Education Tours
Eligible Officers and soldiers may seek approval to attend annual education tours.
The 2026 tour will be to Greece and give pilgrims the opportunity to visit cities where Paul preached.
*Tours are exclusively for Salvation Army Officers and soldiers.*
Leadership
Major Lydia Pearson
Major Lydia Pearson was born and raised in Geneva, NY. After high school, Major Pearson obtained an AAS in Christian Ministry from Houghton College, followed by a BS in Christian Education from Nyack College and an MA in Adult Education from Teachers College-Columbia University.
Major Pearson has been an officer for 39 years, serving as Territorial Education Secretary since 2020. Previous assignments have included Springfield, MA; Trenton, NJ; Jamaica Queens, NY; Suffern, NY; Cleveland, OH; Albany, NY; and Bridgeport, CT.
Ministry in The Salvation Army has allowed Major Pearson to travel for ministry and vacation. In 2010, she completed her childhood goal of visiting all 50 states. She has also traveled to 25 countries. Major Pearson especially enjoys visiting US national parks and witnessing God’s great creation. Major Pearson welcomes any opportunity to preach God’s Word and encourage His people.
Major Dwayne Barnes
Major Dwayne Barnes was born and raised in Guyana, South America. After high school, he obtained an AAS in Business Administration from Queensborough Community College, followed by a BS in Organizational Management from Nyack College, an MA in leadership and an MA in Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health Services from Capella University.
Major Barnes has been an officer for 16 years, serving as Assistant Education Secretary from 2023. Previous assignments have included Harlem, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Manhattan, NY; Nyack and Hamilton; Bermuda.
Major Barnes’ ministry in The Salvation Army has not only been a source of spiritual fulfillment but has also provided him with unique travel opportunities. In 2015 and 2017, he was invited to Congo, Brazzaville, as a guest for their Holiness Convention and Youth Summit. These experiences, he claims, have been transformative, pushing him to extend his reach to humanity on a larger scale and enriching his calling.
Carlos Velasquez- Education and Graphic Layout Specialist
Carlos Velasquez has served in the Education Department for over 35 years, assisting officers, officers’ children, employees, and soldiers in the pursuit of their education goals. He is responsible for processing applications related to financial aid such as Officers’ Education Grants, Officer’s Children Scholarship Grants, Graduate Corps Cadet Grants, New York Staff Band Scholarships. He is also the departments graphic designer. He also assists with the educational tours to Greece/Turkey and Israel and has developed strong relationships with officers because of his interaction with them. He is committed to The Army’s mission and serving the officers in any way he can.
Mr. Velasquez is originally from Peru and love to travels internationally. At Territorial Headquarters he is known for his Christmas decorating skills and is often asked to decorate various sections of the building.
Angela Suarez- Administrative Assistant
Since 2003, Angela Suarez has provided administrative support to the Education Department. She is involved with details related to all of the department’s events – communicating with Command Heads, creating delegate lists and name badges, and much more. Mrs. Suarez also orders books for A/Captain and Envoy classes, and Army Essentials classes for first-year lieutenants.
Mrs. Suarez is a native New Yorker, raised in Queens and currently living in Monroe (Orange County). She and her husband are the proud parents of two adult daughters and grandparents of five. She loves watching soccer, MLS and International teams.
Leadership
Major Lydia Pearson
Major Lydia Pearson was born and raised in Geneva, NY. After high school, Major Pearson obtained an AAS in Christian Ministry from Houghton College, followed by a BS in Christian Education from Nyack College and an MA in Adult Education from Teachers College-Columbia University.
Major Pearson has been an officer for 39 years, serving as Territorial Education Secretary since 2020. Previous assignments have included Springfield, MA; Trenton, NJ; Jamaica Queens, NY; Suffern, NY; Cleveland, OH; Albany, NY; and Bridgeport, CT.
Ministry in The Salvation Army has allowed Major Pearson to travel for ministry and vacation. In 2010, she completed her childhood goal of visiting all 50 states. She has also traveled to 25 countries. Major Pearson especially enjoys visiting US national parks and witnessing God’s great creation. Major Pearson welcomes any opportunity to preach God’s Word and encourage His people.
Major Dwayne Barnes
Major Dwayne Barnes was born and raised in Guyana, South America. After high school, he obtained an AAS in Business Administration from Queensborough Community College, followed by a BS in Organizational Management from Nyack College, an MA in leadership and an MA in Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health Services from Capella University.
Major Barnes has been an officer for 16 years, serving as Assistant Education Secretary from 2023. Previous assignments have included Harlem, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Manhattan, NY; Nyack, and Hamilton; Bermuda.
Major Barnes’ ministry in The Salvation Army has not only been a source of spiritual fulfillment but has also provided him with unique travel opportunities. In 2015 and 2017, he was invited to Congo, Brazzaville, as a guest for their Holiness Convention and Youth Summit. These experiences, he claims, have been transformative, pushing him to extend his reach to humanity on a larger scale and enriching his calling.
Carlos Velasquez- Education and Graphic Layout Specialist
Carlos Velasquez has served in the Education Department for over 35 years, assisting officers, officers’ children, employees, and soldiers in the pursuit of their education goals. He is responsible for processing applications related to financial aid such as Officers’ Education Grants, Officer’s Children Scholarship Grants, Graduate Corps Cadet Grants, New York Staff Band Scholarships. He is also the departments graphic designer. He also assists with the educational tours to Greece/Turkey and Israel and has developed strong relationships with officers because of his interaction with them. He is committed to The Army’s mission and serving the officers in any way he can.
Mr. Velasquez is originally from Peru and love to travels internationally. At Territorial Headquarters he is known for his Christmas decorating skills and is often asked to decorate various sections of the building.
Angela Suarez- Administrative Assistant
Since 2003, Angela Suarez has provided administrative support to the Education Department. She is involved with details related to all of the department’s events – communicating with Command Heads, creating delegate lists and name badges, and much more. Mrs. Suarez also orders books for A/Captain and Envoy classes, and Army Essentials classes for first-year lieutenants.
Mrs. Suarez is a native New Yorker, raised in Queens and currently living in Monroe (Orange County). She and her husband are the proud parents of two adult daughters and grandparents of five. She loves watching soccer, MLS and International teams.
Lifelong Learning
Continuing Education Program
In June 2013, the Eastern Territory launched a collaborative relationship with Asbury University to conduct a continuing Education Program. During their five years, lieutenants must earn 30 academic credits to be promoted to Captain. Upon completion of the continuing Education Program, officers may elect to submit a degree proposal to the necessary councils for consideration.
Auxiliary Captain and Envoy Training
A/Captains and Envoys participate in three online classes each year focused on the Bible, Doctrine, Preaching and Teaching.
10, 20, & 30-Year Renewal Enrichment Convocation
Every year, The Education Department holds a three-day Seminar for officers who have completed 10, 20, and 30 years of Ministry. The seminar focuses on flourishing in Ministry, holiness, longevity in mission, etc.
Preaching Seminar
The Preaching Seminary is held at Asbury Theological Seminary. Under the instruction of professors at Asbury Theological Seminary, officers learn about different aspects of preaching. They also have the opportunity to preach in small groups and receive feedback from their peers and seminary staff.
Pastoral Counseling Seminar
The counseling seminar is held at Crestview Conference Center at Territorial Headquarters. Using the book Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, officers learn how to help their counselees discover a solution and put it in motion speedily and productively. The goal is healthy change by supporting the counselee to see and work on the solution with God’s activity already present in their life.
News
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This 10-part series will look at bold written exhortations from William, Catherine, Bramwell, Herbert, and [...]
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BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
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BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
The very earliest days of the Christian Mission, and then The Salvation Army, were decidedly [...]
BY COMMISSIONER RALPH BUKIEWICZ
As we look ahead to activities and events this fall, we know that many in our nation will choose to [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
In 1878 something magnificent happened when the Christian Mission became The Salvation Army. After 13 years of unremarkable progress, the dramatic change [...]
BY LT. COLONEL CINDY-LOU DRUMMOND
Independence! Freedom! These two words hold tremendous power and significance—for teenagers and for countries. [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
The earliest years of The Salvation Army in the USA featured an evolving and bumpy understanding between command headquarters and [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
“Preach for a decision!”
So went the clear sermon instruction, rigorously imprinted on our hearts and minds as cadets. For an [...]
Tuition Discount Partners
Free classes – cityvisioninstitute.org
Degree Programs – cityvision.edu
University link – phoenix.edu/usaeast
University link – ohiochristian.edu
Scholarship of $250-$500 per semester
University link – messiah.edu
Messiah University and The Salvation Army—Eastern Territory have joined forces to enhance educational opportunities. This partnership offers a 15% discount to partner employees, their spouses, and dependents who are accepted into a Master’s or Doctoral degree program, graduate certificate, or certificate in advance graduate studies (Post-Master degree certificates from one of the programs listed).
Resources
