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International Leadership Visits ALM Division

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The Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division of The Salvation Army was honored in April with a visit from the international leadership of The Salvation Army. International Chief of Staff, Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, and the World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham took part in a tour of the ALM Division that included special events in both the Jackson, MS and Birmingham, AL command areas.

The Commissioner’s travels took them from The Salvation Army International Headquarters in London, where they have served since January of 2018. They were first commissioned as officers in 1990 and came into their current positions after service in the territories of New Zealand, Canada and Bermuda, and Singapore where they served as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

In Jackson the Commissioners took part in a rally where they, along with Divisional and Territorial leadership, joined salvationists in the Jackson Salvation Army community in celebration. It was an event that included musical performances, testimonials from the Commissioner, and saw the enrollment of 40 new soldiers.

In Birmingham, Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham spoke to the crowd at the National Advisory Board meeting about the work of The Salvation Army in the United States and in the world. The Salvation Army serves in 131 countries across the globe, and Commissioner Buckingham spoke about the wisdom necessary to move forward in the world while serving wherever The Salvation Army is called. “We are needed more than ever to be this group of people who testify to what it means to be in a relationship with God and what it means to love our neighbor. It is a testimony that actually extends around the globe,” he said.

Birmingham Salvation Army Serving After Tornado from Remnants of Cindy

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storm preparedBirmingham, AL – The Birmingham, Alabama Command of The Salvation Army will serve meals Thursday evening after a tornado tore through several communities in and around Birmingham. This comes as Emergency Disaster Services officials warned residents of the threat of flooding and tornadoes after Cindy was downgraded early Thursday to a tropical depression.

“Emergency officials asked us to serve meals and drinks in Fairfield and at the local EMA center following this storm,” said Major Roger Glick, Commanding Officer, Birmingham Area Command. “We will also provide emotional and spiritual care to those who need someone to talk to, a prayer, or even just a hug.”

The Birmingham Area Command will provide meals and drinks to the Jefferson County Emergency Operations Center and to a mobile command center closer to where the tornado touched down in the city of Fairfield. Disaster workers will be on site until 10pm Thursday night.

“Cindy is still a threat as it moves northeast across the top of our area,” said Terry Lightheart, EDS Director, The Salvation Army of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. “We know with projected rainfall from this storm more flooding could still be a possibility into the weekend. Many areas of the Division are also under a tornado watch or warning.”

With Salvation Army Corps located all across the Gulf Coast from Mobile to Biloxi to New Orleans and Lake Charles in Louisiana, officers will stay in close contact with local emergency management officials to make sure all needs are met. Shelters are also open to receive anyone who needs to escape rising flood waters.

“So far the impact of Cindy has been localized but Divisional disaster relief personnel and assets remain on standby until remnants of the storm have passed.”said Lightheart. “We would rather be prepared and not be needed than be caught off guard.”