Soon after she arrived in Montreal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, Captain Rachele Lamont was walking down the street with some friends when a passing motorist leaned out the window and started honking his horn.

“He was gesturing rapidly and talking so quickly, we couldn't make out what he was saying at first,” says Captain Lamont, “but when we listened closely, we heard him say, 'Salvation Army, we love you here! It's good to have you back.'

“That was an affirmation for us,” she believes. “We are wanted.”

Journey to Quebec
While in training college, Captain Lamont and her husband, Captain Jean-Curtis Plante, travelled to Montreal on their winter assignment to explore the possibility of a church plant. After a four-year appointment to Melfort, Sask., their hearts turned again to “la belle province.”

“By our third year in Melfort, we'd accomplished what we had set out to do,” says Captain Plante. “When Army leadership asked us about the next opportunity, we pointed to Quebec.” Their proposal was accepted and in September 2008, they found themselves in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, an inner-city neighbourhood of Montreal.

Originally, their efforts had been split between their duties as divisional youth leaders and overseeing the church plant, but now Captain Plante is working full-time as the divisional youth secretary so that Captain Lamont can focus solely on the church plant.

Three-Pronged Approach
Captain Lamont is concentrating on three areas:
• Meeting with the organizations that are already active in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve to determine where the Army can partner.
• Building up a local Quebecois leadership team. Already two young women have joined Captain Lamont, and others have expressed a desire to help.
• Connecting with the community. Captain Lamont wants to become as familiar to the people of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve as their local convenience store owner. “That involves just hanging out, going door-to-door and getting to know people in the neighbourhood,” says Captain Lamont. “God will provide opportunities to speak about him, but he'll also show himself through how we live.”

Back in the Neighbourhood
Reaction to the church plant has been positive, especially as there was an Army presence in the neighbourhood a couple of decades ago. “People are thrilled to see us in our uniforms,” says Captain Lamont.

Recently, The Salvation Army hosted two community parties in a local park, complete with music, games, face-painting and a barbecue. Nearly 200 people showed up, including families with young children.

At the second event, a young man came up to Captain Lamont. “I don't remember the last time someone spoke to me,” he told her. “Thank you for doing this.”

“That brought tears to my eyes,” she recounts. “We're making a difference.”

Looking Ahead
Future plans for 614 Hochelaga-Maisonneuve include finding a home base for their church, but for the moment, Captains Lamont and Plante are bringing the church to the people.

“We want to create a community of God here,” says Captain Lamont, “a place where people feel loved and accepted. There are many people that live in isolation, surrounded by crime, drugs and poverty. We want to create a place where people belong. And we want God to be the centre.”

Top photo: Captains Jean-Curtis Plante and Rachele Lamont; middle: A 614 community barbecue; bottom: A backpacks-for-kids campaign