Listen to this article
NEW HOPEEnvoy Eulie Wise-Owl (r) and Todd Harned study the Word at the New Hope Corps.
As a haven for the lonely and the down-and-out, the Anchorage New Hope Corps–a recovery corps–offers a place for those in need to find renewed hope, new life, and loving acceptance.
The corps began in 1993 as an outpost of the Anchorage Adult Rehabilitation Program (ARP), with Envoy Guy L. Moore in charge. Captains Dallas and Marlo Pedersen were host officers. Initially, meetings were held after the ARP chapel service and beneficiaries in the program and their families were invited to join in. With the help of Major Robert Anderson, the outpost began holding seminars dealing with those who suffer from compulsive behavior and drawing on the experiences of those who worked with this addiction. After being designated a corps, the group continued to meet in the Anchorage ARP.
In August, 1994, Envoys Eulie and Penny Wise-Owl were appointed in charge of New Hope, and the work was moved to the same building as the Anchorage Corps. With the emphasis on outreach ministries, the corps continued to grow. Now, active participation by soldiers and attendees continues to support the corps’ ongoing community involvement.
“Corps Sergeant Major Pat Hild leads the Overcomers group,” says Envoy Eulie Wise-Owl, “and Envoy Penny Wise-Owl started the Women’s Outreach Ministries, a cross-cultural type of Home League.” Adult Sunday school, soldiers’ classes, outreach Bible studies, 12-step overcomers meetings, children’s Sunday School, League of Mercy, and visitation are all active corps programs. In addition, the corps holds Sunday meetings in local parks in the summer,which has led to new people attending the corps.
“Envoy Wise-Owl has led this corps to a respected place in the city of Anchorage,” says Moore, who serves as New Hope’s corps chaplain. “The corps offers help to all. The Lord has surely blessed this work.”
