Training!

Tuesday the team met to spend some time working on music, puppets, dramas, and ballooning! Some of our balloon creations came out great! Some were a little more, well.... interesting. The team worked great together and had a good time preparing for the trip.

Can you guess what some of these creations are?

Fellowship & Prayer

Monday night the group met with the Divisional Staff for a meal and prayer time. For some of us this was our first time meeting the other team members. We all shared some details about our lives and what we are looking forward to most about the trip. It was a great time of fellowship and prayer!

Team Member Bios - Erin Kofoed and Michelle Marquez

I am the Youth Program Specialist at DHQ. I enjoy drawing, painting, sewing, playing sports, making/editing movies, making new friends, decorating and working on my house, exercise, making anything beautiful, singing, playing my cornet, loving on my precious son, horseback riding and spending time with my family. Six people live in my house. Me, my husband Aliex, my 6 year old son Zachary (who turns 7 while I'm in Africa), - I also have my little sister Alyssa living with me (in my basement - they take my two lower rooms), her husband Chris and their baby Aiden (who is now 4 months old). I own two dogs (Chihuahuas) and 1 cat - and my sister owns two big dogs who are also great house guests.

This will be my first mission trip and I'm a little more scared than excited. People keep asking me if I'm excited - but I see this mission trip as a chance to be pushed into uncomfortable situations - to face fears. It's terrifying - and I'm looking forward to being stretched and used by God.

I hope to experience something on this trip that will change me forever. I want to come back transformed and with a fresh new perspective on life. Although we are going to help - I believe that I have something valuable to learn. In preparing for the trip two verses came to mind - Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength”, and Psalm 105:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done”.

I currently work at DHQ as the Administrative Assistant for the Social Services, Emergency Disaster Services, and Service Extension Departments. I am a soldier at the Centennial Corps. I enjoy scrapbooking, card-making, movies & music, reading, baking, long-walks, and most of all spending time with my 9 month old baby, Isaias, and my wonderful husband Mateo.

I have been privileged to go to Estonia, New Zealand, Switzerland, England and Mexico on various ministry trips with The Salvation Army. I’m looking forward to this trip for many reasons – the chance to travel to a new place, the opportunity to meet new people and build relationships, and the ability we’ll have to share the great love of Jesus with the people we encounter. I hope to be an encouragement for those we meet. I believe this trip is going to stretch me and help me to be a more compassionate individual. A verse that I have been challenged by recently is 2 Peter 1:5-7 “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

I feel very blessed to be going on this trip and ask that you would pray for our team as we travel – that we would be God’s hands and feet.

Team Member Bios - Paul Brewster and Leah Meyer

I am currently the Director of Development at Intermountain DHQ. I have been married for 24 years to my lovely wife Cathy, and we have two children David and Kelli. Cathy is in the public affairs department of Safeway Corporation here in Denver. She is the daughter of retired Salvation Army Officers (Majors Clyde and Nancy Curnow). David is a freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder and my daughter is a freshman at Littleton High School in Littleton, Colorado. David is studying Political Science with aspirations of becoming an attorney. Kelli is a wonderful straight A student and a member of the LHS Cheerleading squad. We have two dogs - Katie and Ringo (yes, Ringo was named after Ringo Starr). Some of my hobbies include traveling with my family, music, reading, and of course sports (watching and playing).

I was fortunate enough to go on a medical mission trip 4 years ago to Hanoi, Vietnam. We took medical equipment and expertise to the largest community hospital in the country's capital. I was also fortunate enough to meet with high officials of the Vietnamese government, as well as the Ambassador to Vietnam from the United States, in order to assist in facilitating poison control and trauma training from St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver to Bach Mai Hospital in Vietnam. It was a life changing experience.

The passage in the Bible that speaks to me constantly, and especially now in thinking of South Africa, is Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

The part of the upcoming trip that I am most looking forward to is the opportunity to listen and serve others in a way that is Christ honoring, using the time that has been given to me by God to share His love with people literally around the world.


I am currently the IM DHQ Database Manager(exciting title, huh?). I transferred to the Intermountain Division last September after working various positions in Development at DHQ in Honolulu for three years.

I have been on several mission trips before with my hometown church, but not since high school. I spent spring breaks with my church youth group doing projects in Appalachia(rural Virginia) and also spent a week in Denver(before I lived here!) working with various feeding programs as well as various shorter projects.

I am looking forward to many things.... mostly seeing a new part of the world and another side of the Army that I haven't really been a part of yet. I'm also really hoping to be able to make a positive impact on the people that we come into contact with.

This trip brought to mind Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God"... I have been pulled in a lot of different directions lately and there are so many things to take care of before we go, sometimes I just need to remind myself to take a moment and remember who is in control.

Team Member Bios - Captain Harold Laubach and Major Deborah Greene

I currently serve as the Corps Officer in Pueblo, along with my wife Maggie. We have four children: Alex(14), Kiara(12), Natalie(11), and Doris (6). I enjoy fishing, reading, playing computer games and spending time with my family.

I have not been on a mission trip before, but during our Spring Campaigns we went to Juarez, Mexico and helped the Salvation Army unit there. I am looking forward to the ministry opportunities with young people while in South Africa.

In preparing for this trip, James 1:27 came to mind - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."


I currently serve with my husband as the Salt Lake Basin Coordinators with specific responsibility for the Ogden ARP. My hobbies and interests include bible study, counted cross stitch - when I take the time, and attending Real Salt Lake Soccer games. My husband and I have three children, one boy and two girls. Our son Richard, age 34, lives in Hawaii; our daughter Dawn, age 32, lives in Fairbanks, Alaska with her husband Eliot; and our youngest daughter Melissa, age 27, lives in Ogden, Utah. We have one dog - Kaos - a playful Border Collie mix.

I have never been on a mission trip, except 12 years in Alaska, but have always loved working with other cultures. When I was first approached about going on this mission trip, the thought came to me about the compassion of Jesus. Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. My desire is to have the same compassion as Jesus.

I am looking forward to sharing God's love with others of a different culture. I am excited about the opportunity to experience how people in other countries live and so empathize with them. I am looking forward to God using me to make a difference in the world.

Team Member Bios - Captain Dave Shull and Captain Roberta McKinney

Currently my wife Regina and I are serving as the Corps Officers of the Cheyenne Corps. We have a son, James, a daughter, Joslynn, and a dog named Max. I enjoy playing guitar, fly fishing and mountain biking.

This is my first mission trip and I am very excited and humbled by the chance to go. I am looking forward to seeing how Christ is lived out in a different culture.

Leviticus 6:13 says, "The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out." Too many times I let the fire of God go cold in my life because I rely on myself, not on God. I am looking forward to relying totally on God for everything and learning to not rely on myself.


I am currently serving as the Divisional Social Services Secretary for the Intermountain Division. My husband Ron is the Metro Denver City Coordinator. I enjoy reading, sewing, and knitting.

In preparing for this trip Joshua 1:9 came to mind, which says, "Be strong & courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Though I haven’t been on a “formal” mission trip before, my husband and I have assisted Corps with projects and ministry while on vacation. I am really looking forward to meeting the people of South Africa, learning about how they worship, learning about their culture, and sharing my faith with them.

Team Member Bios - Captain Mike Halverson and Captain Judy Bennett

My wife Nancy and I are currently serving as the Corps Officers of the Fort Collins Corps. We have one daughter, Amanda, who is 15, and two sons - Justin, 12, and Brandon, 7. I also have one brother, Shane, who has three children of his own (Tyler, Rylee and Austin). My mom and dad, who are also officers, are stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska. I love watching and playing sports (football, basketball and baseball). I love to exercise and stay in shape, though it doesn't always work out that way! I love to spend time with my wife and children. I also enjoy Bible Bowl (helping teens learn the Word of God).

I have never been on a mission trip before, and I am very excited to be going! The first scripture that came to my mind when thinking about this trip was, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." -Matt. 9:37-38

I am looking forward to a life and heart change that I have heard about from so many people who have been on mission trips before. I am looking to go with an open and willing heart to see how God may change me and make me more like Him.


My awesome husband John and I are currently the Corps Officers at the Centennial Corps. We have 3 great kids: Ruthie (25), Philip (23) and Mark (21). I enjoy biking, travel, reading, hiking, playing bass guitar, and digging in the dirt (gardening).

In preparing for this trip the Lord laid this verse on my heart, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:19. This will be my first mission trip and I am looking forward to hearing the stories of those we visit, seeing a new land, and being available to be used by the Lord in whatever manner He chooses.

Team Member Bios - Majors George & Jeanne Baker

Majors George and Jeanne Baker will be leading the team that is going to South Africa.


I am currently serving as the Divisional Secretary of the Intermountain Division.
Some hobbies I enjoy include music, sports, collecting Starbucks mugs,and traveling.
God has blessed me with the most wonderful wife in the world, Jeanne, who has survived 29 years of marriage to me! We have four adult children - 2 daughters and 2 sons - who are all in their 20's. Our two daughters are both married to wonderful young men and our oldest daughter and son-in-law have one child, Isaias Abram, who is the apple of his grandpa's eye! I am truly blessed to have a caring and loving Christian family.

My wife and I were blessed to be able to go to Mexico City for one week in 2008 and participate in a variety of ministry opportunities during our time there. I am very excited about the opportunity we will have to share the love and grace of God with those we come in contact with in South Africa. I am also excited to experience ministry in a setting completely different from anything I've experienced to this point in my officership. I am looking forward to what God will do in my own life as I seek to serve Him through my participation in this mission trip.

I currently serve as the Divisional Women’s Ministry Secretary for The Salvation Army Intermountain Division. I have been in Denver for just over three years. In my current position, I am responsible for the oversight of The Women’s Ministries programs of The Salvation Army in the Intermountain Division.

God has given to my husband and me four children. They have been a blessing and an important part of our ministry. Michelle, Melissa, Jeremy, and Jon. I have a super family!

I am a student at Nazarene Bible College, working towards a degree in Leadership and Ethics. This will be an excellent enhancement and support in my role as Leader, Administrator and most importantly, servant of God. In my free time, I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, playing the guitar, and painting. I am also a Grandmother for the first time!

I have been to Mexico City on a mission trip. My heart was stirred as I visited with the officers and families, as well as visited with them in their neighborhoods, seeing their ministry and taking part in their mission.

This trip to South Africa will no doubt grip my heart and mind as well as we meet the people and share in their lives, even for such a short time. A verse of scripture which I will take with me is this: "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our heart, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives." Galatians 5:25 The Message.

Our Mission Trip Logo

This is the logo that the team will be wearing while in South Africa. It was created by Erik Dabis, the Intermountain Divisional Music Director. As team member Paul Brewster said, "It represents more than just a logo, but something that will be a keepsake for the blessing God has in store for our group and those we will serve".

Countdown to South Africa!

Hello and welcome to the Mission South Africa blog! The official countdown for the trip has begun! In ten days the team will be grabbing their bags and heading to the airport for the long trek to South Africa. I believe I speak for everyone on the team when I say that we are excited, anxious, and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for this wonderful opportunity we've been given.

Over the next several days I'll be posting "bios" of each team member. We are a diverse group with many different talents and we each want to be used by God on this Mission Trip. Philippians 2:1-2 says "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose".

Today we ask that you pray for us to be united as a team, like-minded in love, spirit and purpose that we may be used for God's glory.

Thanks for visiting our blog and make sure to check back tomorrow!

Michelle