Royal Oak Corps

The Salvation Army - Royal Oak was founded in 1923 and was formerly known as Detroit #6, it has been serving south-east Oakland County ever since.  The corps was opened by Ensign Eva Simmons who was the daughter of Eliza Shirley.  Eliza was not the first Salvation Army officer, but also was responsible for starting work in the United States.

We offer a wide range of services:  pastoral counseling, emergency assistance, homeless family lodging, sports and recreation activities, music programs and many other weekly and special events.  The Salvation Army community center (The SAL) provides recreation, group fellowship and programs and a summer day camp.

We are a part of the evangelical Christian church: all worship and weekday activities are open to the public. The Salvation Army is under the leadership of corps officers (ordained ministers) who are assisted by lay leadership as well as employee staff. The corps programs include opportunities for worship, spiritual growth, Christian education, character building activities for children, music instruction and performance, as well as a variety of other small and large group activities for all ages.

Ministry Staff

Captains Peter and Catherine Mount have been serving as the pastors of the Royal Oak Salvation Army since June 2013. They provide spiritual leadership and encouragement to the Royal Oak congregation. They are available for pastoral counseling, visitation, and other needs. They can be contacted through the corps office (248-585-5600) or by clicking on the contact us button above.

Corps Sergeant Major Mark Burg serves as the senior lay leader at The Salvation Army. He provides leadership during Sunday morning worship, and serves as the leader of the executive council of the church.

Mike Mowers serves as the Student Ministries Director. He oversees ministry to all students in Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12). He and his leadership team enjoy leading the students in bible study, worship, prayer, service projects, youth parties, and a whole lot more.

Charol McDonald volunteers as the corps Young People's Sergeant Major. In this role, Charol provides oversight to many opportunities and programs for children, including character building, Sunday School, Children's Worship and Music.

Melanie Mowers is the Director of "THE SAL" Community Center. Her responsibilities include oversight of the activities of a multifaceted community recreation program; including Summer Day Camp, SAL Youth Basketball League (SYBL), and the Middle Sschool (ASP) After School Program. She also serves as our Red Kettle "Bell Ringing" Coordinator.

Other Staff Members Include:

Business administrator              Donna Thayer
Administrative Assistant             Kolleen Wood
Christian Education Team          Addington & Cynthia Coppin
Program Team                          Dale Johnson
Business Team                         Bill Roberts
Pastoral Team                           Audrey Perry

Doctrines of The Salvation Army

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall, all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, in the general judgement at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.