Divisional Spotlight: NEOSA Division
by Colonel Richard Munn
Edging all the way up to the shore of Lake Erie and even the USA Central Territory is the large Northeast Ohio Division, more frequently referenced as the NEOSA Division. It is a powerhouse.
The region has a renowned industrial manufacturing base and includes the gritty city of Cleveland and both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all high-energy, muscular, and tough images. And yet, here also is the devout simplicity of Ohio Amish country, the lauded Cleveland Clinic, and a vibrant arts and theater district.
Embodying the region’s reputation for warm hospitality and close sense of community, The Salvation Army is beloved and respected, present amid intensely urban blocks and isolated rural farmland. Here we find the Ashland Kroc Center, the Cleveland Harbor Light Center, and beloved Camp NEOSA. Well-attended divisional events are characterized by a family-friendly atmosphere and hearty gospel singing. It is contagious.
On the factory floor of this boiler house command, superintending, sweating, and stoking the fire, are Majors Jim and Tricia Brennan, divisional leaders. SAconnects interrupted their shift for a special interview, to get you, our faithful readers, the story behind the story.
What are your divisional statistics: number of corps, senior and junior soldiers, officers, employees?
- 34 corps
- 2,381 senior soldiers
- 441 junior soldiers
- 73 officers
- 501 employees
Click to view full breakdown of the Northeast Ohio Division.
How would you describe the personality of your division?
To use a slogan from the past, this division is the essence of “Heart to God, Hand to Man.” The people of Ohio, the staff, and certainly our soldiers and officers, are here to help those who need physical, emotional, and spiritual assistance.
What is the geographic and cultural terrain of the division?
Though predominantly Christian, Ohio also has a wide range of beliefs and characteristics. There is a significant corporate and manufacturing infrastructure and a large agricultural industry in our rural areas, allowing for farm-to-table benefits. We host museums, performing arts, Metroparks, and a booming restaurant scene, while also having world-renowned hospitals. The area has a distinctly Midwest worldview where the pace of life is a little slower, people are kind, where philanthropy thrives and the spirit of community pervades.
What especially notable expressions of ministry exist within the command?
With over 100 service units in the division, 34 corps that include five shelters, a Kroc Center, a drop-in center for victims of human trafficking, as well as an adult drop-in center for adults with disabilities, we are meeting needs and blessing others in a multitude of ways. We also have a one-of-a-kind 49-9 Project that helps inmates from across the state transition back into society.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Each day around the division, those who call our corps their church and our employee personnel bring our mission to life. Many of our staff will never meet those we serve but rather work in areas critical to our success. These everyday champions include people who ensure our buildings and grounds are safe to enter, our HR and payroll team that keeps our benefits in order, those in Finance who ensure that our financials are where they need to be, our technology team that ensures we can function and communicate with each other, and our development team that share our service to others with donors who support our mission of good. At the heart, our soldiers and friends embody the very best of Salvationism and faithfulness.
What is God up to in the division these days?
After years of comprehensive planning and fundraising, our division will be hosting two dedication ceremonies in 2026 as we open newly built corps buildings in Mount Vernon and Wadsworth, Ohio. These new facilities will allow us to serve in His name with greater efficiency, reach, and scope. NEOSA is also blessed with incredible youth programs.
Any final insights or thoughts for our readers?
It could be that many in the Eastern Territory don’t know much about the NEOSA Division. With it being the western edge of the territory, it is not like our more central counterparts. We are a beautiful mix of culture and industry, with charm and beautiful countryside. NEOSA has a rich history, a distinct Christian-centered morality, access to lakes and rivers, and all the offerings of big cities and quaint towns. It is a perfect balance, and a true portrait of all that God’s creation can offer. It is a place we are pleased to call home.
How can we all pray for the division?
Pray for the unspoken needs that we know exist in each person in this division. Everyone is dealing with something that is weighing on their hearts. Pray for peace, comfort, and guidance as they navigate those troubling situations. Pray for our children, that they may bear witness to what kindness toward others looks like and let them be moved to choose kindness in their own lives.
Thank you, Jim and Tricia. We all delight at the proven productivity of the command. NEOSA is a force for the territory. You can count on our support, cheering you on, as we co-labor alongside you.
