New National Salvation Army Commissioners Visit Michigan
The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division unofficially kicked off National Salvation Army Week a little early in May thanks to a visit from their two new National leaders.
Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole, and Divisional Leaders, Lt. Colonels Steve and Christine Merritt attended the Tulip Time Festival on May 10, and The Salvation Army in Holland Worship Service on May 11.
Led by The Salvation Army Brass Band, all four roads on a float in the Quality Car Wash Volksparade.
(Holland Corps Officers Lead Parade)
(Salvation Army Float)
“We were so honored that the National Leaders for the Salvation Army joined us in the celebration,” said Lt. Matthew Winters, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army in Holland. “Tulip Time is a long-standing tradition that’s been happening since 1929. Only seven years after that tradition began, the Salvation Army started its work here in the Holland Community.”
(Holland Corps Officers Lieutenants Matthew and Haylee Winters, Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole, and Divisional Leaders Christine and Steve Merritt)
On May 11, the call to worship was “Follow Jesus” and both Commissioners took part in the service.
“Once while hiking we saw someone who we saw coming back down from the path. He told us to be careful up ahead because there was a rattlesnake,” Commissioner Merle Heatwole said. “And sure enough we saw it off to the side of the path. The reality that hit us was, that it would have been very easy for us to step off to the side and not have followed the path. My prayer for each of us is that we trust God and stay on the path he has chosen and avoid whatever dangers might be waiting.”
“We want to believe, but we can’t believe, because we can’t see the path forward,” said Commissioner Dawn Heatwole. “Where is God asking you to go today? Wherever it is, he is going to lead you and is not going to send you on your own. You can’t do it on your own, it’s too hard. He’s asking us to have the courage to follow.”
Commissioner Merle Heatwole is the National Commander, and Commissioner Dawn Heatwole serves as the National Secretary for the Program. They were appointed in March and took over leadership from Leaders Kenneth and Jolene Hodder, who retired after 37 years of service.