Salvation Army to reopen Corps in Angoon

Opening slated for July.

The Salvation Army will reopen its corps in Angoon, Alaska, July 7, after promising village residents “we’ll be back” during the Living Water Evangelistic Boat Tour in autumn 2012.

Although the Alaska Division closed the Angoon Corps in 2004, its soldiers continued to meet, praying that the Army would someday return. The town—a quiet fishing community of about 450 people located on Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska—has other churches, but they are served by part-time preachers. The Salvation Army was the only full-time ministry.

During the Boat Tour, Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs, inspired by the passion Angoon residents have for the Army, said in God’s time, and in accordance with his will, God honors the sincere prayers of his people. Knaggs then issued to Divisional Commander Major George Baker a command to reestablish the official work of The Salvation Army in Angoon as soon as possible.

A team of Alaska Division officers recently traveled to Angoon to begin preparing the corps buildings and property for the Army’s July return. The team included Lt. Mark Davey (Mat-Su Valley), Majors John and Cathy Quinn (Kodiak), Major Evadne Wright (Sitka), Lt. Jeff Josephson (Homer) and Lt. Dave Kyle (Haines.)

The buildings had extensive mold damage, and the team worried that even if the buildings could be saved, repairs would not be complete by July. Village residents feared the Army might abandon their plans to return, but team members reassured them that The Salvation Army intended to keep its promise.

Soon, offers of assistance poured in from townspeople: buildings that could be used and housing for the officers.

“The response of the community amazed us,” Davey said. “While the Army had left the community, the people of Angoon love The Salvation Army, our mission and ministry so much that they were willing to do anything to help us return to the village. [They displayed] Christianity in action, the family of God working together to bring God’s Word, his healing power and his salvation to the community.”

During a “Singspiration” meeting held the team’s last night in Angoon, Baker assured the assembly, “The time to return is now. God will help us find solutions and The Salvation Army will return by July 1, no matter what.”