Although Jaime Perea Rodríguez grew up in the Christian faith, he felt that it was lost when he left his home country of Colombia and moved to Canada. His mother, Maria, was devout and taught him to follow the path of Jesus Christ, but the harrowing journey to a new country challenged his connection with God.

It wasn’t until he settled in Montreal with his family and found The Salvation Army that he and his family reconnected with their faith.

The Unfamiliar

“I started my family life very young,” says Perea Rodríguez, who had lived in Colombia for 25 years. He and his partner, Cindy Carolina Mosquera Cabrera, and their children Cristian and Irina, lived a simple life surrounded by family members, but there was little hope for progress and a lot of violence around them. On one occasion, armed groups came to their home to extort them, threatening to take their lives if they did not pay them money.

In search of a safer home with greater opportunities, the family made the decision to leave Colombia and move to North America. They travelled by bus to Mexico where they walked across the border into the United States and were detained by immigration and customs for three days. The journey was difficult, and they lived in a hotel for two months without a proper landing place.

“Faith has always been very important to us… It means always believing in Jesus, and even though we do not see him, we feel his presence.” JAIME PEREA RODRÍGUEZ

To add to the stress they faced, Cristian was attacked by a dog not long after they arrived in the United States and they had to take him to an emergency room, still unfamiliar with the language and customs of a new country.

“Adapting to a foreign country was a significant challenge,” says Perea Rodríguez through a translator. “Among many of our feelings, the strongest were fear, sadness and anxiety about where we would end up and how our lives would be from that moment on.”

The family spent one year in the United States, and on November 3, 2022, they arrived in Montreal.

“It was hard to adapt in the first few months because we arrived in the winter,” explains Perea Rodríguez. Finding housing was difficult—everywhere they inquired asked for documentation that they didn’t have, such as proof of income and credit history, and without employment or sponsorship, they struggled to find a place to live.

Finally, in January 2023, they found an apartment in Montreal where they still reside today.

The Next Steps

After moving into their apartment, they learned that The Salvation Army had a food bank. In need of assistance, they scheduled an appointment and were met by Beatriz Alvaran, a caseworker and member of Montreal Citadel, who invited the family to attend church on Sundays.

They began attending services regularly in February 2023 and after 10 months of living in Canada, Perea Rodríguez was able to find a job through a person that he met at church.

“The Salvation Army helped us by welcoming us, providing food, and always being attentive to us as we adjusted to the country,” says Perea Rodríguez. “They prayed for our family, and most importantly, offered us a place where we could regain our communion with God, which we had lost when leaving our home country.”

Upon arriving at The Salvation Army, the family found great support and mentorship from soldiers and members such as Alvaran, and retired officers Mauricio Urzua and Erika Trincado. They found friendship with many of the congregants, as well as corps officers Captains Juan Chirinos and Indira Albert, who have answered their questions about God and encouraged them to take the next steps in their faith.

“During the past year, we have had discipleship conversations with them, and they have asked us about what it means to become more Christlike,” says Captain Chirinos. “They’ve expressed that these spiritual steps are important for their growth as individuals and as a family, and we praise God for their personal decisions to pursue Jesus.”

At the beginning of 2024, the couple chose to accept the Lord into their hearts and dedicate their daughter, Irina.

“Faith has always been important to us,” says Perea Rodríguez. “It means always believing in Jesus, and even though we do not see him, we feel his presence. Through our faith, we believe he will always help us and be with us.”

Worship Together

For Captains Chirinos and Albert, welcoming people from different cultures and backgrounds into the church community is an enriching experience. Montreal Citadel opens its doors to people from all walks of life, including many who are new to Canada, inviting them to find a sense of belonging within The Salvation Army.

“It reflects the diversity of God’s creation and offers an opportunity to build a truly inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and at home,” says Captain Chirinos, who believes that being able to minister to people from such varied walks of life means embracing the uniqueness of each individual while fostering a sense of unity in faith. It’s about understanding their stories, traditions and perspectives, while creating a space where they can connect spiritually, regardless of their cultural differences.

“It challenges us to be more adaptable in our approach, recognizing that the way we serve, pray and worship can be enriched by the various cultures represented in our corps,” says Captain Chirinos. “It’s a beautiful reflection of the kingdom of God, where spiritual transformation takes place and every nation comes together in fellowship.”

A Home for All

“What strikes me most is the courage and faith Jaime and his family have shown, coming to a new place, likely with many challenges, yet choosing to anchor themselves in their faith and in a supportive community,” Captain Chirinos continues. “It is a testimony to how Jesus can use the church as a refuge, a place of healing, and a space where faith can grow, even in unfamiliar territory.”

The greatest impact that Perea Rodríguez and his family have felt since arriving in Canada is the kindness of the people, and the peace, tranquility and safety that they feel here. They have reconnected with their faith and integrated into the corps, finding both belonging and spiritual renewal in their new community.

“It speaks to the spirit of love and hospitality that we as a church are called to embody. Their journey of reconnection with God here in Canada reminds us all that no matter where we are in life, God’s presence remains constant, and his church remains a home for all,” says Captain Chirinos, adding he feels both joyful and humbled to watch them integrate into the corps.

“Each step they take, whether in fellowship, worship or service, reflects God’s grace and the warmth of a welcoming church family,” he concludes. “I am excited to see how God will continue to work in and through their lives as they grow in faith and become an even greater blessing to others.”

This article is part of a new Salvationist department called Journey to Salvation, which features stories of newcomers to Canada and their paths to becoming Salvationists in our territory.