Divisional Spotlight: Empire State
by Colonel Richard Munn
As befits the name of the state and the division, the Empire State Division is a geographically vast area, with small, tight-knit rural communities punctuated by numerous old gritty industrial cities. The lengthy journey across the New York State Thruway is like a trip through the pages of the USA East Dispo — Albany, Utica, Rome, Oneida, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, all in one long line. From Jamestown to Plattsburgh is about 450 miles of driving. Next stop, Canada.
The rewards, however, are magnificent — the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Finger Lakes, and of course, the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. Throw in the historic Erie Canal and the Baseball Hall of Fame and you have truly international attractions and beauty, again, on an impressive scale.
The Empire State Division includes the much-loved Long Point Camp and Retreat Center, a treasured relationship with Houghton College, and a legacy of strong divisional musical forces. On the brunt of frigid winters and lake-effect snow, Empire Salvationists have a deserved reputation for endurance and simply showing up when the less hardy would stay home.
At the helm of this command are Majors Cheriann and Kevin Stoops, divisional leaders. SAconnects managed to catch up with them in between crisscrossing the division, to get you, our readers, the story behind the story.
What are your divisional statistics: number of corps, senior and junior soldiers, officers, employees?
- 40 corps
- 2,645 senior soldiers
- 1,110 junior soldiers
- 84 officers
- 485 employees
Click to view full breakdown of the Empire State Division.
How would you describe the personality of your division?
The personality of this expansive division is a tenacious resilience to mission — the Great Commission and the Salvation Army mission. With very little resources our soldiers and officers remain mission focused.
What is the geographic and cultural terrain of the division?
Empire is a vast region extending from the border of Massachusetts to the east, and the border of Pennsylvania to the south and west, then to the Canadian border to the north.
We are blessed with the glory of God’s creation with the gorges of Ithaca, the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, the Great Lakes and the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, and the Grand Canyon of the East — Letchworth State Park. Then we have the stunning beauty of the Adirondack Forest filled with lakes, falls, and hiking trails. The culture is a few midsize cities nestled into the very rural landscape.
We are an economically poor region with some of the largest areas of poverty in the nation.
What especially notable expressions of ministry exist within the command?
Our four bigger cities — Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Jamestown — all have a large shelter mission. Every corps has some form of hunger reduction activity.
We are reclaiming our youth following a steep downturn during COVID with music/arts instruction, camp, and youth discipleship.
What brings you the greatest joy?
There is no greater joy in Empire than seeing young people come to faith. Last year 90% of our campers at Long Point made a decision to accept Jesus as Savior. This brings a great deal of hope to the division and to the future.
What is God up to in the division these days?
In response to our prayers, God is breathing into the valley of dry bones and raising up a vast Army. New leaders, new soldiers, new buildings, new equipment, new opportunities are the reality.
Any final insights or thoughts for our readers?
When people think of New York, they often only consider New York City with its hustle and bustle, large crowds, and diversity. This is New York, but different, with open spaces, natural beauty, and no traffic. However, there is the same need for a Savior, and we are all about the mission of The Salvation Army.
How can we all pray for the division?
Leaders — our corps need soldier leaders; the sharing of the mission is a key to our moving from surviving to thriving.
Healthy corps with a Bible-centered ethos — beginning with our youngest, we want an intentional discipling approach to mission. Out of a spiritually healthy community, we will raise modern-day warriors, leaders for the work, and candidates for the future.
Funding for the Mission — internal and external funding of the mission to increase. The costs of the mission continue to rise without a corresponding influx of resources. Raising up tithing soldiers is an imperative as well as identifying new sources of community support for the work.
Thank you, Cheriann and Kevin — God is clearly blessing you all in the great work of the Kingdom in a great area. Be sure of our interest and support. An army is praying for you.
