Two of our local Salvation Army Soldiers, Rick and Tammy Leidsen, were recently featured in the Huffington Post sharing the story of their struggles of addiction to meth and dealing with serious medical issues, and how they overcame those things with their faith in Christ and love for each other. Check out an excerpt below and read the full story at the Huffington Post.

After blowing an $11,000 inheritance on gambling and meth in just one month, Rick Leidsen, 50, decided he’d had enough of the drugs and enough of living in a van in a Fresno, Calif., parking lot with his girlfriend. He wanted out of a 25-year addiction.

The Monterey Peninsula Corps is proud to have these two in our local corps, serving the community and sharing their inspiring story with others looking for a lost hope.

Eandi receiving one of the drama awards at Music Camp

One of our own, Eandi Sosa Valenzuela, had a chance of a lifetime this past Sunday, July 24, 2011. He got to sing the National Anthem in front of a sold out crowd at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants baseball game. What is even more amazing is that he is only 12 years old!

Through his involvement with Salvation Army programs, as well as the Seaside Police Activities League (PAL), he has had opportunities to better his singing abilities and be encouraged along the way.  He is actively involved with the Monterey Peninsula Corps youth programs, participating in Music Night, Teen Youth Group and leading worship on Sunday mornings. This summer is the 3rd year he has attended Music and Creative Arts Camp at Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, CA. The past two years, he has taken home awards for Drama, performed on Soloist Night and this year was the featured soloist in the drama presentation, singing an adaptation of Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.”

As part of the Junior Giants Program, through the PAL program, he had the opportunity to audition and was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the game as part of that program. Because of his community involvement, he has been given the opportunity to sing the National Anthem, among other songs at various events and competitions around the Monterey Peninsula.

We’re proud Eandi has taken his God-given singing ability and opportunities provided to him through things like Music Camp and is using it not only to share with others, but also to glorify God.

The teens from our church just returned from a weekend at Camp Redwood Glen for a youth retreat. Over 400 teens from the Golden State Division were in attendance. The teens spent the weekend focusing on their own relationship with Christ, learning from others, worshiping together and having a lot of fun fellowshipping with each other.

If you are a teenager, join us Friday, February 25th for our monthly Final Friday event. This month we’ll be hosting a Minute To Win It head-to-head style tournament. You’re guaranteed to have fun and if you got mad skills, you just may win a prize!

As usual, we’ll have some snacks an a general time of fellowship and hanging out before and after the program. If you’d like more information, please call Melissa at 831-521-5552. We’re located at 1491 Contra Costa St in Seaside on the corner of Elm and Contra Costa St. We’ll meet in the Ramsey Wing, just to the right of the main gate.

Get Green With Us!

Join us for our annual St. Patty’s Day Church Dinner! Dinner will be a full corned beef and cabbage meal with potatoes and carrots, drinks and dessert! Come and enjoy the food and fellowship!

Date: March 17, 2011 (St. Patrick’s Day)

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Chapel, 1491 Contra Costa St

P.S. Make sure to wear lots of green!

New world leader announced for The Salvation Army

January 31, 2011

The Salvation Army has today announced its new world leader and the 19th General will be Canadian-born Commissioner Linda Bond.

Commissioner Bond becomes the third woman and the fourth Canadian to hold the post of General of The Salvation Army since the international church and charity organization was founded 146 years ago.

The Commissioner, who currently heads up the church and registered charity’s work in the Australian Eastern Territory, was elected by The High Council of The Salvation Army made up of senior leaders from around the world who met this week in Sunbury-on-Thames near London.

Commissioner Linda Bond (64) will have the title General-elect until she succeeds the current world leader General Shaw Clifton, who retires at the beginning of April.

Once in post as General of The Salvation Army, the Commissioner will become the head of more than one million Salvationists in 123 countries. The Salvation Army also has more than 100,000 employees who between them communicate in 175 different languages.

In recent days and months, The Salvation Army has been involved in relief work in the aftermath of the Australian floods, the devastating mudslide in Brazil, floods in Sri Lanka, and the New Zealand earthquake.

Commissioner Bond comes to the role of General of The Salvation with 42 years experience of Christian ministry and leadership.

Since 2008 Commissioner Bond has headed up The Salvation Army’s work across Eastern Australia, a huge territory with its headquarters in Sydney. This includes the recently devastated state of Queensland where The Salvation Army continues to be heavily involved in assisting victims of widespread flooding.

Prior to this, the Commissioner worked at Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, as the Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations. This was her second spell at IHQ where she had previously served as Under Secretary for Personnel in the mid 1990s. As a Salvation Army officer (ordained minister of religion and leader) Commissioner Bond has served in local corps (church) ministry, on the staff of Salvation Army national and regional (divisional) headquarters and as part of the training staff for new officers in her home territory of Canada and Bermuda. During those years she also served as a divisional and subsequently a leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Other appointments have included divisional leadership roles in the Manchester region of the United Kingdom between 1998 and 1999, and as Territorial Leader in the USA Western Territory of The Salvation Army.

Speaking just after her election Commissioner Bond said:

‘I love the Lord Jesus Christ and pledge my utmost obedience to him. I am absolutely committed to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. We, the Salvation Army need to be an Army of praise and thanksgiving to God and we must place our trust in God. We need his Holy Spirit to come mightily on The Salvation Army.’

Get to know Commissioner Linda Bond (recent interview – December 3)

If you are a teenager, or have the privilege of working around them, join us Friday, January 28th at 7:00pm for our monthly Final Friday event. This month we’re talking about violence and how it affects the community, whether directly or indirectly. We’ll also spend some time praying for peace in our community and for those who have been affected more directly by ongoing violence.

As usual, we’ll have some snacks an a general time of fellowship and hanging out before and after the program. If you’d like more information, please call Melissa at 831-521-5552. We’re located at 1491 Contra Costa St in Seaside on the corner of Elm and Contra Costa St. We’ll start the meeting in the chapel area.

Vacation Bible School 2010

Vacation Bible School is here! Join us for the fun and excitement Monday, Aug 9 through Friday, Aug13 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and concluding with a VBS Graduation and BBQ on Sunday, Aug 15th at 10:30am.

Cost is free and is open to all Elementary and Middle School kids! High School students can come and help with the younger children.

We’re located at The Salvation Army on the corner of Contra Costa and Elm St in Seaside, CA. For more info, call us at 899-4911 or send us an email!