Northern Division leaders retiring, headed to Florida
Lt. Cols. Robert and Nancy Thomson, leaders of The Salvation Army of Minnesota and North Dakota, are hanging up their officer uniforms after an incredible 41 years of service.
The Thomsons have overseen Salvation Army operations in Minnesota and North Dakota since 2013. In the 12 years prior, they held similar leadership roles with The Salvation Army of Missouri and Southern Illinois, and The Salvation Army of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They were first commissioned as Salvation Army officers (pastors) in 1975, spending the next 25 years serving in various roles throughout the Midwest.
The Thomsons will retire in Clearwater, Fla.
“There’s a big retirement complex there with lots of retired (Salvation Army) soldiers and officers,” Robert said. “We’re looking forward to beginning a new chapter of ministry.”
The avid golfer added with a smile: “It feels good to retire. We’re tired.”
Nancy is also excited for the future, and is satisfied with all that she and Robert used their lives to accomplish in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Would I do it all over again? You betcha,” Nancy said. “I thank the Lord for his faithfulness. I’m not sure what He has in store for us, but the journey continues.”
In their leisure time, the Thomsons plan to travel abroad, read, and visit Minnesota and Oregon to see their children and grandchildren.
A retirement ceremony (pictured) was held June 19 at The Salvation Army in Brooklyn Park, Minn., where friends, family, and colleagues gathered to celebrate the Thomsons for their exemplary career.
The Thomsons’ successors, Lt. Cols. Lonneal and Patty Richardson, take over June 29. The Richardsons most recently served as leaders of The Salvation Army of Missouri and Southern Illinois.
Please join The Salvation Army by volunteering or making a donation to support your local community.