(Above) Children from the Salvation Army daycare centre in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, welcomed us with music, dance and vibrant tradition. Their joy shone through every twirl, every smile and every word about what they love most at school. Meeting the dedicated staff revealed a community rooted in care, culture and compassion—a celebration of togetherness we won’t forget.

The Salvation Army’s ministry in the Latin America North Territory—spanning 10 Spanish-speaking countries—is a vibrant expression of faith, culture and compassion. This photo essay focuses on Costa Rica and Panama, where God’s love is lived out in classrooms, corps halls, seniors’ homes, migrant shelters and a training college. 

From children dancing in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, to youth praying in Chilibre, Panama, lives are being shaped through fellowship and service. Cadets in San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica, prepare for prepare for a lifetime of ministry, while leaders such as Lt-Colonel Juan Mercado, chief secretary, Latin America North Territory, call the church to generosity through selfdenial. Officers, staff and volunteers walk alongside seniors, children and migrants, creating spaces of belonging and dignity.

Whether through music at the School for the Blind in Panama, laughter at the Nicoya seniors’ day program in Costa Rica or a warm welcome at the immigration shelter in San José, Costa Rica, The Salvation Army nurtures hope where it’s needed most.

These images are more than snapshots; they reveal a movement of grace and transformation. More than programs or places, this is a story of people living out the gospel with open hands and open hearts, bringing glory to God in everyday moments of joy, dedication and love. 

LT-COLONEL BRENDA MURRAY is the director of international development.

↑ Every tradition is nurtured with care at the Salvation Army daycare centre in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica. Teachers not only guide learning but also pass on the richness of culture, helping children grow with confidence and pride. Love, guidance and tradition, passed down through dedicated teachers, create a foundation where joy and belonging flourish.

↑ Huddled together in small groups, children of the Salvation Army youth program in Chilibre, Panama, gather in heartfelt prayer. This church-based ministry nurtures young lives through worship, learning and service, planting seeds of faith that will grow into lifelong discipleship. Surrounded by the love and dedication of volunteers, these moments reflect a generation growing strong in God’s love.

↑ Amidst the rugged beauty of San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica, is The Salvation Army College for Officer Training, where cadets prepare for a lifetime of ministry and service. Steven Arias Silva, a second-year cadet, shared his heart for the mission with conviction: “I believe that God has called me to go out and seek lost souls. We are called to bless one another. No one can remain silent; we must be the voice that proclaims the good news.” His dedication reflects the passion and purpose at the heart of the training program, where learning, fellowship and faith shape leaders for the future.

↑ Joy takes many forms at The Salvation Army School for the Blind in Panama, including the steady rhythm of a drumbeat. This program provides a safe and supportive space where adults from the community gather for fellowship, learning and growth. In this moment, Eduardo Muñoz expresses his joy through music, reminding us that creativity and community know no barriers.

↑ With hands lifted in worship, Melissa Scotland de Henry, young people’s sergeant-major at the Rio Abajo Corps in Panama, reflects a heart fully surrendered to God. This moment echoes the truth of worship musician Matt Redman’s Heart of Worship—that worship is not about performance or music, but about returning to the centre of faith. Melissa shares: “I enjoy everything about my church, but most of all, working with the young people, helping them know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.”

↑ Disability rights advocate Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.” In this image, one of the residents of the Hogar Jackson Senior Centre in Panama, who is visually impaired, connects with Lieutenant Kassleen Velásquez Gutiérrez, a corps officer in the Panama Division. The moment of joy shared between the women is beautifully captured in their smiles—an encounter felt deeply with the heart.

↑ Laughter and joy fill the room at the Nicoya seniors’ day program in Costa Rica. Lieutenant Ricardo Antonio Letona de Natfa’s warm smile brightens the table. Around him, seniors from this Blue Zone region—an area known for its remarkable number of centenarians—come together to share stories, crafts and fellowship. Their longevity is often attributed to strong social bonds, daily activity, plant-based diets and a deep sense of purpose, all of which are celebrated and nurtured in this weekly gathering, creating a family-like atmosphere of warmth and belonging.

↑ In the Latin America North territorial headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, Lt-Colonel Juan Mercado shares his heart for ministry and mission. Reflecting on the impact of the Self-Denial Campaign, he says: “Self-Denial is the commitment, the sacrifice and the service that we can provide to others in need, giving and providing what we have without thinking of getting anything in return.” His words capture the spirit of generosity and hope that guides the territory’s leadership and inspires those who give.

↑ Costa Rica is a key transit point for thousands of migrants travelling north, a movement known as the “South-North Flow” by the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). In partnership with organizations such as UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), The Salvation Army supports the immigration shelter in San José, providing meals, temporary housing and emotional care. Captain Ricaurte Velasquez, now serving as a corps officer at Light of Hope Family Church in Montreal, shares a casual moment with social worker Yoiling Porras Muñoz, who is dedicated to helping families navigate the challenges of migration.

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