Leaders of Mankato Salvation Army leaving for St. Cloud
Mankato, Minn. – Captains Mike and Cindy Parker have led the Mankato for the past seven years. Later this month, they will leave Mankato to take over The Salvation Army in St. Cloud, Minn.
“We enjoyed our stay in Mankato,” said Major Mike Parker. “We’ve been blessed to spend so many years here and we’re going to miss all of our friends and family. But we’re not going far – just 100 miles north.”
The St. Cloud Salvation Army will be a different type of appointment for the Parkers. The facility includes a large homeless shelter and a hot meal program that serves hundreds of people every day.
“It’s going to be a change and a challenge,” said Major Parker. “We’re looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us.”
The Parkers are familiar with the St. Cloud area, having previously served in nearby Fergus Falls. They’ll be taking over for Majors Lee and Melody Morrison, who are retiring.
“On June 26 we’ll hit the road and head to Escanaba, Mich.,” Major Lee Morrison said with a smile. “We really enjoy it there and that’s where we plan to spend our retirement years.”
The Morrisons leave behind a great legacy in St. Cloud; they were instrumental in establishing a successful hot meal program called PhilanthroFeed in which local businesses sponsor a meal every day.
Majors Jonathan and Linda Fjellman will replace the Parkers in Mankato after leading The Salvation Army in Grand Forks, N.D., for several years. The Fjellmans look forward to serving in Mankato.
All of the officers will move and start their new appointments at the end of June.
Additionally, Captains Mike and Cindy will move up in the ranks and have been promoted to Majors.