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Anniversary celebration highlights growth in a remote region.
Forty years ago, The Salvation Army’s work officially began in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).
For Overton Clarence, it was a dream come true.
Years prior, Clarence had received a War Cry from a U.S. Navy chaplain, and his interest in The Salvation Army grew. From the Marshall Islands—a remote chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the Central Pacific, nearly 5,000 miles from San Francisco—he read of the Army’s work for those in need.
When he assessed the needs around him, especially for youth, with reports claiming many experienced a lack of direction, unemployment, teen pregnancy and alcoholism, he believed there was one organization for the job.
Clarence wrote to the General and Salvation Army leaders around the world for help. The Salvation Army sent how-to books, materials and several copies of “Orders and Regulations” before teams were able to travel to the Marshall Islands to assess the situation and determine next steps.
After a decade of Clarence’s efforts, and a number of challenges, The Salvation Army’s work officially began in Majuro, with Clarence as the Corps Sergeant Major. When the first corps opened in Majuro in 1989, Majors Benton and Pearl Markam were the first appointed officers.
Today, The Salvation Army’s presence in the Marshall Islands spans nine corps—Rita, Laura, Arno, Ine, Ebeye, Jabor, Jaluit, Narmiej and Imiej. Clarence was promoted to Glory in 2004, but his dream has been realized beyond what he could have imagined.
His legacy lives on in the Marshall Islands and through his granddaughter, Cadet Sharon Reimers, who joined in the anniversary celebrations as part of her spring campaign as a second-year cadet at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont.
“It’s great just to be a part of something that my grandfather started, and to see the work that has been developed from just one corps,” Reimers said.
Reimers, along with other members of the Champions of the Mission session and College for Officer Training at Crestmont (CFOT) leaders Majors Terry and Rutendo Masango, traveled to the Marshall Islands in advance of the 40-year celebration events to do ministry work in the outer islands of Ebeye and Arno, engaging in evangelism, discipleship efforts, and supporting local corps officers in visitations, Bible studies, worship services, youth and children’s ministries.
“For the cadets, this experience will challenge them to adapt their theological training to a cross-cultural context, deepening their understanding of ministry in global settings and strengthening their call to officership,” said Terry Masango ahead of the travels.
The 40-year celebration weekend, planned by the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division, was held in Majuro March 21-23. The weekend took the theme “Faithful” and centered on the message found in Deuteronomy 7:9: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
In addition to those present from CFOT, Territorial Leaders Commissioners Douglas and Colleen Riley, Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonels Eddie and Genevera Vincent and Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Divisional Leaders Majors Anie and Troy Trimmer were in attendance among some 600 attendees.
“We saw, firsthand, the faithfulness of God’s work within the Marshall Islands over the last 40 years,” Troy Trimmer said. “Representatives from every corps within the Marshall Islands were in attendance, many taking boat rides that took three days to get them finally to Majuro.”
The weekend began with a Friday evening holiness meeting, including a dedication of corps flags for each corps that were provided by the Western Territory; dance, ukulele and tambourine presentations from Rita and Laura corps youth; the sharing of The Salvation Army’s history in RMI; a recognition of pioneers; and a message from the Territorial Commander on the faithfulness of God.
“In the faithfulness of God, we see a reflection of the most profound aspect of his character—which is unchanging, unwavering and unshakeable, and it deserves our acknowledgment and praise,” Riley said. “And that’s what we want to do.”
The five pioneers of the ministry were honored in the celebrations, including Reimers’ grandparents. She said watching her Bubu (grandma) receive the Pioneer Award in honor of her and her late Jimma (grandpa) was particularly impactful.
“I am filled with gratitude as I witnessed my grandparents receiving an award for their unwavering faithfulness,” she said. “This recognition not only honors their commitment but also reflects the faithfulness of God in their lives.”
On Saturday, the celebration took to the streets for a March of Witness, escorted by RMI police.
“What a glorious time with the March of Witness—a sea of white uniforms, and red, yellow and blue Salvation Army flags followed the procession of praise music through the streets of Majuro all the way to the corps,” Trimmer said. “Spontaneous dancing erupted at the conclusion of that route, including our own Commissioner Douglas Riley, dancing in the streets for Jesus.”
Following lunch, the group split up for men’s, women’s and youth rallies, and Trimmer said the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident in all.
Sunday’s holiness meeting included the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” with presentations from the Rita Corps Home League and youth. Additionally, Douglas Riley enrolled 15 senior soldiers and 20 junior soldiers. Trimmer gave the message, and Riley closed the meeting with a benediction and blessing.
“God has indeed been faithful, and we are counting on his faithfulness for the next 40 years,” Riley said.
Every corps then participated with dancing and songs, which went well into the evening.
“We had a successful and fruitful celebration,” said RMI Coordinator Lt. Colonel Evelyn Posadas. “We are grateful to God for blessing our 40th Anniversary in the Marshall Islands. We were all reminded of the blessings of God for our region. He is faithful, indeed.”
During the celebration events, Klawock (Alaska) Corps Officer Captain Luke Betti served as a translator. Betti grew up in the Marshall Islands and returned home after 13 years away. He attended the first corps, which is located in the village he was born and raised in.
“The majority of the people in my village attended the corps,” he said. “I was pretty much involved in the church since I was young until I graduated from high school and moved to Hawaii in 2000…I am who I am because of God, my family, all my former corps officers, Sunday school teachers and all the service corps teams that spent their summer teaching me God’s Word.”
Betti said he was excited to return to where it all started—to worship and sing in his native language and see loved ones. Another perk? Sharing his “adventure” in The Salvation Army.
“If God can use me, he can use everyone,” he said, adding he hopes to make it to the 50-year celebration “jubilee,” which he said is culturally significant.
But to get to 50 years, the work continues—and according to RMI Coordinator Lt. Colonel Leopoldo Posadas, there are many opportunities for The Salvation Army to engage. The government has identified human trafficking, mental health and teen pregnancy as the primary social challenges.
“The Salvation Army today should be ready to assist and support the program of the government to these challenges,” he said. “The Salvation Army should intentionally be part of how these issues are discussed and how The Salvation Army will support and help that is aligned with our mission.”
During her time serving in Arno Atoll, Reimers said she was impacted by the ministry of presence, love and care there, which revealed what God is doing within the community and the corps.
She witnessed one woman, in her early 20s, who had survived abuse and developed mental illness, who spends her days wandering around the atoll. The ministry leaders of Arno Corps, Necklace and Merryrose Juonran, fed her and have assisted her with material needs, including food security and housing.
“She loves The Salvation Army and knows when the programs are held,” Reimers said of the woman. “She would sit in the back corner and listen.”
Despite the limited resources on the island, the leaders didn’t stop reaching out to the people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“This kind of ministry is what the Army is all about,” Riley said. “God takes delight in the ministries that are happening in RMI.”
The territory additionally gifted each corps with solar refrigeration units, sports equipment and Starlink to enable communication with each other and divisional headquarters, plus a new truck and new cement basketball court in one location.
“It sounds so basic but to these faithful officers and soldiers of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, these are critical needs,” Riley said. “This is where the World Services funds from soldiers across the territory help to meet needs.”
As Reimers prepares for officership, this experience was particularly meaningful.
“I am filled with joy for the opportunity to be here and to experience God’s presence and faithfulness alongside all the corps officers, session mates, leaders and the community,” she said. “I pray that my session, the Champions of the Mission, and I continue to be good witnesses and faithful followers in our mission to spread his gospel to everyone while meeting the community’s needs as God has called us to.”
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