US mission team support Salvation Army's work in Dublin

A group of young US missionaries have been working with The Salvation Army in Dublin to help people affected by homelessness.

The group of six young people (aged 18-24) are from the Salvationist Service Corps (SSC) in the church and charity's Southern US Territory. It’s a programme that gives young people the chance to work in locations around the world.

The young adults were chosen based on recommendations from their church and youth leaders, spiritual maturity and willingness to go and serve wherever they are sent. 

During their two-week stay in Dublin – and their first visit to Ireland - the team have been working in the Salvation Army's four social centres (known as lifehouses) and two community churches.

Zach Perez is the leader of the mission team and says he’s been inspired by the creativity of The Salvation Army’s ministry and social work in Dublin.

The 21-year-old, from Georgia in said: “It’s been an honour to be in Dublin and be involved in all aspects of the Salvation Army’s work. It’s very different from back home where it is very traditional, in terms of church and services, whereas here they have to be very creative to tackle problems such as ministering to a community that is quite diverse.

“The church leaders here get out into the community and meet the need, which is what the Salvation Army was founded for in the first place. It’s been a joy to be a part of that. I’ve learned things I can take back home.

Bernita Benjamin, from South Carolina, said her church had raised over 500 Euros towards her mission trip. The 20-year-old said:

“I joined the SSC to experience different things, step out of my comfort zone, help others and do mission work for The Salvation Army."

“Being in Dublin has been a lot different from what I’m used to. I’ve really enjoyed working with the youth. I enjoyed talking to different people, especially people in the residential centres. We got to do devotion with them as well as have prayer time and encourage them.”

Captain Tim Lennox, who runs The Salvation Army’s Dublin City church (corps) with his wife Charlotte, has been providing the young people with a range of mission opportunities and praised the group for making the most of their trip.

Tim said: “With the work in Dublin being developed we wanted the team to come out and help us with that work. We heard the team were going to be sent somewhere in The Salvation Army’s UK and Ireland territory so we jumped straight in and asked for them to be sent here.

“They team have been really enthusiastic. They’ve worked with local families, doing things like fun days, park ministry, which has been a lot of fun, and supporting service users at our family centres and centres for people overcoming homelessness.”