SALEM — The Salem Salvation Army is undergoing a leadership change.

“We love Salem and it’s hard to disconnect from a community where we’ve been able to find so much joy and happiness, and to make an impact in people’s lives, but we know that we are called to do great things where we are going, and we know it is ordained by God for us to end up in Warren (Pa.) and serve the community and the Salvation Army there,” said Captain Angelica Spence.

Captains Angelica and Gene Spence have served the residents of Salem and its surrounding communities through the Salvation Army’s social services, programming and worship for the last eight years, the third longest tenure for any local officers, but Sunday marked their final service in Salem. Angelica explained that as an organization the Salvation Army periodically rotates its officers’ postings, and the Spences have been re-assigned to Warren, Pennsylvania to take command.

While Angelica said the Spences are “excited for new opportunities,” it was difficult to leave Salem, their first official posting after graduating from the Salvation Army Training College, as they and their children both consider it to be their home.

“Our kids call Salem home, they’ve lived here the longest. Our daughter was 5 when we moved here, and this is where she’s lived the most. The same with our son. We call this home, this is our home,” said Gene.

“We’ve just really fit well in the community. Our kids are active in scouting, band, we’ve enjoyed all the different community events; this is home. The community has supported us not only in our ministry but as a family. The community was so receptive for us when we first got here and it’s continued to the whole entire time,” said Angelica.

The Spences have both been involved with the Salvation Army throughout their lives and understand the positive impact of Salvation Army social services, programming and ministry on the lives of children and families in need, with Angelica citing a particular fondness for social services and ministry, and Gene calling their programming his highlight

“I really love the social service aspect and our summer ministries, because they’re so beneficial and were my saving grace as a kid, and I know that we’re saving graces to others. We provide that hope where it’s at,” said Angelica.

“For me it’s our programs, we do a lot of youth after school programs, a music academy, dancing, we do a troops program that’s similar to scouting. It’s doing all the activities to keep the youth engaged and giving them the opportunity to do something socially,” said Gene.

Of their programming the Spences particularly highlighted their after-school SA Gaming and Troops programs. They said that as part of the SA Gaming program children can play with other participants from other Salvation Army posts around the county in a safe and controlled environment.

“We have a gaming room where after school they can come and game and relax, and they’re able to game with all the different Salvation Armies across the eastern territory and nationally. For example, our son will game with people that live in Chicago, or California, or Puerto Rico, so it’s allowing them to connect with their common interests,” they said. “In today’s society there’s a lot of interest in gaming, but in the church they’re in a controlled setting so that prohibits them from being able to use profanity. So we’re teaching healthy lifestyles with that, so it’s always a plus.”

Angelica said that the Troops program served to bolster character development and allowed them to take participants around the community to gain valuable first-hand practical and professional experience.

“We’re able to take them out into the community. We’ve gone to Yuhanick’s Cleaning, to Jalisco’s, Salem Tire, teaching them about things here in our community so they don’t have to travel far and allowing them to get different job development for their future and helping them to be equipped for tomorrow,” said Angelica.

Angelica and Gene’s time in Salem has seen them serve Salem and the surrounding communities through both the Covid-19 pandemic and East Palestine train derailment, both of which they said proved to be significant challenges and taught them valuable skills about serving a community in need. Gene said that through their response they learned and improved their skills in organizing, networking, developing partnerships and even in forklift driving.

“Covid was hard because within this area we were delivering food boxes non-stop seven days a week to almost the entire northern part of the county putting 200 to 300 miles on a vehicle in a day, and we weren’t allowed to have church services because you couldn’t join in as a group,” said Gene. “East Palestine was a lot of long-hour days, and we learned new skills throughout it all. With every challenge and hardship, we worked through we learned a skill that has helped us improve not only ourselves, but our opportunities to serve the community,” said Gene.

The Spences have left the community in the experienced hands of Captains Amber and Jason Imhoff, who are coming from Washington, Pennsylvania. Angelica said that the Imhoffs are experienced in emergency and disaster services and look forward to joining the Salem Community with their four children. For their part, Amber and Jason, who are originally from the Akron area, said they are excited to serve the community.

“We look forward to coming alongside the community in the fight for good and sharing hope to those who need hope for today and the future. In the next year we’re eager to expand the efforts that are already going on at the Salem Salvation Army as well as getting to know the community and the people who call it home,” said Jason and Amber.

The Imhoffs’ first official day in command is today, with their first Sunday service set for this weekend. The Imhoff’s first large community event is currently set to be the annual hot dog eating contest on July 3, as part of the city’s annual Independence Day celebrations.

Angelica and Gene said they were grateful to the Salem community not only for allowing them to serve, but for accepting them and their family into the community.

“We’ve been able to serve to our best in Salem and we’ve been so grateful for that opportunity to be part of the community. Despite not being a native to the area you’d never be able to tell because we’ve just been part of the Salem community, and I think that speaks volumes for Salem. Salem really is just a truly wonderful area,” said Angelica.

mahart@mojonews.com