by Viki Payton
The Central Territory offers opportunities for officers, soldiers and other corps members, employees, advisory board and women’s auxiliary members to participate in short-term, cross-cultural missions experiences through Global Mission Teams (GMTs).
Each year, an average of three teams partner with Salvationists around the world.
Some teams have a program focus, others focus on construction; still others have a little of both. Regardless, all teams have expressed purposes such as developing an awareness of the international Salvation Army, becoming advocates of World Services/Self-Denial fundraising in their corps, and establishing relationships with Salvationists in their host locations. Not surprisingly, after their mission experience some GMT members commit to learning another language, and others go on to serve overseas long-term. Many have a renewed appreciation for The Salvation Army as their place for worship and service.
But sometimes there are unexpected outcomes as seen from two of the most recent GMTs.
New skills practiced back home
The GMT to Guatemala in spring 2023 had a wonderful experience renovating the divisional camp in Tecpan. The five-person team from four divisions was joined by several officers from the Gautemala Divisional Headquarters in doing facility maintenance, sanding and painting, floor and countertop tiling, roofing, and making other repairs.
Putting in long hours each day to complete renovations, several team members learned new skills and gained interest in painting, tiling, landscaping, etc. A few were so excited about what they learned that with newfound confidence, they took on projects back home.
Major Valerie Carr had a vision to renovate areas in her corps, Dearborn Heights Citadel, Mich. Upon her return, she promptly headed to the hardware store to pick up supplies and recruited people at the corps to help. They got to work updating the waiting area, and a few weeks later took on a landscaping project.
Jill Johnson, a soldier of the Royal Oak Citadel, Mich., Corps, said, “I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had to both serve and learn alongside The Salvation Army in Guatemala.
“A big part of our project was to lay new tile in the community center. I had always wanted to learn how to tile but never had the confidence to try. I came home with the skills to finally tile my fireplace hearth. Now, every time I light a fire, I think about the good people in Guatemala.”
New bonds bless territory
In spring 2022, the first post-pandemic GMT went to Denia, Spain. Most of the eight team members from three divisions had never met, but say that from the first moments they felt like family. A deep bond developed during their 10 days of ministry. It served them well even on the trip home when the team encountered a lot of stress. Two members tested positive for COVID-19 and had to remain in Spain. The others missed their connecting flight in Madrid and were delayed for 24 hours. When the two remaining members finally traveled home, the others prayed for them in the middle of the night. The setbacks drew the team even closer together.
Over the 18 months since the team returned from Spain, members continue to connect frequently with each other through a Teams channel, sharing prayer requests and life struggles, as well as joys and victories. They continue to cry and celebrate together.
For instance, when one member was hospitalized, another sent her favorite treats, and when a member’s husband was in the hospital, one of the team visited to support them. When a member shared about their local ministry with refugees, other members donated items for the work. When team members have been welcomed to the training college as cadets or commissioned as officers, the others have been there to celebrate. Members have even opened their homes to each other for vacations, offering a place of rest and restoration.
They look forward to any territorial event that can allow a reunion. Commissioning weekend 2023 brought together seven of the eight members who found a downtown restaurant in Milwaukee to share a meal and then prayed with each other on the sidewalk. A couple of passersby sarcastically asked if they were holding a prayer meeting, then were shocked to be invited to share their own prayer requests and be included in the circle!
While GMTs are composed of very different people from across the territory, the experience of living and serving together creates a strong bond. Friendships span the territory and often last a lifetime.
The Territorial World Missions Department is excited to offer the opportunity to Salvationists across our territory to participate in GMTs.
If you’re interested in being on a GMT, be sure to follow us on social media, and visit our website centralmissions.org/GMT.
