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In Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Salvation Army’s affordable apartment community for seniors, the Albuquerque Silvercrest Senior Adult Residence, is right next door to The Salvation Army Albuquerque Citadel Corps.
Howard Novich moved into one of the Silvercrest’s 56 apartment units in June 2016 and has been with The Salvation Army ever since, becoming Corps Sergeant-Major, a lay leader in the congregation, and the Silvercrest Liaison.
As the Silvercrest Liaison, Novich encourages engagement between Silvercrest residents and the corps. He represents Silvercrest residents on the Corps Council and also attends a men’s Bible study on Monday nights.
“We’re a corps that’s on the move and we’re doing all we can,” Novich said, adding his goal is to “serve the Lord any way” he can. From teaching Sunday school to driving fellow Silvercrest residents to Walmart, Novich serves his community with dedication.
According to Albuquerque Citadel Corps Officer Major Raewyn Aspeitia, Novich is especially “good at relaying messages to Silvercrest from the corps.” She said he “works to get [Silvercrest residents] to engage” with the corps so The Salvation Army can better support the senior community.
Every Wednesday morning, Novich drives the bus to take Silvercrest residents to Walmart. He said since the bus has been vandalized twice, with one catalytic converter theft and one popped gas tank, it will now be parked at Silvercrest under his window so he can keep an eye on it. He also locks up the corps’ community room at night and turns on bright LED lights outside.
“I’m 72, and I’m not stopping. I have arthritis, but I keep going. ”
Howard Novich
On Sunday mornings, Novich opens up the church building and prepares the classrooms before opening the service in prayer. He also teaches Sunday school, which nearly 50 people attend.
Throughout the week, Novich supervises disabled students from the local Eldorado High School as they make food boxes to give to unhoused people in the community. He said the students are efficient, like an assembly line, and put together “100 boxes within an hour.”
Novich also serves as the Albuquerque Salvation Army Justice Champion with the Citadel Gospel Justice Center, which gives affordable legal advice and counsel to community members. According to Aspeitia, Novich coordinates with the Justice Center to ensure the greater community of Albuquerque has access to legal representation when needed—a service often used by Adult Rehabilitation Program participants.
Novich said the Justice Center holds a monthly prayer breakfast where lawyers advise Silvercrest residents on legal issues. He said people from the corps pick up the tab so residents can get legal advice without paying the $30 fee.
Novich’s commitment to serving God and the community is unwavering, even though he said he experiences physical pain. Novich explained he previously attended a different church and served at a food pantry there for 31 years.
When he got arthritis, Novich began getting IV infusions every six weeks and had to step away from volunteering at the food pantry. He transitioned to serving with The Salvation Army, which he says is “right next door and easy to get to.”
“I’m 72, and I’m not stopping,” he said. “I have arthritis, but I keep going.”
Novich said God is the one who equips him for his acts of service and encouraged others to look to him as the source of their strength.
“We cannot do anything on our own,” Novich said. “We have to give it to the Lord.”
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