at Princeton, W.Va.

By Major Frank Duracher
Southern Spirit staff

 

It's all about relationships at the Princeton, W. Va., Corps.
"This is a corps that will literally hug anyone who comes in the doors," said Captain Burl LaBatte, (then) Princeton corps officer. "It's family-oriented, but they are very welcoming to newcomers."

Loretta Collins kneels at the altar, one of five prayer stations in the corps chapel at Princeton, W.Va.


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A day care center for 100 children daily, plus the "Golden Angels" seniors program, comprises two of the major community outreach ministries supported by the corps family. Nineteen soldiers have been enrolled through the Golden Angels program alone.

In the four years that the LaBattes were corps officers there, among their cherished accomplishments is helping their soldiers be more evangelistically minded.

"We wanted to change the format of the (Sunday evening) salvation meeting, because everyone who came was already saved," said Captain Carrie LaBatte. "So part of our missional planning strategy has been to create a network both within the corps and extending into the community."

In keeping with the Four Territorial Priorities, the corps council decided to revamp the salvation meeting’s look for each Sunday of the month. On the first and third Sundays, the soldiery takes the canteen out to serve a hot meal to Princeton’s growing homeless population in a downtown alley off Mercer Street – plus the soldiers conduct an open-air meeting during the feeding time. On the second Sunday, visitation teams break out to the homes of shut-in, absent or prospective-member families. On the fourth Sunday, a rousing praise meeting is planned and led by the corps officers and key local officers. When there is a fifth Sunday in a month, it is usually an extra visitation night.

"Prayer, worship, and discipleship have been vital to the healthy growth of that network formation," Carrie LaBatte said. “People seem to open up to each other when

Continued »»

 

 

 

 

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