Ministry at the Kansas City Citadel, Kan., Corps extends far past the corps building to an entire campus of services and into the community. From residential programs which house veterans and others working to get back on their feet to community outreach, activities for children and adults, and music education, it’s round-the-clock service in the name of Christ.
For Majors Mark and Susan Anderson, corps officers, bringing those living on campus and from the surrounding neighborhood together to create an integrated worship community is paramount.
“We’re trying to incorporate people from campus, but we’re also doing community outreach,” said Major Susan. “We feel that engaging the community in addition to those residing on campus is going to keep the Army alive and growing.”
Campus services include permanent supportive housing for a limited number of individuals and a residential program for veterans who are working toward being job-ready and living independently. Also on campus is a new Sober Living home where up to 20 people can live for up to two years and work toward building a new life.
Reaching out to individuals on campus is an ongoing effort. With the help of dedicated staff and volunteers, residents are welcomed to attend weekly activities and worship at the corps.
“We have a team that sees their work as a ministry,” said Major Susan. “We invite people who come to us for assistance as well.”
Off-campus, connections with senior housing complexes allow for ministry to older adults. Along with community care ministries like delivering monthly care packages to residents at the Booth Manor and hosting “Bingo and Bible Study” in their activities room, older adults from the community are connected to the corps through “New Beginnings,” a monthly luncheon and fellowship at the corps.
Pathway of Hope (POH) is thriving, with 14 families enrolled and four having recently completed the initiative. Hope Burris, POH case worker and soldier, invites participants to find a community of support at the corps through activities and worship. In addition, she helps plan events like a community baby shower which recently celebrated 10 women and their babies with a program, gifts and a message of hope.
In the broader community, making connections can be more challenging. Door-to-door visitation and social media promotion of youth programs, men’s and women’s ministries, Bible study and Sunday worship have garnered interest from the neighborhood.
Through Bravo, Kansas/Western Missouri Division’s music education initiative, connections have been made with youth and their families. Free lessons in piano, percussion and brass provide youth with access to opportunities that might not otherwise be available to them. Bravo students play in a small brass band for Sunday worship and host recitals which are attended by family, friends and corps members.
Earlier this year three individuals, including a man from the Sober Living house who graduated from the adult rehabilitation center, and a mother and daughter who started attending the corps through POH, were enrolled.
