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Envoy Dora Baeseman
Envoy Baeseman has demonstrated the true spirit of a frontiersman in the aggressive manner in which she has approached her task of opening the new corps in the predominately Hispanic community of Woodburn, Ore. Currently some 40-45 members from both primary gangs in the area worship at the Woodburn Temple Corps.
She was first brought to the Salem Corps in 1992, when she attended Women’s Fellowship. She readily agreed to be translator for the new Woodburn Outpost, and was put in charge in June 1994. The active Home League includes many mothers of gang members.
Envoy Baeseman is called the “Mother Theresa” of the community because of her continuing effort to bring healing and the Word of the Lord to these people.
Tom Wood, Ed.D.
No friend of the Army has embraced the challenge of influencing lives and helping men and women to qualify as leaders more vigorously than Dr. Tom Wood. In his role as President of Marymount College he supervised the transfer of land title and then with great grace took his place as a member of the CFOT Board of Advisors, where he has served as member, committee chairman and board chairman.
In every board position he has been a tenacious advocate for educational excellence and quality training. His familiarity with the needs of a college community have helped other board members, and tempered their expectations for what should be done and what could be done.
As the College works to communicate its mission with people in the South Bay, it has no better advocate than Dr. Wood.
Captains Michael and Barbara Eyres
Kolonia Corps
After commissioning in 1990, Lts. Michael and Barbara Eyres were sent to the Marshall Islands as assistants. They began monthly trips to the islands of Ebeye, and in January 1992 were sent to begin a corps there. Learning the Marshallese language was an important factor in their ministry.
The next January, they began visits to Pohnpei, and in April were asked to start a corps there. This involved learning a new language. In their three years in Pohnpei they have seen the development of the Kolonia Corps and began outpost work in Madolenihmw. The flag will next be brought to the island of Chuuk.
Their two sons have been born during this time, and until the last move they have lived at Third World poverty level. They have fought hepatitis, danger, poor nutrition, and lack of proper medical care. These officers have served heroically in circumstances that are difficult for Western Americans to understand, and are truly frontiersmen of the year.
CSM Miguel Balan
Los Angeles Central Corps
CSM Miguel Balan has for the past two years given direct leadership to the development of weekly Barrio Sunday schools, leading five each week, with a total reaching 150. As a result, 60 children plus parents have begun coming to the corps. He has a goal of beginning a sixth Sunday school.
Every Sunday he gives leadership to three open-air meetings in the afternoon in downtown Los Angeles parks. Families have also been brought to the corps through these meetings.
Seven years ago, Balan was homeless, an addict, and living in MacArthur Park. As a result of an open air meeting he found the Lord, came to the Army, and has a new direction in his life.