In small towns and large cities across Canada, The Salvation Army is the source of spiritual nurturing for many families. Although the Army is known in many settings for practical ministries to meet human needs, corps ministry continues to be deeply influential. Preaching the gospel, fostering disciples, developing leaders and walking alongside families in times of struggle and joy is some of what makes corps ministry so appealing.

Lt-Colonel Morris Vincent and Major Vaden Vincent, two brothers from Triton, N.L., were commissioned as Salvation Army officers three years apart. They served in various ministries with some matching appointments: corps officer, divisional youth secretary and area commander. They also served in diverse settings. Vaden was the executive director of social ministry units for many years, and Morris served in divisional and territorial appointments within our territory and internationally. Today, their ministries are matching again as they return to the foundation of their calling—serving as corps officers. Two things drew them back: the influence of their corps upbringing and the compelling seed, planted in their initial calling, to be a corps officer.

During their formative years, Morris and Vaden were active in their home corps. With their dad as the corps sergeant-major for 30 years and their mom a young people’s treasurer and Sunday school teacher, they were regular participants, along with eight siblings, in weekly worship and church activities. As young boys, they sometimes resisted their parents’ church priorities, fabricating excuses not to attend, yet both discovered a calling to preach the gospel, which remained the bedrock of what it means to serve. 

As well as influencing many Salvation Army soldiers to serve as officers, the ministry of The Salvation Army in Triton remains strong and vibrant, with ongoing new converts to Christ and church attendance growing. When Vaden retired from active service in 2023, Morris presented him with his retirement certificate during a Sunday morning service in Triton. Preaching from Isaiah 41:10, Vaden called people to the amazing “free trade” of God who turns our rags into righteousness, our weakness into strength and our fear into courage.

Later that year, Vaden was invited to be the guest preacher at a corps who needed a “fill-in” officer. After being away from corps ministry for more than 20 years, Vaden suddenly felt God’s spirit re-igniting a desire to lead congregations again and offered himself for post-retirement service. In his first year as the corps officer in Lewisporte, N.L., Vaden says: “It is so fulfilling being back in corps ministry. I see God moving among the people.”

When Morris returned to Canada from international service, he spent much time in prayer and reflection, discerning God’s direction, and was drawn back to the joy of his original calling—corps ministry. The words of Scripture, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), and the twin truths of faith and obedience to disciple others had lingered steadfastly.

“God spoke as clearly to me in 2023 as he did when I was first called to ministry, more than 40 years ago, reminding me of my first passion for pastoral service,” says Morris. “These days in corps ministry are among my most fulfilling as I journey up close with Salvationists and the larger community.”

Despite official retirement for one, and with years of assorted officership experiences for both, the two brothers have gladly returned to the pulpit.

In The Salvation Army, corps ministry plays a critical role in nurturing Christian faith for all ages. Through preaching and teaching the gospel and cultivating spiritual growth with a broad range of practices and programs, the corps is positioned to help disciples amplify the kingdom of God in local settings. The corps propels service and mission as Christians live out what they learn from gathering in worship and small groups. The corps provides opportunities to meet people’s social needs by addressing loneliness and offering belonging. And the corps helps us think collectively, not individually. No corps is an isolated entity. It needs partnerships and relationships with others and often flourishes best by engaging with networking partners, such as schools, health facilities, government offices and other community services. The corps is integral to the mission of The Salvation Army, and it is the place where many officers have found their greatest ministry fulfilment. 

With the territory prioritizing corps ministry as the foundation of our mission, this passage of Scripture may best describe the purpose of the corps: “As you come to him, the living Stone— rejected by men but chosen by God, and precious to him—you also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9).

Lt-Colonel Wanda Vincent is the corps officer at London Citadel, Ont., along with her husband, Lt-Colonel Morris Vincent.