Majors Jon and Kris Augenstein to Retire from The Salvation Army June 28, 2023.
Majors Jon and Kris Augenstein to Retire from The Salvation Army June 28, 2023.
Majors Jon and Kris Augenstein have been serving as Officers for The Salvation Army for 28 years with their last three years serving the Springfield, MO Corps. Prior to their arrival to Springfield in 2020, they spent 25 years serving in various communities in the Central United States including corps appointments in Mason City, Iowa; Wichita, Kansas; and Flint Michigan. Just prior to being appointed to Springfield, MO they served in Peoria, Illinois at the Heartland Divisional Headquarters, he as the Divisional Secretary second in command of the Army’s work in Central Illinois and Eastern Iowa, and she as Divisional Women’s Secretary, and Older Adult Ministry Secretary.
Upon their arrival to Springfield, they shared that their passion was to share God’s Word through Bible Study and preaching, ministering to people, men, women and children alike. They stated they valued authenticity, transparency, and were eager to work together with a leadership team to enhance the Army’s work and ministry serving the community, especially to those who are marginalized.
Since their arrival here at the Springfield Corps, the Majors have worked tirelessly to see the Army’s mission of serving others to stay at the forefront of all that we do. At the start, they had to work through the Covid-19 pandemic, and all this entailed as the staff and volunteers worked with innovation to keep serving others through very challenging circumstances. While working through the pandemic the Majors were also able to help the Corps reach financial stability through their budgeting expertise and working with their staff to help raise the needed funds to keep The Salvation Army’s mission moving forward. Once the pandemic eased up, they were able to lead their team through a Planning Study/Needs Assessment and through a recent Feasibility Study which has helped lead the local Salvation Army towards a future they hope will expand their campus and programs within the next few years, all with the goals of increasing the services available to the community.
When asked about what Major Jon envisioned for the future for the Springfield Corps, he stated, “I hope to see a Salvation Army growing to meet the current and emerging needs and be a leading force in meeting the needs of the many here in Springfield all while at the same time being done in a way that demonstrates the dignity and worth of every individual in God’s image”. Major Kris Augenstein added, “The Salvation Army’s mission statement is to meet human needs in His name without discrimination and I believe that our Springfield Corps exemplifies this by the work and compassion they put forward every day.”
The current and local Advisory Board Chair, Steve Fox stated, “It has been a privilege and honor to get to work with the Augensteins these past few years. Not only are they great people, but they were also a perfect fit for the leadership we needed and have positioned us for future/much-needed expansion to address community needs.”
The incoming Advisory Board Chair, Rob Dvorak, stated, “Majors Kris and Jon are the epitome of living by example. Kindness, character, and integrity. Whether it being displayed to a Bell Ringer on a sub-zero day or a President of a major corporation, their Christ-like attitude has always shined through. They will be missed. I welcome them back with a Gold shovel when we break ground on the new Harbor House. A project they were dedicated to. God bless them both!”
Upon retirement, the Majors will be able to spend more time with their children and grandchildren and be involved with The Salvation Army church in their hometown, of Janesville, Wisconsin.
An announcement regarding The Salvation Army’s newest Corps Officers will follow in the upcoming couple of weeks.
